The legal Savings Provisions that permit the acceptance of EU training towards the issue of a UK Part-FCL ceased on 31 December 2022, after which date any Third Country licence holder will be required to the meet the CAA licence issue requirements outlined on this webpage.
The simplified application process available to holders of an EASA licence (SRG2158: Issue of UK FCL Licence and or certificate based on EASA FCL equivalent) will not be available from 1 January 2023, and no request to obtain a licence via this process will be considered.
The flowcharts on this webpage may be used to determine the application route relevant to the privileges that you hold. Each route will be listed in the flowchart e.g., Route 1, with the full details outlined in the relevant sub-section of this page. All applicants should also refer to the General Requirements section on this page which are applicable to all application routes.
General Requirements
Medical Certificate
A valid UK Part-MED medical certificate of the appropriate class will need to be held prior to the issue of a UK Part-FCL licence. PPL holders will need to hold at least a valid Class 2 UK medical certificate. Full details are available on our dedicated aeromedical webpages.
Radio Telephony (FRTOL) and English Language Proficiency (ELP)
Pilots who already hold a UK FRTOL, where the ELP has expired or has not previously been held with CAA, will be credited ELP based on valid ELP on an EASA licence. If ELP Level 4 or 5 has also expired on the EASA licence, you will need to go to a UK CAA approved Language School for assessment.
EASA licence holders will be credited with FRTOL and ELP where these are held on an EASA licence. If ELP Level 4 or 5 has expired, you will need to go to a UK CAA approved Language School for assessment.
The holder of a valid non-EASA CPL or ATPL Licence issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1 by another ICAO contracting State who also holds a valid radiotelephony licence issued in accordance with Article 37 of the ITU Radio Regulations and has in excess of 1500 hours flight time engaged on international public transport flights, will be credited with the practical RTF Communications test and PPL Communications theoretical written examination; provided that the licence is valid and the practical test was conducted using the English language and English Language Proficiency is shown on the licence. This can be used towards there requirement to gain an FRTOL with a PPL.
Where the above does not apply, you must pass UK FRTOL practical test. In all instances, you will need to be assessed for ELP Level 4, 5, 6 by a method acceptable to the UK CAA.
EASA PPL licence holders who previously held a UK-issued PPL and then transferred to an EASA state, that now wish to regain a UK Part FCL PPL will need to use the applicable route.
Third Country Licence Verification
In all instances, the CAA will be required to verify the authenticity of the third country licence held prior to issuing a UK Part-FCL licence. Details of this process are outline on the verification webpage.
Ratings that will be endorsed on UK Part-FCL licence
Please note only the class or type rating that the proficiency check or skill test is completed on will be endorsed on the UK Part-FCL licence when it is issued (even if there are multiple valid ratings endorsed on your ICAO licence).
If you wish to transfer any other ratings from your ICAO licence to your UK Part-FCL licence you will need to follow the transfer of type route for each additional rating.
Route 1 – ICAO PPL (A) and (H) with more than 100 hours of flight time (including EASA licence holders)
UK licence previously held
No
Ground training
N/A
Theoretical knowledge credits
N/A
Theoretical knowledge examinations
Complete theoretical knowledge examinations with the UK CAA in Air Law and Human Performance
Flight training
Applicant must ensure that they fulfil the requirements for the issue of the relevant class or type rating as detailed in Annex part H to UK Part FCL regulation, for the aircraft they are going to take the PPL skill test in.
If the rating is expired on the EASA/ICAO licence, renewal requirements must be met at a UK CAA approved ATO before completing the PPL skill test.
Skill test
Pass a PPL skill test in accordance with Annex I with a UK Part-FCL with a UK CAA certified Examiner.
Additional info
If the pilot wants to obtain any other type or class rating held on their EASA licence, but not already on the UK licence, they would be able to use the Transfer of Type/class route detailed in Article 10.
Route 2 – ICAO PPL (A) and (H) with less than 100 hours of flight time (including EASA licence holders)
UK licence previously held
No
Ground training
Undertake theoretical knowledge instruction as determined by the Head of Training at an ATO or DTO approved or declared by the UK CAA.
Theoretical knowledge credits
N/A
Theoretical knowledge examinations
Complete all the PPL theoretical knowledge examinations with the UK CAA.
Flight training
Complete the minimum flight time under instruction in a aircraft at an ATO or DTO to comply with the requirements of UK Part-FCL, taking account of any credit given to the applicant as determined by the CAA on the basis of a recommendation from an ATO.
If the rating is expired on the EASA/ICAO licence, renewal requirements must be met at a UK CAA approved ATO before completing the PPL skill test.
Skill test
Pass a PPL skill test in accordance with Annex I with a UK Part-FCL with a UK CAA certified Examiner.
Additional info
If the pilot wants to obtain any other type or class rating held on their EASA licence, but not already on the UK licence, they would be able to use the Transfer of Type/class route detailed in Article 10.
Route 3 – EASA PPL(A) and (H) holders that previously held a PPL licence with the UK CAA
UK licence previously held
Yes – PPL in the same category
Ground training
N/A
Theoretical knowledge credits
N/A
Theoretical knowledge examinations
Not required as previously undertaken to originally gain UK licence
Flight training
Applicant must meet type rating requirements for the aircraft used for the Class or Type renewal prof’ check.
- If the rating was previously held on the UK licence and valid on the EASA licence, no training is required before the proficiency check.
- If the rating was previously held on the UK licence and is expired on the EASA licence, renewal requirements must be met at a UK CAA approved ATO/declared DTO before completing the proficiency check.
- If the rating was not previously held on the UK licence and is valid on the EASA licence, the transfer of Class or Type requirements detailed in Article 10 must be met prior to completing the skill test.
- If the rating was not previously held on the UK licence and the transfer of Class or type requirements detailed in Article 10 have not been met, there are no credits available and training to complete the Class or Type rating requirements must be completed at a UK CAA approved ATO/declared DTO prior to completing the skill test.
Skill test/Proficiency Check
Pass a Class or Type rating proficiency check in accordance with UK Part-FCL with a CAA Certificated Examiner.
Additional info
If the pilot wants to obtain any other type or class rating held on their EASA licence, but not already on the UK licence, they would be able to use the Transfer of Type/class route detailed in Article 10.
EASA and ICAO CPL and ATPL conversion
For the routes to obtain a UK Part-FCL CPL and ATPL based on a third country licence, please refer to our dedicated webpage.
Contact us
If you have any questions relating to the guidance provided on this webpage, please contact the licensing team at FCLWEB@caa.co.uk with the subject heading ‘Attention FCL: ICAO Conversion’.
Regulations
Fees
Schools and Training
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.
UK Part-FCL approved examiners, training organisations and flight simulators:
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