Commercial pilot licence for aeroplanes with an instrument rating

There are two methods you can use to apply for a CPL/IR issue; e-Licensing or our Online application form.

e-Licensing

If you choose to apply using e-Licensing, you will need to upload supporting documents as part of the application. Applicants will be asked for different supporting documentation depending on the selections they have made during the application.

You should not upload Online application form as e-Licensing replaces this form.

You cannot use e-Licensing to submit your application if you are using credits from a Third Country Licence. In this instance, you would need to submit the Application for Initial issue of a UK Part-FCL ATPL (A) or (H), CPL (A) or (H), or MPL (A) Pilot Licence (SRG1183) Online form instead along with the Verification of a third country ICAO licence and or TK examination results (SRG2142) Online application for a Third Country Verification.

Online application form

You can submit your application using our Application for Initial issue of a UK Part-FCL ATPL (A) or (H), CPL (A) or (H), or MPL (A) Pilot Licence (SRG1183) online form.

File size limit

There is currently 200Mb size limit to files uploaded to our forms. If your attachments exceed 200Mb, you should send all supporting documentation to fclweb@caa.co.uk quoting your application reference number.

All documents should be uploaded with a different filename clearly stating the content of the file attachment (for example Passport, Licence copy and so on.)

Submitting documents with the same filename may result in the loss of information in the system and added delays to the application assessment.

Guidance on documentation

For questions relating to paperwork, such as how to obtain certified copies of documents, please refer to our guidance on documentation.

The fee for the initial issue of a professional aeroplane or helicopter licence is £308.

Additional courier charges may apply:

• UK £20
• Europe £30
• Rest of the world £40

You will need to send the following information along with your application:

• Examiner report forms: SRG2130 (CPL) and SRG2131 (IR – if applicable)
• Certified/Selfie ID – if no licence held with the UK CAA previously
• Logbook evidence of all prerequisite and course hours - for modular CPL only
• Copy of Flight Crew Licence - if held
• Integrated Course Completion Certificate (CAA5000).
• Modular without IR - Course Completion Certificates: CAA5004 and CAA5008
• Modular with IR - Course Completion Certificates: CAA5011 and CAA5008
• Basic Instrument Flight Module (BIFM) certificate - if applicable
• CAA5003 if FRTOL not previously held
• Course Completion Certificate and examiner report form (SRG3108) - if applying for additional ratings

The minimum age to get a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) is 18 and you will need to hold a Part MED Class 1 Medical Certificate.

An applicant for the issue of a CPL shall have fulfilled the requirements for the class or type rating of the aircraft used in the skill test.

We are currently working within the published service levels of 10 working days for all application types. Where an application is pended, the working days to process the application will be counted from the date of receipt of the requested additional information.

For a small number of applications, a licensing officer may require additional guidance which requires a referral to be made to a technical officer. The technical officer will review the case within 5 working days, however if further advice is needed this will be reviewed at a bi-weekly complex case review session. In such cases therefore the application will take longer to process than our standard turnaround times.

When your application arrives with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), it will undergo a desk-based assessment from a Flight Crew Licensing Officer or Assistant. Following an acceptable assessment your licence will be processed, signed and despatched.

We will contact you in writing if we have any queries regarding your application and may keep your application pending while the additional requirements are met. Applications will only be pended for 30 days before cancellation, where no response is received.

An assessment and fee may be charged and your application rejected, if not all requirements are met. This will also be applied if you choose to cancel your application. All underpaid postage fees are recovered before your new licence can be issued.

A Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) is valid for life unless revoked or suspended.

Training requirements differ depending on the aircraft category and training route you take. These are set out on this page.

But, in all cases, you must fulfil the class or type rating requirements for the aircraft you take your CPL skill test on. For example, if you are taking the skill test on a multi-engine piston aeroplane (MEP) class, you must have met the relevant flight training requirements.

You must successfully complete theoretical exams and flight instruction at an approved training organisation (ATO).

As part of the application for Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL), you will need to demonstrate that you have an appropriate level of theoretical knowledge by passing exams in the following subject areas:

• Air law
• Aircraft general knowledge - airframe/systems/powerplant
• Aircraft general knowledge - instrumentation
• Mass and balance
• Performance
• Flight planning and monitoring
• Human performance
• Meteorology
• General navigation
• Radio navigation
• Operational procedures
• Principles of flight
• Visual flight rules (VFR) communications

You will also need to take ATPL and / or Instrument rating level theoretical knowledge examinations depending on the course of training you are taking.

