Chap 4: Annex 1 : Personnel Licensing

Annex 1: Personnel Licensing

1.1 – ICAO Annex 1: Personnel Licensing

• ICAO Annex 1 includes:

  • International Standards and Recommended Practices (SARPs) for Personnel Licensing, first adopted on April 14, 1948 (Art. 37).

  • A Supplement indicating the differences between national regulations and ICAO provisions.

1.2 – Contents

The ICAO Annex 1 consists of 7 chapters:

• Definitions and General Rules

• Licences and Ratings for pilots (flight crew members)

• Licences for flight crew members other than pilots (e.g., flight navigators, flight engineers)

• Licences and ratings for personnel other than flight crew members (e.g., Aircraft maintenance, Air traffic controllers, Flight operations officers, Aeronautical station operators)

• Specifications for Personnel Licences

• Medical Provisions for Licensing

• Supplement to Annex 1: Differences

1.3 – General Rules and Definitions

• License: Also referred to as a “certificate of competency” or simply a “certificate.”

  Examples:

  • Private Pilot License (aeroplane, airship, helicopter)

  • Glider Pilot License

• Rating: An authorization attached to or associated with a license, detailing specific privileges, limitations, or conditions.

  Examples:

  • Night rating (authorization to fly at night)

  • Type rating for aircraft such as Airbus A320 or Boeing 777

• Medical Fitness:

  • To obtain a license, the applicant must meet medical fitness requirements.

  • These are categorized into three classes of medical assessment: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3.

1.4 – Types of licences and ratings

Licences and their privileges

• Private Pilot Licence (PPL):
  Privilege to act as Pilot in Command in non-commercial operations, without remuneration.

• Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL):
  Privileges of the PPL plus:

  • To act as Pilot in Command or Co-pilot in operations other than commercial air transport

  • To act as Pilot in Command in commercial air transport of any single-pilot aircraft

  • To act as Co-pilot in commercial air transport

• Multi-crew Pilot Licence (MPL):
  Privilege to act as Co-pilot in aircraft requiring two pilots.

• Airline Transport Pilot Licence (ATPL):
  Privileges of the PPL, CPL, and to act as Pilot in Command in commercial air transport.

Ratings

• Class ratings: For aircraft certified for single-pilot operation (e.g., single-engine land/sea, multi-engine land/sea)

• Type ratings:

  • All aircraft certified for operations with minimum 2 pilots

  • All helicopters (even for single-pilot operation)

  • Any aircraft required by licensing authority

• Instrument rating: Required according to aircraft category for operating under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR)

• Flight instructor rating: To provide flight instruction (authorization applies to simulation only)

1.5 – Validity of medical assessment

Medical examination validity:

• *12-month validity recommended when over 60 years for PPL.

• CPL/ATPL: No international commercial air transport allowed after 65 years.

• MPL pilots may still operate if the other pilot is under 60.

Max deferment:

• PPL: Single deferment period of 24 months

• CPL, MPL, ATPL:

  • Single period of 6 months (non-commercial)

  • Two consecutive 3-month periods (commercial)

1.6 – Crediting of flight time

• Flight time for:

  • Solo

  • Dual instruction

  • Pilot in Command (PIC)

  • PIC under supervision
    → Credited as 100% of flight time

• Co-pilot time on single-pilot certified aircraft (but operated with a co-pilot due to state regulations):
  → Credited as 50% of flight time

• Co-pilot time on multi-crew certified aircraft:
  → Credited as 100% of flight time

02 EUROPEAN REGULATIONS

2.1 – Regulatory context

• In recent years, EU countries underwent major changes in civil aviation regulation, mainly due to transferring authority from national states to EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency).

• Until April 8, 2013, the JAA (Joint Aviation Authorities) was responsible for the JAR-FCL (Flight Crew Licensing) system, part of the JAR (Joint Aviation Requirements). These were non-binding and required national implementation.

