Commercial pilot licence - helicopters

As part of the application for 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. These are shown below.

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 CPL shall pass a skill test in accordance with Appendix 4 to this Part to demonstrate the ability to perform, as 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.

Theoretical knowledge training

You will need to complete at least 650 hours of theoretical knowledge training, plus at least 20 hours for Multi-Crew Cooperation (MCC).

Theoretical knowledge examination

You will need to pass an exam to demonstrate an appropriate level of theoretical knowledge.

Flying training

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

• Dual instruction
  • Visual instruction
  • Instrument instruction
  • MCC
• PIC
• Cross-country flying
• Night flying
• Instrument time

Exact hour requirements for each of these components are set out below.

Dual instruction requirements

You will need to complete 95 hours' dual visual instruction, including the following components:

Dual instruction - visual instruction

75 hours of the total dual instruction requirement must be visual instruction, which may include one of the four options in below:

Dual instruction - instrument instruction

10 hours of the basic instrument instruction, which may include up to 5 hours in a helicopter FNPT I, or an aeroplane.

Dual instruction - MCC

10 hours of the total dual instruction requirement must be MCC instruction, for which a helicopter FFS, FTD 2,3 (MCC) or FNPT II/III (MCC) may be used.

If the helicopter used for flying training is different from the helicopter FFS used for visual training, the credit will be limited to that allocated for an FNTP II/III.

Remaining requirements

Theoretical knowledge training

You will need to complete at least 350 hours of theoretical knowledge training.

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

Crediting: theoretical knowledge training

If you hold a PPL, you need only complete at least 200 hours of theoretical knowledge training.

Theoretical knowledge examination

You will need to pass the CPL (H) theoretical knowledge examinations.

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

• Dual instruction
• PIC
• Cross-country flying
• Night flying
• Instrument time

Exact hour requirements for each of these components are set out below. 

Dual instruction 

You must complete at least 85 hours of dual instruction, which can include the following components: 

Dual instruction - visual instruction 

Up to 75 hours of the dual instruction requirement can be visual instruction, which may include one of the four options below: 

Dual instruction - instrument instruction 

Up to 10 hours of the dual instruction requirement can be instrument instruction, which may include up to 5 hours in either a helicopter FNPT I or higher, or an aeroplane. 

If the helicopter used for flying training is different from the helicopter FFS used for visual training, the credit will be limited to that allocated for an FNTP II/III. 

Remaining requirements 

Your skill test must be taken after completing the course.

You will need to hold a PPL (H), issued in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago convention. EASA PPL (H) licences are issued in accordance with this Annex. 

Before you begin the course, you must have completed 155 hours flight time, including 50 hours as PIC, of which 10 hours must be cross-country. 

If you are taking your skill test on a multi-engine helicopter you must have completed the prerequisites for the issue of a type or class rating for a multi-engine helicopter. More details are available in the  class and types ratings section.  

You must complete your flight training in one continuous course at an ATO.

To apply for a CPL (H) you must complete at least 30 hours of dual flight instruction, including 10 hours of instrument instruction and 20 hours of visual flight instruction.

Use of simulators or aeroplanes for dual instruction 

• Up to five hours of the instrument instruction requirement can be taken in a FFS, FTD2,3 or FNPT II, III
• Up to five hours of the visual instruction requirement can be taken in a FTD 1, FNPT I or in an aeroplane

Night flight instruction

You will also need to complete at least 5 hours of night flight instruction, comprising 3 hours of dual instruction, which will include at least 1 hour of cross country navigation and 5 solo night circuits, each including a take-off and landing.

If you already hold an IR 

If you hold a valid IR(H) you will be fully credited the 10 hours instrument instruction time requirement. If you hold an IR(A) you will be credited with 5 hours. The remaining 5 hours must be completed in a helicopter.

If you have a night rating (helicopter) already

You will not need to complete the additional night flight instruction if you already hold a night rating (helicopter).

You must have at least 185 hours of flight time before conducting the skills test.

This must include the following for Pilot in Command (PIC)

• 50 hours as PIC, of which 10 hours of cross-country flight as PIC, including a VFR cross-country flight of at least 185 km (100NM), in the course of which full stop landings at two aerodromes different from the aerodrome of departure must be made

You may be able to count some other Pilot in Command flying hours towards the 185 hours of flight time required.