Please refer to the specific course(s) you are taking for details, which are detailed on this page.

At the end of training, and when all requirements for licence issue have been met, you will need to take a skill test with an examiner.

An applicant for a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) shall pass a skill test in accordance with Appendix 4 to Part FCL to demonstrate the ability to perform, as Pilot in Command (PIC) of the appropriate aircraft category, the relevant procedures and manoeuvres with the competency appropriate to the privileges granted.

For the issue of a rating the applicant shall apply not later than 6 months after having succeeded at the skill test.

Please refer to Standards Documents 1A, 3, 7 and Appendices 4 and 7 of Part FCL for more details.

The aim of the course is to obtain a CPL (A) and an IR (A), including multi-crew cooperation (MCC) course to enable the pilot to operate as a co-pilot on multi pilot commercial operations, subject to holding a multi-pilot type rating.

Your theoretical knowledge and exams will be of the level required for issue of an ATPL (A) once you have completed the necessary flying experience and skills test to upgrade your licence.

An applicant wishing to undertake an ATP(A) integrated course shall complete all the instructional stages in one continuous course of training as arranged by an Approved Training Organisations (ATO).

Theoretical knowledge training

You will need to complete at least 750 hours of theoretical knowledge training, plus at least 25 hours for Multi-crew cooperation (MCC).

Theoretical knowledge examination

You will need to pass the ATPL (A) exams to demonstrate an appropriate level of theoretical knowledge.

The total flying training requirement (above) must include the following components:

The Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC) training course shall comprise at least:

25 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction and exercises; and 20 hours of practical MCC training, or 15 hours in the case of student pilots attending an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) integrated course.

An FNPT II MCC or an Full Flight Simulator (FFS) shall be used. When the MCC training is combined with initial type rating training, the practical MCC training may be reduced to no less than 10 hours if the same FFS is used for both the MCC and type rating training.

The MCC training course shall be completed within 6 months at an ATO.

Unless the MCC course has been combined with a type rating course, on completion of the MCC training course the applicant shall be given a certificate of completion.

An applicant having completed MCC training for any other category of aircraft shall be exempted from 25 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction and exercises.

Please refer to FCL.735.A for more details.

The aim of the course is to obtain a CPL (A) and an IR (A) so that you can proficiently fly single pilot single engine or multi engine aeroplanes commercially.

There are no pre-requisites for this training.

An applicant wishing to undertake a CPL(A)/IR integrated course shall complete all the instructional stages in one continuous course of training as arranged by an ATO.

Theoretical knowledge training

You will need to complete at least 500 hours of theoretical knowledge training.

This theoretical knowledge course will only be sufficient for attempting CPL (A) and IR (A) theoretical knowledge examinations. If you wish to take theoretical knowledge examinations at ATPL (A) level you will need to complete additional study.

Theoretical knowledge examination

You will need to pass the CPL (A)/IR exams as a minimum to demonstrate an appropriate level of theoretical knowledge.

The total flying training requirement (above) must include the following components:

Your skill test must be taken after completing the course on either a single or multi-engine aeroplane. You will also need to take the IR skill test. For a multi-engine IR, the skill test shall be taken in a multi-engine aircraft. For a single-engine IR, the test shall be taken in a single-engine aircraft.

Applicants who have completed a skill test for a multi-engine IR in a single-pilot multi-engine aeroplane for which a class rating is required shall also be issued with a single-engine IR for the single-engine aeroplane class or type ratings that they hold.

Other training routes

You can also complete the CPL (A) integrated or modular course along with the Instrument Rating course.

Credits available

If you already hold a licence or have flying experience you may be eligible for credits towards the theoretical knowledge training and the flying training for the issue of a licence or rating.

Please refer to the Third Country CPL and ATPL licence conversion requirements from 1 January 2023 page.