JAR-FCL included:

• JAR-FCL 1: Licensing of aeroplane pilots

• JAR-FCL 2: Licensing of helicopter pilots

• JAR-FCL 3: Medical requirements

• JAR-FCL 4: Licensing of flight engineers

All JARs followed this structure:

• Section 1: Requirements

• Section 2: AMC/IEM (Acceptable Means of Compliance / Interpretative Material)

• Evolution: NPA (Notice of Proposed Amendment)

Transition to EASA (Post-April 8, 2013)

• The European Union, via EASA, became the sole authority for civil aviation regulations in member states.

• These rules became automatically applicable in all contracting states.

Flight license regulations are structured as:

Basic Regulation:

• EC 216/2008, Article 7

Implementing Rules (IR):

• Aircrew

IR Annexes:

• Part FCL: Flight Crew Licensing

• Annex 2: Conversion of national licenses

• Annex 3: Non-EU licenses

• Part MED: Medical

• Part CC: Cabin Crew

• Part ARA: Authority Requirements for Aircrew

• Part ORA: Organization Requirements for Aircrew

As stated in the first chapter, it is the Implementing rules and its annexes that contains the technical aspects of the regulation.

The interesting annex to o ur study is the Part FCL.

It covers the former JAR-FCL1 and JAR-FCL2 and contains the requirement regarding the Flight Crew Licenses. It is Subdivided as follows.

2.2 – Definitions

2.2.1 – General

a) State of Registry

• The state of registry is the country in which an aircraft is officially registered.

Obligations:

• The state must ensure that aircraft flying over its territory and carrying its nationality marks follow aviation regulations.

• It must guarantee:

  • Radio equipment is licensed for installation and use

  • A certificate of airworthiness is issued

  • Pilots and other flight crew are properly licensed

Note:
For aircraft registered under an international operating agency not based in a single nation, all member states of the agency are jointly responsible for obligations attached to the state of registry as defined by the Chicago Convention.

b) State of Licence Issue

• Skill demonstration: The applicant must successfully complete all requirements for the licence, overseen by the authority of the "State of Licence Issue."

• Additional ratings may be added under JAR-FCL in any JAA Member State and incorporated by the issuing state.

• Licence transfer: For convenience (e.g. revalidation), a licence may be transferred to another JAA Member State, provided the pilot is employed or normally resides there.

c) Normal Residency

• Defined as the country where a person lives for at least 185 days per year due to professional or personal ties.

Here is the English summary of the image, continuing the structure of the course from "Annex 1: Personnel Licensing":

2.2.2 – Machines

a) Category of aircraft

• Aerostat:
  Lifted by buoyancy in the air.
  Example: Balloon, airship (motorized aerostat)

• 

• Aerodyne:
  Supported by aerodynamic forces.
  Examples:

  • Helicopter: Aerodyne with aerodynamic forces acting on rotors

  • Glider: Aerodyne without engines

  

  Aeroplane:
  Aerodyne using aerodynamic forces on fixed wings.
  Example: Airbus A380

b) Types of aircraft

• An aircraft type includes all aircraft of the same basic design, even if modified, as long as changes don’t affect handling, flight characteristics, or flight crew requirements.

Examples:

• A318, A319, A320, A321 → same aircraft type

• A330 and A320 → different aircraft types

Here is the English summary of the image, continuing with the course structure from "Annex 1: Personnel Licensing":

c) Multi-pilot airplane

• Multi-pilot airplanes are certified for operations by at least two pilots.

d) Synthetic flight trainer

A synthetic flight trainer is defined as an "apparatus in which flight conditions are simulated on the ground."

Types:

• Flight simulator:
  Accurate flight deck simulation + aircraft systems + command + flight characteristics.

• Flight procedure trainer:
  Realistic flight deck environment + systems + command + flight characteristics.

• Basic instrument flight trainer:
  Equipped with appropriate instruments + simulates flight deck environment.

2.2.3 – Licences

a) PPL, CPL, MPL, ATPL

• PPL: Private Pilot Licence – no remuneration permitted for operating an aircraft.

