FCL.725 Requirements for the issue of class and type ratings

(a)     Training course. An applicant for a class or type rating shall complete a training course at an ATO. An applicant for a non-high-performance single-engine piston class rating, a TMG class rating or a single-engine type rating for helicopters referred to in point DTO.GEN.110(a)(2)(c) of Annex VIII (Part-DTO) may complete the training course at a DTO. The type rating training course shall include the mandatory training elements for the relevant type as defined in the operational suitability data established in accordance with Annex I (Part-21) to Commission Regulation (EU) No 748/2012.

(b)     Theoretical knowledge examination. The applicant for a class or type rating shall pass a theoretical knowledge examination organised by the ATO to demonstrate the level of theoretical knowledge required for the safe operation of the applicable aircraft class or type.

(1)     For multi-pilot aircraft, the theoretical knowledge examination shall be written and comprise at least 100 multiple-choice questions distributed appropriately across the main subjects of the syllabus.

(2)     For single-pilot multi-engine aircraft, the theoretical knowledge examination shall be written and the number of multiple-choice questions shall depend on the complexity of the aircraft.

(3)     For single-engine aircraft, the theoretical knowledge examination shall be conducted verbally by the examiner during the skill test to determine whether or not a satisfactory level of knowledge has been achieved.

(4)     For single-pilot aeroplanes that are classified as high performance aeroplanes, the examination shall be written and comprise at least 100 multiple-choice questions distributed appropriately across the subjects of the syllabus.

(5)     For single-pilot single-engine and single-pilot multi-engine aeroplanes (sea), the examination shall be in a written form and shall comprise at least 30 multiple-choice questions.

(c)      Skill test. An applicant for a class or type rating shall pass a skill test in accordance with Appendix 9 to this Part to demonstrate the skill required for the safe operation of the applicable class or type of aircraft.

The applicant shall pass the skill test within a period of 6 months after commencement of the class or type rating training course and within a period of 6 months preceding the application for the issue of the class or type rating.

(d)     Single-pilot and multi-pilot operation

(1)     A pilot who already holds a type rating for an aircraft type, with the privilege for either single-pilot or multi-pilot operations, shall be considered to have already fulfilled the theoretical requirements when applying to add the privilege for the other form of operation on the same aircraft type.

(2)               Such a pilot shall complete additional flight training for the other form of operation in the relevant type in accordance with Appendix 9 to this Annex, unless specified otherwise in the operational suitability data established in accordance with Annex I (Part 21) to Commission Regulation (EU) No 748/2012. This training shall be completed at either of the following:

(i)      an ATO;

(ii)     an organisation to which Annex III (Part-ORO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 applies and that is entitled to provide such training on the basis of either an approval or, in the case of single-pilot helicopters, a declaration.

(3)     Except for single-pilot helicopters, the form of operation shall be entered in the licence.

(4)              In the case of single-pilot helicopters, all of the following shall apply:

(i)               In the case where a skill test or a proficiency check for a non-complex single-pilot helicopter type rating was completed in multi-pilot operations only, a restriction to multi-pilot operation shall be endorsed with the type rating in the licence. This endorsement shall be removed when the applicant completes a proficiency check that included the necessary elements for single-pilot operation as specified in Appendix 9 to this Annex.

(ii)     In all other cases, the form of operation shall not be entered in the licence. The pilot is entitled to exercise the privileges of the type rating:

(A)               in single-pilot operation, provided that the skill test or proficiency check either:

(1)     was completed in single-pilot operation; or

(2)     was completed in multi-pilot operation and contained additional elements for single-pilot operation, as specified in Appendix 9 to this Annex.

(B)     in multi-pilot operation under all of the following conditions:

(1)              the pilot complies with point FCL.720.H(a)(2);

(2)              the privileges are exercised in accordance with Annex III (Part-ORO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 only;

(3)     the skill test or proficiency check was completed in multi-pilot operation.

(e)     Notwithstanding the paragraphs above, pilots holding a flight test rating issued in accordance with FCL.820 who were involved in development, certification or production flight tests for an aircraft type, and have completed either 50 hours of total flight time or 10 hours of flight time as PIC on test flights in that type, shall be entitled to apply for the issue of the relevant type rating, provided that they comply with the experience requirements and the prerequisites for the issue of that type rating, as established in this Subpart for the relevant aircraft category.

(f)      Applicants for a class rating for TMGs who also hold an SPL in accordance with Annex III (Part‑SFCL) to Commission Implementing Regulation (EU) 2018/1976, including the privileges to fly on TMGs, shall receive full credits towards the requirements in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c).