Partial credit towards the theoretical training may be available if you hold:

• A current and valid CPL / IR issued by or on behalf of a third country that is ICAO compliant (see Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention).
• A validating medical for your third country licence.
• A valid type or class rating on your third country licence for the same type of aircraft that will be used for the CPL / IR skill test (EASA type and class rating list).
• You must meet the experience requirements for the CPL with IR.
• Complete Part-FCL CPL (A) and IR (A) or ATPL (A) theoretical knowledge instruction as determined by the Head of Training of an ATO and pass all Part-FCL theoretical knowledge examinations at CPL and IR level or ATPL.
• Applicants who wish to attempt the ATPL(A) examinations must complete an approved ATPL(A) Modular theoretical knowledge course as set out in Part-FCL Appendix 3(B) and pass all Part-FCL ATPL(A) examinations.

You must complete Part-FCL IR(A) theoretical knowledge instruction as determined by the Head of Training of an approved training provider and pass all Part-FCL theoretical knowledge examinations at Instrument Rating (IR) level.

If you who wish to attempt the ATPL(A) examinations you will need to undertake an approved ATPL(A) Modular theoretical knowledge course as set out in Part-FCL Appendix 3(B) and pass all Part-FCL ATPL(A) examinations.

The Military Accreditation Scheme sets out the credits for UK Military Flight Crew, so the scheme is only open to serving Members of HM UK Forces or people discharged from HM UK Forces.

The scheme is only open to people who can provide proof of UK Military service.

Qualified Military Pilots (A) do not need to complete a theoretical knowledge instruction course as set out in FCL.315 and Appendix 3, paragraphs A-E, as applicable, before completing the theoretical knowledge examinations for the ATPL(A) or CPL(A), as applicable.

An applicant who passes the examinations at ATPL(A) level is reminded that the calendar validity periods for examinations set out in Part-FCL.025 apply. Unless an IR(A) or ATPL(A)is gained within the calendar validity of the pass result, the theoretical knowledge examinations must be passed again to qualify for the IR(A) or ATPL(A).

An applicant for an Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) holding a valid CPL in another category of aircraft must complete theoretical knowledge bridge instruction at an Approved Training Organisations (ATO) according to the differences identified between the CPL syllabi for different aircraft categories.

The applicant must pass the following PART FCL subjects in the appropriate aircraft category:

• 021 - Aircraft General Knowledge: Airframe and Systems, Electrics, Powerplant
  Emergency Equipment
• 022 - Aircraft General Knowledge: Instrumentation
• 032/034 - Performance Aeroplanes or Helicopters, as applicable
• 070 - Operational Procedures
• 080 - Principles of Flight

The remainder of the CPL(A) examinations are credited.

Applicants holding an IR(A)

If you have already passed the aeroplane instrument rating theoretical knowledge exams, you are credited with Human Performance and Meteorology at CPL level.
You need to complete and pass the remaining CPL (A) theoretical examinations.

Partial credit towards the flying training may be available if you hold:

• A current and valid Commercial Pilot licence (CPL) issued by or on behalf of a third country that is ICAO compliant (see Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention).
• A validating medical for your third country licence.
• A valid type or class rating on your third country licence for the same type of aircraft that will be used for the CPL skill test (an EASA type and class rating list).

You must meet the experience requirements for the CPL.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is applying the following policy which may be utilised by an Approved Training Organisations (ATO) conducting conversion training on ICAO licence holders for a Part-FCL CPL (A) be issued by the UK CAA without seeking prior approval from the Authority for each individual applicant.

These arrangements provide a route to a current and valid ICAO CPL (A) issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1.

The Aircrew Regulation requires that the holder of an ICAO licence must attend an Approved Training Organisation and complete an approved CPL (A) modular course. If, following assessment, the ATO wishes to reduce the course further than the minimum criteria set out below, they must recommend a reduced course to their Licensing Standard Inspector (for UK CAA approved ATOs) or to the UK CAA for non-UK approved ATOs. The course cannot be reduced to zero hours.

Minimum course content without submission of a recommendation to the CAA.
After completion of CPL (A) or ATPL(A) exams you will need to complete the minimum flying requirements shown below at an Approved Training Organisation approved to conduct CPL modular course.

Minimum instruction depending upon total hours as pilot of aeroplanes:

• Level 1: Experience > 1000 hours: Min 7 hours (18 hours credit)
• Level 2: Experience 500 - 999 hours: Min 10 hours (15 hours credit)
• Level 3: Experience 250 - 499 hours: Min 15 hours (10 hours credit)
• Level 4: Experience 185 - 249 hours: Min 20 hours (5 hours credit)
• Level 5: Experience 155 - 184 hours: Min 25 hours (no credit)
• Pass the Part-FCL CPL (A) Skill Test

Partial credit towards the flying credit may be available if you hold or held an Instrument Rating.