• CPL: Commercial Pilot Licence – permits paid operation of aircraft.

• MPL: Multi-Pilot Licence – allows holder to act as co-pilot in commercial air transport.

• ATPL: Airline Transport Pilot Licence – permits holder to act as pilot (PIC or co-pilot) in commercial air transport.

b) Ratings, approval, renewal, revalidation

• Ratings are recorded under the “Qualification” section of the licence.

• They include any special privileges, conditions, or limitations.

Validity Timeline:

• Licence issue → Validity period →

  • Revalidation (extension before expiry)

  • Renewal (restoration after expiry)

Here is the English summary of the image, continuing the structure of the course from "Annex 1: Personnel Licensing":

c) Skill and proficiency tests

Definition:

• A skill test is a demonstration of competency for the issuing of a licence or a rating (can include an oral exam).

• A proficiency check is a skill demonstration for the revalidation or renewal of ratings.

2.2.4 – Flights

a) Definitions

• Cross-country flight:
  A flight from a point of departure to a different point of arrival, following a pre-planned route using standard navigation procedures.

• Route sector:
  A flight segment including take-off, departure, cruise >15 NM, arrival, approach, and landing.

b) Pilots

• Pilot In Command (PIC):
  Responsible for the safety of the aircraft and compliance with air rules.

• Commander:
  Assigned by the operator for overall responsibility of the flight. Can act as PIC or delegate the role to another qualified pilot.

• Co-pilot:
  Assists the operation of the aircraft but is not the PIC (also excludes students in training).

• Student Pilot In Command (SPIC):
  Acts as PIC while being observed by an instructor who does not influence or control the flight.

• Pilot In Command Under Supervision (PICUS):
  A co-pilot performing PIC duties under supervision, in a manner acceptable to the authority.

2.2.5 – Flight times

a) Night: JAR-FCL definition

Definition:
According to JAR-FCL, night is defined as “the period between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight.”

Example:

At mean latitude in France, “Night” is defined as starting 30 minutes after sunset and ending 30 minutes before sunrise.

b) Flight time definitions

• Dual instruction time: Time during which an authorized instructor gives flight instruction.

• Flight time: From the moment the aircraft moves under its own power until it comes to rest.

• Flight time as single pilot in command: Time when a student acts as PIC, while the instructor only observes.

• Instrument time: Total time of instrument flight and ground instruction.

• Instrument flight time: Time when the pilot flies only by reference to instruments.

• Instrument ground time: Time when the pilot receives instrument training in a simulator or synthetic device (STD).

• Solo flight time: Time during which the student flies alone.

2.3 – FCL Regulation

The FCL regulations define the requirements to act as a flight crew member on aircraft registered in an EU Member State.

• Recognition of licences:

  • EU Member States: Licences from other EU states can be rendered valid with the same validity period as the original licence (no formality).

  • Non-EU States: Recognition allowed for up to 1 year, at the discretion of the authority, if the licence remains valid in its original state.

• ICAO Provision:
  Contracting states may authorize licences issued by other states, as long as the validity period does not exceed that of the original licence.

2.3.1 – Types of licences, ratings, and medical assessments

• National: Applies to licences issued before Part-FCL adoption in EU states.

• EASA: Issued according to Part-FCL (includes LAPL and annex 1 + MCC: Multi-Crew Cooperation).

• ICAO: Licences from non-EU states require validation.

• Ratings categories include:

• 

2.3.2 – Period of validity for European licences

• European licences are valid for a maximum of 5 years.

• Actual validity depends on the expiration of:

  • Ratings

  • Medical certificate

• Since March 5, 2008, CPL and ATPL holders must also hold a valid language proficiency certificate.

a) Ratings Validity

• Class Rating: 24 months

• Type Rating: 12 months

• Instrument Rating: 12 months

• Instructor/Examiner Rating: 3 years (authorization validity)

  

b) Note

A licence or rating is valid:

• From the date of issue

• Until the end of the validity period (if revalidated on time):

  • Within 3 months for most ratings

  • Within 45 days for medical certificates

Authority provision:
The authority may extend the rating validity until the end of the month in which it would otherwise expire. That month’s end becomes the expiry date.

