Flight crew exams and licences

Licensing Requirements

The term 'flight crew' is used to refer to pilots, radiotelephone operators and flight engineers.

Currently competency is measured through theory and practical examinations to determine the level of a person's skill and knowledge following training and the accumulation of experience (ie. hours) as well as medical examinations to assess a person's fitness to hold the licence. Many of these examinations are conducted by the aviation industry or medical examiners on CASA's behalf.

Along the way, pilots can acquire endorsements and ratings which add additional privileges to the licence.

An explanation of Licences, Aircraft Endorsements and Ratings

A licence is the first and foremost qualification obtained by a pilot and indicates a general level of training, experience and achievement

An aircraft endorsement indicates that the licensed pilot has gained the hands on, manipulative skills and experience in a particular aircraft type or class of aircraft. In qualifying for the licence, the pilot will obtain at least one aircraft endorsement.

A rating is a qualification that extends the privileges of the licence enabling the holder to engage in various operational activities following further training and testing; ie. ratings can be obtained for flying at night or solely by reference to the aircraft's instrument panel, to teach others to fly or to spray chemicals, seeds or fertilisers for agricultural purposes.

• Licence and Rating Requirements describes the requirements for each licence.
• Glossary of Terms explains some of the aviation jargon.

Validity of Qualifications

Once issued, a flight crew licence is valid for life, however, the holder is required to undergo regular recency and medical checks. The frequency and degree of these tests depend upon the nature of the operations being conducted, the more complex the operation the more exacting the checks.

Aircraft endorsements are also valid for life. However, the onus is on the holder to ensure he or she has completed refresher training on the aircraft if he or she has not flown that type for some time.

Some ratings are valid while the licence is valid, other are subject to periodic flight checks.

Method of Issue

Prior to 1 July 2004, student and flight radiotelephone operator licences were issued by industry and CASA. From 1 July 2004, only CASA will be able to issue these licences. All other flight crew licences are issued by CASA.

CASA has established a Log Book Endorsement System so that all ratings and endorsements can be issued by an industry delegate via an entry in the applicant's log book. This enables the applicant to use the qualification immediately. The delegate forwards the paperwork relating to the entry to CASA for inclusion in the pilot's flight crew licensing records. The entries in the log book are proof of any ratings or endorsements held.

Number of pilots in Australia

2006

Note: Current figures are as at 30 June 2006, show only the highest level of licence held and include only those pilots who had a current medical certificate enabling them to exercise the privileges of the licence.

Note: Flight Engineers may also hold another flight crew licence and will be included in both figures.

2005

Note: Current figures are as at 30 June 2005, show only the highest level of licence held and include only those pilots who had a current medical certificate enabling them to exercise the privileges of the licence.

Note: Flight Engineers may also hold another flight crew licence and will be included in both figures.

2004

Note: Current figures are as at 30 June 2004, show only the highest level of licence held and include only those pilots who had a current medical certificate enabling them to exercise the privileges of the licence.

Balloon total current for 2004 is an approximation only.

Note: Flight Engineers may also hold another flight crew licence and will be included in both figures.

Additional FCL Stats 2004

AROCP=Aircraft Radiotelephone Operator Certificate of Proficiency
FROL= Flight Radiotelephone Operator Licence

Actual number of student pilot licences, AROCP and FROL issued would be higher as many were issued by industry and not notified to CASA

2003

Note 1: Current figures are valid at 30/6/2003. These figures show only the highest level of licence held and include only those pilots who have a current medical certificate enabling them to exercise the privileges of the licence.
Note 2: Balloon total current for 2003 is an approximation only.

2002

Note 1: Current figures are valid at 30/7/2002. These figures show only the highest level of licence held and include only those pilots who have a current medical certificate enabling them to exercise the privileges of the licence.

2001

These numbers are current as of 8 August 2001 and reflect the highest licence held to avoid double counting.

About CASA Flight Crew Licensing

The main function of the CASA Flight Crew Licensing branch is to ensure that all flight crew are appropriately qualified to do their jobs. This is achieved through the setting of technical standards and administrative procedures to control

• who performs duties that are essential to the operation of an Australian aircraft
• the qualifications and experience required by such persons
• who trains and tests the proficiency of such persons to ensure they meet the required standards