If you wish to convert your Instrument Rating (IR) it must be current and valid unless you are converting via the competency based modular training route (CBIR) where the requirements differ depending on the validity of your ICAO IR.

If you are not following the CBIR route you must:

Complete a minimum of 15 hours instrument time under instruction (including recommendation for test in accordance with the approved procedures of the ATO) of which:

• 5 hours may be in a Flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT) I
  or
• 10 hours in a FNPT II or Full Flight Simulator

Holders of an ICAO IR obtained in a single engine aeroplane seeking a Part-FCL multi engine IR(A) must attend an approved IR(A) training provider.

In addition to the training completed for the single engine IR you must also meet the Part-FCL requirements for a multi engine Class Rating and the Part-FCL SE(IR) to ME(IR) training course requirements of Part-FCL Appendix 6, (A)(9) as shown below:
complete a course at an ATO comprising at least 5 hours instruction in instrument flying in multi-engine aeroplanes, of which 3 hours may be in an FFS or FNPT II.
Pass the Part-FCL IR(A) Skill Test in a SE or ME aeroplane, as applicable.

The Military Accreditation Scheme (CAP2274) sets out the credits for UK Military Flight Crew, so the scheme is only open to serving Members of HM UK Forces or people discharged from HM UK Forces.

The scheme is only open to people who can provide proof of UK Military service.

Qualified Military Pilots (A) with a minimum of 70 hours logged as PIC/P1 Capt or PICUS/1st Pilot Non-Capt who hold or have held a military unrestricted, Green, Instrument Rating

Aeroplanes do not need to complete a training course before completing the skill test for the issue of a CPL(A)and skill test for the IR(A).

Basic Fast Jet Training (BFJT) (or legacy course) graduates must take the skill test in a single pilot single engine aeroplane.

Fast Jet Operational Conversion Unit (FJ OCU) graduates may take the skill test in a single pilot single engine aeroplane, or in a multi-engine aeroplane provided that they complete an Multi Engine Piston Rating (MEP) course at an Approved Training Organisations (ATO) before the Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) Skill test and approved multi engine IR(A) training at an ATO comprising of at least 5 hours instruction in instrument flying in multi engine aeroplanes of which 5 hours may be in an Full Flight Simulator (FFS) or Flight and navigation procedures trainer (FNPT) II.

Multi Engine Pilot Training (MEPT) (or legacy course) graduates may take the skill test in a single engine or single pilot multi-engine aeroplane.

Applicants for the issue of a CPL IR(A) must meet the experience requirements and pre-requisites for the issue of the class or type rating used for the test as set out in PART FCL, subpart H.

The aeroplane used for the skill test must meet the requirements for training aeroplanes and be certificated for the carriage of at least four persons, have a variable pitch propeller and retractable landing gear.

The skill test must be conducted by the holder of a Flight Examiner Certificate issued in accordance with Part FCL.

The skill test must be conducted in:

• An appropriate class or type of military aeroplane on which you are or have been qualified to operate as a Qualified Military Pilot, suitably equipped for the purpose, which has an Part-FCL civilian equivalent

or

• An appropriate class or type of civilian aeroplane provided you have completed the Part-FCL requirements for inclusion of that type or class in a Part-FCL licence except the type rating skill test

Hours as Pilot in Command (PIC) of other categories of aircraft may count towards the 200 hours total flight time, in the following cases:

• 30 hours in helicopter, if the applicant holds a PPL(H)
  or
• 100 hours in helicopters, if the applicant holds a CPL(H)
  or
• 30 hours in TMGs or sailplanes
  or
• 30 hours in airships, if the applicant holds a PPL(As)
  or
• 60 hours in airships, if the applicant holds a CPL(As)

The specific modular course requirements must be met. The credit only applies to the total flight time.

Applicants holding a current and valid IR(H) can be credited up to 5 hours of the dual instrument instruction time, in which case at least 5 hours dual instrument instruction time must be given in an aeroplane.

For questions relating to paperwork, such as how to obtain certified copies of documents, please refer to the guidance on documentation.