FCL.710 Class and type ratings – variants

(a)     Pilots shall complete differences training or familiarisation in order to extend their privileges to another variant of aircraft within a class or type rating, or, in the case of point FCL.710(d)(1) of this Annex, in order to maintain those privileges. In the case of variants within a class or type rating, the differences training or familiarisation shall include the relevant elements defined in the operational suitability data established in accordance with Annex I (Part 21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012, where applicable. When extending the privileges of an SEP aeroplane class rating to a variant with another type of engine referred to in Article 2, point (8c), of this Regulation, the differences training shall consist of dual flight instruction and theoretical knowledge instruction which shall include, with regard to that other type of engine and related aircraft systems, at least all of the following subjects:

(1)     Aircraft general knowledge;

(2)     Operational procedures;

(3)     Flight performance and planning.

(b)     The differences training shall be conducted at any of the following:

(1)      an ATO;

(2)      a DTO in the case of aircraft referred to in points (a)(1)(c) and (a)(2)(c) of point DTO.GEN.110 of Annex VIII;

(3)      an AOC holder having an approved differences training programme for the relevant class or type.

(c)      Notwithstanding the requirement in point (b), differences training for the following aircraft may be conducted by an appropriately qualified instructor unless otherwise provided in the operational suitability data established in accordance with Annex I (Part 21) to Regulation (EU) No 748/2012:

(1)     aeroplanes requiring a class rating:

(i)      TMGs;

(ii)     SEP aeroplanes;

(iii)     MEP aeroplanes;

(iv)     SET aeroplanes, except for complex or high-performance SET aeroplanes;

(2)     single-engine helicopters with a maximum take-off mass not exceeding 3 175 kg.

(d)     Pilots who, after having extended their privileges to another variant within a class or type rating in accordance with this point, have not flown that variant within the preceding 2 years shall, before exercising their privileges in that variant, complete any of the following in that variant:

(1)     further differences training in accordance with points (a) and (b) or, if applicable, (c);

(2)     a proficiency check;

(3)     in the case of a variant within the SEP class rating with a particular engine type referred to in Article 2, point (8c), refresher training in accordance with point FCL.740.A(b)(1)(ii)(C).

(da)   Point FCL.710(d) shall not apply in the case of variants within the TMG class rating and variants within the SEP class rating that have the same type of engine referred to in Article 2, point (8c), of this Regulation.

(e)     The differences training or the proficiency check in that variant shall be entered in the pilots’ logbook or equivalent record and signed by the instructor or examiner as appropriate.