National Licence Conversion
Aircrew Regulation Annex II details conditions for the conversion of existing National licences and ratings for aeroplanes and helicopters. The following information details the conversion of aeroplane licences
A pilot licence issued by the UK CAA in accordance with the national requirements shall be converted into a Part-FCL licence provided that the applicant complies with the following requirements:
(a) for ATPL(A) and CPL(A), complete as a proficiency check the revalidation requirements of Part-FCL for type/class and instrument rating, relevant to the privileges of the licence held
(b) demonstrate knowledge of the relevant parts of the operational requirements and Part-FCL
(c) demonstrate language proficiency in accordance with FCL.055
(d) comply with the requirements set out in the following table
National Licence Held |
Total Flying |
Any Further Requirements |
Replacement |
Removal of Conditions |
|
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
|
| ATPL(A) | > 1500 as PIC on MPA | None | ATPL(A) | Not applicable | (a) |
| ATPL(A) | >1500 on MPA | None | As in (c)(4) | As in (c)(5) | (b) |
| ATPL(A) | >500 on MPA | Demonstrate knowledge of flight planning and performance as required by FCL.515 | ATPL(A) with type rating restricted to co-pilot | Demonstrate ability to act as PIC as required by Appendix 9 to Part-FCL | (c) |
| CPL/IR(A) and passed an ICAO ATPL theory test in the Member State of licence issue | (i) Demonstrate knowledge of flight planning and performance as required by FCL.310 and FCL.615(b) (ii) Meet remaining requirements of FCL.720.A(c) |
CPL/IR(A) with ATPL theory credit | Not applicable | (d) |
|
| CPL/IR(A) | >500 on MPA or in MP operations on SPA CS-23 commuter category or equivalent iaw the relevant requirements of Part-CAT and Part-ORO for commercial air transport | (i) Pass examination for ATPL(A) knowledge in the Member State of licence issue (see note) (ii) Meet remaining requirements of FCL.720.A(c) |
ATPL theory credit | (e) |
|
| CPL/IR(A) | >500 as PIC on SPA | None | CPL/IR(A) with type/class ratings restricted to SPA | Obtain MP type rating iaw Part-FCL | (f) |
| CPL/IR(A) | <500 as PIC on SPA | Demonstrate knowledge of flight planning and flight performance for CPL/IR level | As in (4)(f) | As in (5)(f) | (g) |
| CPL(A) | >500 as PIC on SPA | Night rating, if applicable | CPL(A) with type/class ratings restricted to SPA | (h) |
|
| CPL(A) | <500 as PIC on SPA | (i) Night rating, if applicable (ii) Demonstrate knowledge of flight planning and performance as required by FCL.310 |
As in (4)(h) | (i) |
|
| PPL/IR(A) | >75 iaw IFR | PPL/IR(A), the IR restricted to PPL | Demonstrate knowledge of flight performance and planning as required by FCL.615(b) | (j) |
|
| PPL(A) | >70 on aeroplanes | Demonstrate the use of radio navigation aids | PPL(A) | (k) |
|
| NPPL(A) | Meet the requirements as set out in CAP 804, Section 4, Part P | LAPL(A) | (l) |
||
| NPPL(A) | Meet the requirements as set out in CAP 804, Section 4, Part P | PPL(A) | (m) |
Note: CPL holders already holding a type rating for a multi-pilot aeroplane are not required to have passed an examination for ATPL(A) theoretical knowledge whilst they continue to operate that same aeroplane type, but will not be given ATPL(A) theory credit for a Part-FCL licence. If they require another type rating for a different multi-pilot aeroplane, they must comply with column (3), row (e)(i) of the above table
Abbreviations:
MPA = Multi-Pilot Aeroplanes, MP = Multi-Pilot, SPA = Single-Pilot Aeroplanes, PIC = Pilot In Command, IAW = In Accordance With
ICAO Licence Conversions
Regulation 2020/723 sets out the requirements for conversion of ICAO Licences to a Part-FCL licence. The following articles within the regulation cover this process:
Article 3 - Acceptance of licences from third countries
Article 4 - General provisions for validation of licences
Article 5 - Pilot licences for commercial air transport and other commercial activities (refer to table below for experience required)
Article 6 - Pilot licences for non-commercial activities with an instrument rating
Article 7 - Pilot licences for non-commercial activities without an instrument rating
Article 8 - Validation of pilot licences for specific tasks of limited duration
Article 9 - Conditions for conversion of licences
Licence held |
Total flying hours experience |
Privileges |
|
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
|
ATPL(A) |
>1500 hours as PIC on multi-pilot aeroplanes |
Commercial air transport in multi-pilot aeroplanes as PIC |
(a) |
ATPL(A) or CPL(A)/IR* |
>1500 hours as PIC or co-pilot on multi-pilot aeroplanes according to operational requirements |
Commercial air transport in multi-pilot aeroplanes as co-pilot |
(b) |
MPL |
>1500 hours as co-pilot on multi-pilot aeroplanes according to operational requirements |
Commercial air transport in multi-pilot aeroplanes as co-pilot |
(ba) |
CPL(A)/IR |
>1000 hours as PIC in commercial air transport since gaining an IR |
Commercial air transport in single-pilot aeroplanes as PIC |
(c) |
CPL(A)/IR |
>1000 hours as PIC or as co-pilot in single-pilot aeroplanes according to operational requirements |
Commercial air transport in single-pilot aeroplanes as co-pilot according to operational requirements |
(d) |
| ATPL(A), CPL(A)/IR, CPL(A) | >700 hours in aeroplanes, including 200 hours in the activity role for which acceptance is sought, and 50 hours in that role in the last 12 months |
Exercise of privileges in aeroplanes in operations other than commercial air transport |
(e) |
CPL(A) |
>1500 hours as PIC in commercial air transport including 500 hours on seaplane operations |
Commercial air transport in single-pilot aeroplanes as PIC |
(f) |
*CPL(A)/IR holders on multi-pilot aeroplanes shall have demonstrated ICAO ATPL(A) level knowledge before acceptance
An Alternative Means of Compliance and Guidance Material has been published by the UK CAA in CAP 804, Section 4, Part Q, Subpart 2. These arrangements provide a route to a UK CAA-issued Part-FCL CPL(A) or (H) , IR(A) or (H) and/or Flight Instructor Certificates (A) or (H), qualification for the holders of a current and valid ICAO CPL(A) or (H), IR(A) or (H) and/or ICAO Flight Instructor Rating (A) or (H), as applicable, issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1
Article 10 - Conditions for acceptance of class and type ratings
A valid class or type rating contained in a licence issued by a ICAO country may be inserted in a licence issued in accordance with Part-FCL, provided that the applicant:
(a) complies with the experience requirements and the prerequisites for the issue of the applicable type or class rating in accordance with Part-FCL
(b) passes the relevant skill test for the issue of the applicable type or class rating in accordance with Part-FCL
(c) is in current flying practice
(d) has no less than:
(i) for aeroplane class ratings, 100 hours of flight experience as a pilot in that class
(ii) for aeroplane type ratings, 500 hours of flight experience as a pilot in that type
(iii) for single-engine helicopters with a maximum certificated take-off mass of up to 3175 kg, 100 hours of flight experience as a pilot in that type
(iv) for all other helicopters, 350 hours of flight experience as a pilot in that type
Queries
Any further queries or guidance should be addressed to fclweb@caa.co.uk