Example timeline (illustrated):

• Skill test issued: 20th September

• Validity begins: 30th September

• Proficiency check done:

  • Up to 3 months (or 45 days for medical) before expiry

  • New validity begins from the original expiry date (not the date of the check)

c) Specifications for Flight Crew Licences

• Licences must be printed on white paper resistant to alteration or erasure. Any changes or deletions must be authorized by the competent authority.

• Entries must be in both the national language and English.

• When checked by the authority, a pilot must:

  • Present their licence and medical certificate

  • Prove their identity (photo ID)

2.4 – Additional Ratings

2.4.1 – Aerobatic Flight Rating

• Pilots of aircraft, Touring Motor Gliders (TMGs), or gliders may not perform aerobatic flights without the appropriate rating.

• To apply, pilots must have:

  • At least 40 flight hours; or

  • 120 launches as PIC of gliders after licence issuance

  • Completed 1 training course with an ATO, which includes:

    • A theoretical course related to the rating

    • At least 5 hours or 20 aerobatic training flights in the aircraft category

Extension of privileges:

• Allowed if the pilot:

  • Is licensed for the new aircraft category

  • Has completed at least 3 dual control training flights within the new category

2.4.2 – Ratings for Glider Towing and Banner Towing

• Pilots licensed to fly aircraft or TMGs may not tow gliders or banners without the appropriate rating.

Glider Towing Rating Requirements:

• After licence issuance:

  • 30 flight hours as PIC

  • 60 take-offs and landings (on aircraft or TMGs)

• One training course with an ATO, including:

  • Theoretical course on towing operations

  • 10 glider towing training flights (minimum 5 dual flights)

  • 5 familiarisation flights in a glider (except LAPL(S) or SPL holders)

Banner Towing Rating Requirements:

• At least 100 flight hours and 200 take-offs/landings as PIC

• 30 of those hours must be done in aircraft or TMGs (based on the type of towing)

• One training course with an ATO

• The privileges for glider/banner towing are limited to aircraft or TMGs.

• To exercise these privileges, the pilot must have completed at least 5 tows within the last 24 months.

2.4.3 – Night Flight Rating

To exercise night VFR privileges with an LAPL, SPL, or PPL on aircraft, TMGs, or airships, the applicant must complete an ATO training course including:

• 1 theoretical training course

• Minimum 5 night flight hours (at least 3 of which are dual control)

• 1 hour of cross-country navigation:

  • Includes 1 dual flight of at least 50 km (27 NM)

  • Includes 5 solo take-offs and 5 solo full-stop landings

2.4.4 – Rating for Flight Tests

• Pilots of aircraft or helicopters may act as PICs for flight tests if they hold a flight test rating for:

  • Certified helicopters

  • Certified aircraft

Privileges of flight test rating holders:

• Category 1:

  • May perform all categories of flight tests as PIC or co-pilot

• Category 2:

  • May perform Category 1 tests as PIC or co-pilot

  • May perform other tests as PIC or co-pilot

  • May perform tests for design and production organizations

Requirements for initial flight test rating:

• Hold a CPL and an IR in the appropriate category

• Minimum 1,000 night flight hours (including 400 hours as PIC)

• Complete ATO training tailored to the aircraft and test category, covering:

  • Performance

  • Flight stability and control/quality

2.4.4 – Rating for flight tests (continued)

• Privileges of a flight test rating holder may be extended:

  • To another flight test category

  • To another aircraft category

2.4.5 – Mountain Flight Rating

• This rating allows flying aircraft or TMGs to and from surfaces where the authority requires a mountain flight rating.

