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 SEP aeroplane 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) to this Regulation 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 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- and multi-pilot operations in single-pilot aircraft – type ratings

(1)     The privileges of holders of a type rating for a single-pilot aircraft include the privileges to fly the aircraft in single-pilot operations and multi-pilot operations. However, such holders shall exercise those privileges for a particular form of operation only if they comply with all of the following:

(i)      they have successfully completed flight training for the relevant form of operation in the relevant aircraft 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 Regulation (EU) No 748/2012. That flight training for a particular form of operation shall either be included in the initial type rating training course at an ATO or, following the initial issuance of the type rating, be completed in the form of additional training at either of the following:

(A)     an ATO;

(B)     an organisation that is subject to Annex III (Part-ORO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012 and that is entitled to provide such training on the basis of either an approval or a declaration;

(ii)     they have completed a skill test or a proficiency check:

(A)     for single-pilot operations in one of the following ways:

(1)     in single-pilot operations;

(2)     in multi-pilot operations with additional elements for single-pilot operations as specified in Appendix 9;

(B)     for multi-pilot operations, in multi-pilot operations.

(iii)     additionally, in the case of multi-pilot operations in single-pilot aircraft:

(A)     they meet the requirements that are specified in:

(1)     point FCL.720.A(b)(4) or point FCL.720.H(a)(2), as applicable;

(2)     point FCL.720.A(b)(5), for single-pilot aeroplanes, before starting flight training for multi-pilot operations in accordance with point FCL.725(d)(1)(i);

(B)     they exercise their privileges only at an organisation that is subject to Annex III (Part-ORO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012.

(2)     When applicants for the initial issue of a type rating for a single-pilot aircraft complete the flight training and the skill test in multi-pilot operations only, the type rating shall be issued with a restriction to multi-pilot operations. That restriction shall be removed when applicants complete, in accordance with Appendix 9, additional training and a proficiency check that include the necessary elements for single-pilot operations.

In all other cases, the form of operation shall not be entered onto the licence.

(da)   Single- and multi-pilot operations – aeroplane class ratings

The privileges of holders of a class rating for a single-pilot aeroplane include the privileges to fly the aeroplane in multi-pilot operations, provided that such holders:

(1)     comply with the requirements set out in:

(i)      point FCL.720.A(b)(4);

(ii)     point FCL.720.A(b)(5), before starting flight training for multi-pilot operations in accordance with point FCL.725(da)(2);

(2)     have completed flight training and passed a proficiency check for multi-pilot operations in the relevant aeroplane class in accordance with Section B, point 5(g), of Appendix 9 at an organisation that is specified in point FCL.725(d)(1)(i); and

(3)     exercise their privileges only at an organisation that is subject to Annex III (Part-ORO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012.

Additional privileges for multi-pilot operations in a single-pilot aeroplane class shall not be entered onto the licence.

(db)   If a skill test or proficiency check for a single-pilot aircraft class or type rating is conducted in either of the following, the form or forms of operation in which that skill test or a proficiency check is conducted shall be entered in the logbook of the applicants and signed by the examiner:

(1)     multi-pilot operations;

(2)     single-pilot and multi-pilot operations.

(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).