These are detailed below:

• 20 hours in aeroplanes if you hold a PPL(A)
  or
• 50 hours in aeroplanes, if you hold a CPL(A)
  or
• 10 hours in TMGs or sailplanes
  or
• 20 hours in airships if you hold a PPL(As)
  or
• 50 hours in airships if you hold a CPL(As)

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

• a current and valid 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

You must complete Part-FCL CPL (H) theoretical knowledge instruction as determined by the Head of Training of an ATO and pass all Part-FCL theoretical knowledge examinations at a minimum of CPL level.

If you want to take the ATPL(H)(VFR) examinations you must complete an approved ATPL(H) Modular theoretical knowledge course as set out in Part-FCL Appendix 3(H) and pass all Part-FCL ATPL(H)(VFR) examinations.

If you want to take the ATPL(H)and IR examinations you must complete an approved ATPL(H) and IR Modular theoretical knowledge course as set out in Part-FCL Appendix 3(H) and pass all Part-FCL ATPL(H) with IR examinations.

If you apply for a CPL holding a valid CPL in another category of aircraft you must complete theoretical knowledge bridge instruction at an 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, and
• 080 - Principles of Flight

Applicants for a CPL who have passed the relevant theoretical examinations for an IR in the same category of aircraft are credited towards the theoretical knowledge requirements in the following subjects:

• Human Performance
• Meteorology

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

If you are applying for an IR(H) and have passed the relevant ATPL(H) VFR exams, you will need to pass the following examination subjects:

• Air Law
• Flight Planning and Flight Monitoring
• Radio Navigation
• IFR Communications

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

• a current and valid 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 class rating on your third country licence for the same type of helicopter 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 CAA is applying the following policy which may be utilised by an ATO conducting conversion training on ICAO licence holders for a Part-FCL CPL (H) 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 (H) 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 (H) 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

You must:

• Complete at an Approved Training Organisation approved to conduct CPL modular courses the minimum flight time under instruction in a Helicopter as outlined below.

Minimum hours of instruction required depending upon total flight time experience as a helicopter pilot

• Level 1: Experience > 1000 hours: Min 7 hours (23 hours credit)
• Level 2: Experience 500 - 999 hours: Min 10 hours (20 hours credit)
• Level 3: Experience 250 - 499 hours: Min 15 hours (15 hours credit)
• Level 4: Experience 185 - 249 hours: Min 20 hours (10 hours credit)
• Level 5: Experience 155 - 184 hours: Min 25 hours (5 hours credit)

Pass the Part-FCL CPL (H) skill test.

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

• 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(A) must complete a minimum of 5 hours dual instrument instruction time in a helicopter.

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.

The table below lists the evidence you may be asked for and what you should upload in that section.

CPL Integrated application

 CPL modular application

 CPL with military credits

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

Please note that 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 Online form instead along with the Online application for a Third Country Verification.

You can submit your application using our online form.

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

• CPL examiner report form SRG2197, with a copy of the non-UK Simulator approval certificate if you used a non-UK simulator for the skills test
• Instrument rating examiner report form SRG2135, 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 skills test)
• A certified copy of your licence (only required if one is already held)
• Proof of your ID (This can be a certified copy of your valid passport/full UK photographic driving licence, or a close up photo of you holding your ID in which your face and ID are clearly visible)
• A certified copy of your relevant logbook pages to confirm your hours and experience.
• A copy of your course completion certificate (CAA5008 and CAA5004 if modular course, CAA5000 if integrated course) or Training Organisation equivalent
• A copy of the Approved Training Organisation’s approval certificate (only required if the course was completed with a non-UK ATO)
• A copy of BIFM certificate (only required if this option is selected on online application form)

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 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

• UK Regulations
• UK ANO

• Licence fees and costs

Please ensure that your training provider is approved to conduct the training that you are undertaking.

We strongly recommend you check that your instructor and examiner hold the relevant privileges to conduct the training and any flight test, examination or assessment of competence that is being carried out.

How to find a UK examiner or UK approved school

• UK ATOs are listed in Standards Document 31
• List of Declared Training Organisations
• UK examiners

EASA ratings list and flight simulators

• ratings
• flight simulators ( FSTD)