Types of Initial Mountain Flight Rating:

• Wheels: For landing/takeoff on surfaces without snow

• Skis: For landing/takeoff on snow-covered surfaces

Training Course:

• Must be completed within 24 months

• Includes theoretical training and flight training with an ATO

Practical Examination:

• Must pass a practical test including:

  • Oral exam on theoretical knowledge

  • 6 landings on at least 2 different surfaces other than the departure surface

Validity:

• 24 months

Extension Requirements:

• 6 mountain landings within the last 24 months

• Passed a proficiency test

Renewal (if expired):

• Same as extension:

  • 6 mountain landings in the last 24 months

  • Proficiency test passed

03 – ICAO / PART-FCL DIFFERENCES FOR PPL, CPL AND ATPL LICENCES

3.1 – PPL: Private Pilot Licence

Additional Notes:

• A PPL holder may carry passengers if they have completed 3 take-offs and 3 landings in the past 90 days.

• For night passenger flights, at least one take-off and landing must be at night.

• If radio use is required, the applicant must demonstrate ICAO Level 4 language proficiency (English or local ATC language).

• Aircraft variants (e.g., tailwheel, retractable gear) and specific ratings will be covered in following chapters.

3.2 – CPL: Commercial Pilot Licence

Privileges:

• ICAO:

  • Act as PIC or co-pilot in non-commercial ops

  • Act as PIC on single-pilot commercial aircraft

  • Act as co-pilot in commercial air transport

• PART-FCL:

  • Same privileges as ICAO

3.3 – ATPL: Airline Transport Pilot Licence

Privileges:

• ICAO:

  • Act as co-pilot or PIC in air transport

• PART-FCL:

  • Same, must include multi-pilot ops on aeroplanes

Here is the English summary of the image, continuing with the structure of the course from "Annex 1: Personnel Licensing":

04 – RATINGS

4.1 – Class Ratings

• ICAO:
  Concerned with class ratings for single-pilot certified aircraft:

  • Single engine (land/sea)

  • Multi engine (land/sea)

• PART-FCL:

  • Single-engine piston (land/sea): SEP

  • Multi-engine piston (land/sea): MEP

  • Touring Motor Glider: TMG

  • Single-engine turboprop aeroplanes (land/sea): SET

Validity (PART-FCL):

• 24 months for SEP and TMG

• 12 months for all other classes

4.1.1 – Prerequisites and Training

• For HPA (High-Performance Aircraft):

  • Minimum 200 flight hours total, incl. 70h as PIC (multi-engine)

  • And:

    • Valid CPL/ATPL (ICAO)

    • OR certificate of course completion in an ATO

    • OR pass the EASA ATPL(A) theory exam

• For MEP (Multi-Engine Piston):

  • Minimum 70h as PIC

  • Theoretical knowledge in ATO (7h in multi-engine ops required)

4.1.2 – Issue, Revalidation, Renewal

• Class ratings issued after ATO training + skill test

• Revalidation:

  • For SEP and TMG:

    • proficiency check within 3 months before expiry

    • If no check: 12h of flight within 12 months, incl.:

      • ≥6h PIC

      • ≥12 takeoffs/landings

      • ≥1 training flight (min. 1h with instructor)

  • Multi-engine Piston (MEP):

    • Proficiency check in an aeroplane or simulator in the last 3 months preceding the expiry date as well as 10 route sectors as a PIC (or 1 route sector with an examiner).

• Renewal is issued after a refresher training and a skill test.

