FCL.720.A Experience requirements and prerequisites for the issue of class or type ratings – aeroplanes

Unless otherwise determined in the operational suitability data established in accordance with Annex I (Part-21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012 (OSD), applicants for the issue of a class or type rating shall comply with the following experience requirements and prerequisites for the issue of the relevant rating:

(a)     Single-pilot aeroplanes

Applicants for the initial issue of privileges to operate a single-pilot aeroplane in multi-pilot operations, either when applying for the issue of a class or type rating or when extending the privileges of a class or type rating already held to multi-pilot operation, shall meet the requirements in point (b)(4) and, before starting the relevant training course, point (b)(5).

Additionally, for:

(1)     Single-pilot multi-engine aeroplanes

Applicants for the issue of a first class or type rating on a single-pilot multi-engine aeroplane shall have completed at least 70 hours as PIC in aeroplanes.

(2)     Single-pilot high-performance non-complex aeroplanes

Before starting flight training, applicants for the issue of a class or type rating for a single-pilot aeroplane classified as a high-performance aeroplane shall:

(i)      have at least 200 hours of total flying experience, of which 70 hours as PIC in aeroplanes; and

(ii)     comply with one of the following requirements:

(A)     hold a certificate of satisfactory completion of a course for additional theoretical knowledge undertaken at an ATO; or

(B)     have passed the ATPL(A) theoretical knowledge examinations in accordance with this Annex (Part-FCL); or

(C)     hold, in addition to a licence issued in accordance with this Annex (Part-FCL), an ATPL(A) or CPL(A)/IR with theoretical knowledge credit for ATPL(A), issued in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention.

(3)     Single-pilot high-performance complex aeroplanes

Applicants for the issue of a type rating for a complex single-pilot aeroplane classified as a high-performance aeroplane shall, in addition to meeting the requirements in point (2), comply with all of the following:

(i)      they shall hold or have held a single- or multi-engine IR(A), as appropriate and as established in Subpart G;

(ii)     for the issue of the first type rating, they shall, before starting the type rating training course, meet the requirements in point (b)(5).

(b)     Applicants for the issue of the first type rating for a multi-pilot aeroplane shall be student pilots currently undergoing training on an MPL training course or shall, before starting the type rating training course, comply with the following requirements:

(1)     have at least 70 hours of flight experience as PIC in aeroplanes;

(2)     hold or have held a multi-engine IR(A);

(3)     have passed the ATPL(A) theoretical knowledge examinations in accordance with this Annex (Part-FCL);

(4)     except when the type rating course is combined with an MCC course:

(i)      hold a certificate of satisfactory completion of an MCC course in aeroplanes; or

(ii)     hold a certificate of satisfactory completion of MCC in helicopters and have more than 100 hours of flight experience as pilots of multi-pilot helicopters; or

(iii)     have at least 500 hours as pilots of multi-pilot helicopters; or

(iv)     have at least 500 hours as pilots in multi-pilot operations on single-pilot multi-engine aeroplanes, in commercial air transport in accordance with the applicable air operations requirements; and

(5)     have completed the training course specified in point FCL.745.A, unless they comply with any of the following:

(i)      they completed, within the preceding 3 years, the training and checking in accordance with points ORO.FC.220 and ORO.FC.230 of Annex III (Part-ORO) to Regulation (EU) No 965/2012;

(ii)     they have completed the training specified in point FCL.915(e)(1)(ii).

(c)      Notwithstanding point (b), a Member State may issue a type rating with restricted privileges for a multi-pilot aeroplane that allows holders of such a rating to act as cruise relief co-pilots above Flight Level 200, provided that two other members of the crew have a type rating in accordance with point (b).

(d)     When so determined in the OSD, the exercise of the privileges of a type rating may be initially limited to flight under the supervision of an instructor. The flight hours under supervision shall be entered in the pilots' logbook or equivalent record and signed by the instructor. The limitation shall be removed when pilots demonstrate that the hours of flight under supervision required in the OSD have been completed.