Airline transport pilot licence for helicopters

Theoretical knowledge examinations

When you apply for your ATPL, you must have previously passed the ATPL theoretical knowledge exams in the relevant subject areas. You will likely have done this as part of your training towards the CPL/IR or MPL.

The theoretical knowledge areas include:

• Air law
• Aircraft general knowledge - airframe/systems/power plant
• Aircraft general knowledge - instrumentation
• Communications
• Flight planning and monitoring
• General navigation
• Human performance
• Mass and balance
• Meteorology
• Operational procedures
• Performance
• Principles of flight and
• Radio navigation

Flight time

You also need to have completed a minimum of 1000 hours of flight time as a pilot of helicopters, including at least:

1. 350 hours in multi-pilot helicopters
2. 250 hours as Pilot in Command (PIC)
   or
   100 hours as PIC and 150 hours as Pilot in Command under supervision (PICUS)
   or
   250 hours as PICUS in multi pilot helicopters. In this case, the ATPL(H) is limited to multi pilot operations only, until 100 hours as PIC have been achieved
3. 200 hours of cross-country flight time of which at least 100 hours should be as PIC or as PIC under supervision
4. 30 hours of instrument time of which not more than 10 hours may be instrument ground time
5. 100 hours of night flight as PIC or as co-pilot

Of the 1000 hours of total flight time, a maximum of 100 hours can be completed in an FSTD (not more than 25 hours can be completed in an FNPT).

Multi-pilot experience gained in single pilot aircraft

For two pilot operations in single pilot aircraft to be accepted as “Multi-pilot operations” you must show evidence that the approval of the operator to carry out the flight included a legal requirement that two pilots acting together was the minimum allowable crew for the flight.

The European Aircrew Regulation includes the following definitions:

Multi-pilot operation

For aeroplanes, it means an operation requiring at least 2 pilots using multi-crew cooperation in either multi-pilot or single-pilot aeroplanes;
For helicopters, it means an operation requiring at least 2 pilots using multi-crew cooperation on multi-pilot helicopters.

Multi-pilot aircraft

For aeroplanes, it means aeroplanes certificated for operation with a minimum crew of at least two pilots;

For helicopters, airships and powered-lift aircraft, it means the type of aircraft which is required to be operated with a co-pilot as specified in the flight manual or by the air operator certificate or equivalent document.

A flight with two pilots who are simply taking turns to fly - and where the flight could still take place if only one pilot was available - is not a multi-pilot operation. For a flight to be accepted as multi-pilot the law that applied to the flight must require 2 pilots.
Documentary evidence from both the operator (Air Operator's Certificate clearly identifying the nature of the operations) and the national authority concerned confirming that the aircraft used was required to be operated solely by 2 pilots qualified on type will be required as well as logbook evidence.

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

The skill test shall be take in the helicopter or an adequately qualified FFS representing the same type.

Applicants for an ATPL(H) shall pass a skill test in accordance with Appendix 9 to Part FCL to demonstrate the ability to perform as PIC of a multi pilot helicopter under IFR, the relevant procedures and manoeuvres with the competency appropriate to the privileges granted.

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

All theoretical and hours requirements must have been met before the skills test is completed.

More details can be found in Standards Document 3, 1A and 7A/H.

Full credit towards the requirement to undergo a training course prior to undertaking the theoretical knowledge examinations may be available if you hold:

• a current and valid ATPL 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 rating on your third country licence for the same type of helicopter that will be used for the ATPL skill test (an EASA approved multi-pilot type).

You must meet the experience requirements for the ATPL.

Theoretical

An applicant for an ATPL holding a valid ATPL in another category of aircraft shall undertake theoretical knowledge bridge instruction at an ATO according to the differences identified between the ATPL syllabi for different aircraft categories.

The applicant shall pass theoretical knowledge examinations as defined in this Part for the following 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,
  and
• 080 - Principles of Flight

The applicant is credited the remaining ATPL(H) examinations.

Flying

Flight time in aeroplanes shall be credited up to 50% against the 1000 hours flight time requirements.

The experience requirement shall be completed before the skill test for the ATPL(H) is taken.

Theoretical

An applicant for an ATPL(H), having passed the relevant theoretical examinations for a CPL(H) is credited towards the theoretical knowledge requirements in the following subjects:

• Air Law
• Principles of Flight (Helicopter)
• VFR Communications

An applicant for an ATPL(H) with an IR(H), having passed the relevant theoretical examinations for a CPL(H) is credited towards the theoretical knowledge requirements in the following subjects:

• Principles of Flight (Helicopter)
• VFR Communications

If you choose to apply using e-Licensing, you will need to upload the following documents as part of the application:

You should not additionally submit an Online application form as e-Licensing replaces this form. You also do not need to submit your logbooks when using e-Licensing, as the hours confirmation form replaces this requirement.

You should not use e-Licensing if you are using credits from a Third Country Licence. In this instance, you need to submit an Online form instead along with the Online application for a Third Country verification.

You can submit your application using our online application form.

If you choose to this method, you will need to upload the following supporting evidence:

• Examiner report form SRG2138, with a copy of the non-UK Simulator approval certificate if you used a non-UK simulator for the skills test
• A copy of your Examiner's licence, medical and authorisation (only required if you used a non-UK examiner for the skill test)
• A copy of the hours confirmation for the issue of an ATPL completed by your ATO (CAA5013)
• A certified copy of your licence
• A certified copy of your passport (preferred), or a certified copy of your full UK photographic driving licence
• A certified copy of your relevant logbook pages/UK AOC hours confirmation to confirm your hours and experience

If your Theoretical Knowledge (TK) exams have been passed with another NAA:

• A copy of Part-FCL theoretical knowledge exam results as provided by the relevant authority
• A copy of theoretical knowledge course completion certificate completed by the relevant authority (CAA5004 or Training Organisation equivalent)
• A copy of the non-UK ATO approval certificate detailing TK assessment approval (You are only required to submit the front page of the non-UK ATO approval, the pages relevant to the aircraft type or course and the final approval page signed by the National Aviation Authority (NAA)).

If you do not have a UK issued RT licence:

• A copy of your evidence of UK Examination and Test for Grant of FRTOL (CAA5003)

UK military pilots need to additionally submit completed Military Accreditation Scheme (MAS) form SRG2133, with certified copies of relevant pages of the military logbook

Pilots applying on the basis of holding a Third Country ICAO licence will also need to submit the following paperwork:

• Third country verification application
• A certified copy of valid ICAO licence and medical
• A certified copy of ICAO logbook pages to confirm your hours and experience