4.2 – Type Ratings

• ICAO:
  Concerned with:

  • Aircraft with ≥2 crew

  • Helicopters and powered-lift certified for single-pilot ops (except class-rated)

• PART-FCL:

  • All multi-pilot aeroplanes

  • Single-pilot aircraft with jet or multi-engine

  • Others as required by authority

Validity (PART-FCL):

• 12 months

4.2.1 – Prerequisites

Multi-pilot aircraft application must hold :

• ≥70h PIC

• Valid IR (multi-engine ICAO)

• MCC certificate (from ATO or TRTO)

• If TR:

  • ≥2h30 dual in multi-engine

  • ≥3h30 dual with engine failure

Single-pilot aircraft:

• ≥70h PIC

• Theoretical knowledge (7h for multi-engine)

4.2.2 – Issue, Revalidation, Renewal

• Type ratings issued after ATO course + skill test

• Revalidation:

  • Proficiency check (in aircraft/simulator) within 3 months before expiry

  • Must include:

    • ≥10 route sectors as PIC

    • Or 1 route sector under exam conditions

4.3 – Instrument Rating

4.4 – Instructor Rating

In PART-FCL, FI(A) privileges are restricted until:

• 100 hours of flight instruction
• 25 students’ solo flights supervised

Instructor Categories (European Regulations):

• FI: Flight Instructor

• TRI: Type Rating Instructor

• CRI: Class Rating Instructor

• IRI: Instrument Rating Instructor

• SFI: Synthetic Flight Instructor (authorization only)

4.5 – MCC: Multi-Crew Cooperation

• The MCC certificate is not a licence.

• It is required to fly multi-pilot aircraft.

• It teaches how to safely fly with a team (multi-pilot) on multi-engine aircraft under IFR.

• The theory course must be at least 25 hours.

• If MCC was done on helicopters, you do not need the theory part again.

05 – EUROPEAN MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS

5.1 – Regulatory context

• Medical rules in Europe are now managed by EASA.

• The old JAR-FCL 3 is now replaced by Part-MED.

• Part-MED is divided into 4 subparts:

  • A: General rules

  • B: Pilot medical certificate rules

  • C: Cabin crew medical fitness

  • D: Rules for medical examiners

5.2 – Requirements

• All pilots must be physically and mentally fit to use their licence.

• They must hold a valid medical certificate that follows European law.

Medical certificate classes:

• Class 1: CPL, MPL, ATPL

• Class 2: PPL

• Class 3: Air traffic controllers

Certificates are given or renewed by:

• AMC (Aero Medical Centre)

• AME (Aero Medical Examiner)

• 

5.3 – Decrease in medical fitness

You must contact a medical examiner if you:

• Are hospitalized (any duration)

• Have surgery or invasive procedure

• Start using medication regularly

• Start using glasses or contact lenses

You must inform the authority (in writing) if you:

• Have a serious injury

• Are sick for 21 days or more

• Are pregnant

→ Your medical certificate will be suspended during these events.

5.4 – Curtailment of privileges (age limits)

• From age 60 to 64:

  • You can fly commercial flights only if:

    • It’s multi-pilot

    • You are not alone and the other pilot is younger than 60

• From age 65:

  • You cannot act as pilot in commercial air transport anymore

These rules also apply for ICAO licences.

5.5 – Validity of Medical Certificates

For CPL, ATPL, or MPL holders (Class 1 certificate):

• Before 40 years old: Valid for 12 months

• From 40 to 60 years old:

  • Still valid for 12 months

  • But only 6 months if you're a single pilot carrying passengers

• From 60 to 65 years old: Valid for 6 months

• After 65: Commercial air transport is not allowed

For PPL holders (ICAO) or Class 2 certificate holders:

• Before 40 years old: Valid for 60 months (5 years)

• From 40 to 50 years old: Valid for 24 months (2 years)

• From 50 to 65 years old: Valid for 12 months (1 year)

ICAO particularities:

x Flight engineer: 12 months whatever the age.

x Class 3 (ATC): 48 months (4 years) The period of validity can be extended up to 45 days: Example:

Important:

• You can take the medical exam up to 45 days before your certificate expires → Your new validity will start from the original expiry date, not the day of the exam.

ICAO Deferment Rules:

• PPL holders: May delay exam by 24 months (once)

• Non-commercial pilots: May delay by 6 months (once)

• Commercial pilots: May delay twice by 3 months

This allows some flexibility while keeping the same annual expiry date.