Converting a Military, Rotary or Foreign Licence

Requirements for the conversion of existing licenses and ratings can be complex with frequent changes of the rules. PAT can help by providing the most up-to-date information and the best advice on how to proceed.

Current Military Fast Jet and Transport Pilots

Since EASA has been implemented in Europe the rules for military to civilian conversions have changes.

Information on the new rules is given in Part O, Section 4 of CAP804 available on the CAA website at www.caa.co.uk/docs/33/CAP804rfs.pdf Please contact Linda Mollison to discuss further.

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Conversion of a non-EASA CPL/IR or ATPL

The rules have changed since the implementation of EASA. Information is provided in CAP804, Section 4, Part Q.

For more detailed information please call Linda Mollison.

However, we are able to offer guidelines as follows:

General

All training requirements have to be assessed by the Head of Training of an ATO and submitted (except for the IR) to the CAA for approval. Training cannot be started until this approval is given. You are advised to allow plenty of time for this to happen. For the training requirements for the IR please see below.

In order to benefit from the reduced training requirements, both your CPL and your IR have to be current and valid.

Medical:

In order to get your licence/rating issued in the UK your State of Licence of your medical must be the UK.

For further information have a look at www.caa.co.uk/default.aspx?catid=49&pagetype=90&pageid=2576

R/T Licence:

A UK EASA R/T licence is required. This can be done in-house by one of our resident R/T examiners.

Ground School:

Undertake a theoretical knowledge course (at ATPL level) by distance learning or by full-time ground school and pass 14 exams.

ATPL:

If you have more than 1500 hours including 500 hours multi-pilot time, and have access to a multi-pilot aircraft for which you hold a valid type rating you simply have to pass an ATPL skill test. For further information about this we suggest you contact the CAA on one of the numbers given below. If you do not have the above experience you have to do training for the CPL skills test and the IR test. This will give you a CPL/IR (a frozen ATPL) which you can convert to a full ATPL when you have the necessary experience.

CPL:

Flight training is as determined by an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) on a complex aircraft (s/e or m/e) and you have to pass a skills test with a CAA staff examiner or a CAA authorised examiner.

Multi-Engine Piston Class Rating:

You will need to convert your non-EASA multi rating to an EASA one. Flight training is as determined by the ATO and approved by the CAA. If you do your CPL skill test in a multi engined aircraft you will do the MEP class rating test at the same time. Otherwise you will have to do a separate in-house MEP class rating test. If you have less than 100 hours on multi engine piston aircraft you will also have to do an in-house, 40 question written exam.

IR:

In order to benefit from the reduced course (see below) to convert your IR, your ICAO IR has to be current and valid. If it is not, then you will have to do the full course although if, during the course, the Head of Training is prepared to state in writing that completion of the FULL course is unwarranted and recommends a reduction, the CAA will give this recommendation consideration.

If it is assessed that you will need 15 hour training to convert your IR there is NO requirement to submit that assessment to the CAA for approval.

Our course consists of 15 hours FNPT 2 simulator and 5 hours flight training including the 170A test, followed by the test with the CAA staff examiner.

Both these courses are intended for pilots with significant experience, e.g. greater than the 200 hour FAA CPL/IR holder. Our experience tells us that it is highly likely that the 200 hour CPL/IR holder will require more training than the minimum hours given above.

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Conversion of a Rotary Licence

You will need a JAA Class One Medical

You will need to do a theoretical ground studies course (either by distance learning or by full time attendance on a course) and pass all 14 ground examinations.

The flying training required is different depending upon whether you have an IR(H) and whether it is non-JAA or JAA IR.

If you do not have an IR(H) , you will be required to complete a full approved CPL course, a full approved Multi-Engine Piston Rating and a full approved IR course (see CPL(A) and IR(A) courses elsewhere on this website for further information).

If you have a non-EASA IR(H) you will get 5 hours dispensation from the CPL course, and you will have to complete a 25 hour IR course of which 5 hours can be logged in a FNPT1 simulator, or 10 hours in an FNPT2 simulator. The tests have to be with a CAA examiner.

If you have a EASA IR(H), you will get 5 hours dispensation from the CPL course and you will have to complete a minimum of 10 hours IR flight training. The tests have to be with a CAA examiner.

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CAA Contact Numbers

Tel: +44 (0) 1293 573700
Fax: +44 (0) 1293 573996
E-mail: fclweb@caa.co.uk
Web: www.caa.co.uk