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.

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)

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.