Flight radio telephony operator licence

Requirements

Before you can apply for the initial issue of a FRTOL you must:

• be a minimum age of 14 years old
• pass the PPL Communications theoretical exam (this must be completed before the practical exam, and a 24 month validity period applies for the licence issue)
• pass a Radio Telephony's practical test (24 month validity period applies for licence issue)
• demonstrated English Language Proficiency (ELP) to level 4,5 or 6 which must be valid on the date that the FRTOL is issued.

Note: we can only accept English Language Proficiency which has at least two weeks validity remaining prior to application submission

Examination validity

If you take the Radiotelephony Communications test together with the theoretical exams for the issue of a PPL, LAPL or NPPL licence all exams must be passed within an 18 month period.

The Communications examination will then be valid for 24 months following the final theoretical examination.

The only requirement for the renewal of a FRTOL is that the English Language Proficiency (ELP) should be current and updated to our system.

Initial issue

You will need to submit online application form SRG1105.

Note: if applicable, you will be able to apply for the initial issue of a PPL or LAPL as well as FRTOL when submitting this online application.

Renewal

You will need to submit an online application form SRG1106.

Note: this is different online form to that used for the initial issue of a FRTOL.

Initial issue

There is no fee if the FRTOL is applied for at the same time as another category of flight crew licence (for example a PPL).

For stand-alone applications see our Scheme of Charges (Personnel Licensing).

An additional fee applies if you would like your documents returned by secure courier.

Making sure your documents are safely returned

Renewal

See our Scheme of Charges (Personnel Licensing)).

An additional fee applies if you would like your documents returned by secure courier.

Making sure your documents are safely returned

Initial issue

As part of the FRTOL application, you will be asked to upload the following:

• Certified copy of your valid passport.
• FRTOL course completion certificate (CAA5003)
• Copy of your signed certificate of English Language Assessment acceptable to the UK CAA.

Renewal

As part of the online application, you will be asked to upload the following:

• Copy of your signed certificate of English Language Assessment
• Certified copy of your radio telephony licence
• Certified copy of your valid passport

How to get copies of your documents certified

Note: you will be asked to upload additional supporting documents if you are also applying for the initial issue of a flight crew licence (PPL or LAPL). Please see the relevant sections on our website for more information.

File size limit: There is a 50Mb size limit for files uploaded to our forms.

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

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

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

FRTOL training may be conducted by a Flight instructor or Ground instructor at an ATO or DTO as part of the flight training package. It may also be conducted by an Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) with a valid On-the-Job-Training Instructor (OJTI) endorsement or a Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) who can demonstrate operational instruction experience.

There is no requirement for an individual to hold a FRTOL in order to be eligible to conduct FRTOL training. Those conducting training must be the holder of an English Language Proficiency Level 6 endorsement AND must be able to demonstrate an extensive knowledge and understanding of the FRTOL requirements and syllabus prior to the commencement of any training.

The FRTOL test contains two elements:

• PPL Communications theoretical exam (this must be completed before the practical exam, and a 24-month validity period applies for the licence issue)
• Radio Telephony's practical test (24-month validity period applies for licence issue)

Theoretical examinations may be conducted by an approved Ground Examiner at an ATO or DTO, or alternatively these may also be conducted by approved FRTOL Examiners.

FRTOL candidates are responsible for booking the radio telephony practical test with an approved FRTOL examiner, further details can be found in paragraph 3.8 in CAP2325: Guidance for FRTOL Practical Test Candidates.

Theoretical credits

Holders of a valid pass in the Part-FCL Communications Examinations in VFR and IFR Communications (Subject 90) are credited with the written PPL Communications theoretical examination for the validity period of that examination as defined in FCL.025 Theoretical knowledge examinations for the issue of licences and ratings.

Holders of a valid Air Traffic Control Officer (ATCO) licence issued in accordance with UK Regulation 2015/340 are credited with the PPL communications theoretical written examination and the 24-month examination validity period shall not apply. Applications shall be made using Form SRG1162.

Holders of a valid Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) licence issued in accordance with Article 200 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 (as amended) are credited with the PPL communications theoretical written examination and the 24-month examination validity period shall not apply. Applications shall be made using Form SRG1162.

Holders of a Private Pilot Licence issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1 (including any Part-FCL pilots’ licence) who also holds a valid radiotelephony licence issued in accordance with Article 37 of the ITU Radio Regulations, will be credited with the written PPL Communications theoretical examination. The licence must be valid, and training must have been conducted using the English language, with English Language Proficiency endorsed on the licence.

Practical training credits

Military Pilots qualified under the Military training program may claim credits specified in CAP 2254 – Military Aircrew Accreditation Scheme (MAAS).

Holders of a valid CPL or ATPL Licence issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1 (including any Part-FCL pilots’ licence) who also holds a valid radiotelephony licence issued in accordance with Article 37 of the ITU Radio Regulations, will be credited with the practical RTF Communications test and PPL communications theoretical written examination provided that they:

• have more than 1500 hours flight time engaged on international public transport flights, or
• have more than 1500 hours flight time in Commercial Air Transport (CAT), or
• have more than 1500 hours flight time engaged on international corporate flights, or
• have more than 1500 hours flight time engaged on international Commercial Operations, and
• the licence must be valid and the practical test must have been conducted using the English language, with English Language Proficiency endorsed on the licence

• CAP2325: Guidance for FRTOL Practical Test Candidates
• CAP2118: FRTOL Examiner Manual
• Aircrew 

Our service levels are 10 working days for the assessment of 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 five 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.

Our complaints process offers further guidance if you are dissatisfied by the service provided to you by us and you wish to raise a complaint.

Your application will undergo a desk-based assessment from a Flight Crew Licensing Officer. 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.

Note that applications will only be pended for 30 days before cancellation, where no response is received.

An assessment and fee may be charged if we reject your application for not meeting all requirements. This will also be applied if you choose to cancel your application. This is to cover the work undertaken by us to assess or handle your application. All underpaid postage fees are recovered before your new licence can be issued.

FRTOL licence is valid for life, subject to valid English Language Proficiency.