Military flight crew qualifications recognition

Military flight crew are not permitted to fly civilian registered aircraft unless they have been licensed to do so by CASA. A flight crew licence usually comes with associated ratings and aircraft endorsements.

The Civil Aviation Regulations (CAR) provide for Australian Defence Force (ADF) flight crew to be exempt from certain specific requirements for a licence such as exams and flight tests if they hold or have held a pilot qualification which is deemed to be at least equivalent to the licence sought.

NB. ELP (English Language Proficiency)
All military pilots must be aware that as from the 5 March 2008, all new licence issues, (PPL, CPL, and ATPL) require that a pilot undergo an English language proficiency assessment. There are no exemptions. The assessment is conducted by Australian approved persons, ATOs and Instructors. A licence will not be issued without the proper assessment form. See below for further information.

What are equivalent qualifications?

CASA and the ADF have determined that ADF pilots who have graduated from one of the following ADF courses hold a qualification at least equivalent to a pilot licence viewed below:

PPL (aeroplane)	Army	BFTS + meet civil equivalent break-down of hours as for PPL(A) (see CARs below)
PPL (aeroplane)	RAAF & RAN	2FTS + meet civil equivalent break-down of hours as for PPL(A) (see CARs below)
CPL (aeroplane)	RAAF	2FTS + OFT/IFC + meet civil equivalent break-down of hours as for CPL(A) (see CARs below)
PPL (helicopter) and CPL (helicopter)	Navy	2FTS + LFT (HMAS Albatross) + meet civil equivalent break-down of hours as for PPL(H)/CPL(H ) (see CARs below)
PPL (helicopter) and CPL (helicopter)	Army	BFTS + ROBC (SAA) + meet civil equivalent break-down of hours as for PPL(H)/CPL(H) (see CARs below)

BFTS = Tamworth, NSW
2FTS = RAAF Base Pearce, WA
SAA = School of Army Aviation, Oakey, Qld
OFT - Operational Flying Training (RAAF)
IFC - Introductory Fighter Course (RAAF)
LFT - Navy Lead-in Flying Training (RAN)
ROBC - Army Regimental Officers Basic Course (Army)

NB. Army and RAN pilots are not eligible for issue of a CPL(A), unless they undergo a fixed wing conversion course after graduating Wings.

Otherwise to be eligible for issue of a CPL(A) they must pass the required CASA 'bridging' CPL exams (seen on the CASA website) specific to the category of aircraft (ie. Aeroplane) + meet the civilian equivalent of hours as for the CPL(A) + CPL flight test with a civilian approved testing officer or CASA FOI.

Fixed wing time accrued while flight training can be used towards the issue of CPLA

The Civil Aviation Regulations do not allow for partial recognition of ADF qualifications. In other words, aside from recognising aeronautical experience, credit cannot be given for partial completion of a military flying course; nor may an ADF qualification be considered equivalent if the pilot completes further training or a flight test.

If	Action
Equivalent (graduate)	•The pilot may be issued with the appropriate private or commercial pilot licence on application, provided he or she meets the aeronautical experience requirements for the licence.
Equivalent (graduate)	• The holder of an ADF flight engineer qualification may be issued with a flight engineer licence on application.
Not equivalent (non-graduate or not yet graduated)	• The applicant must meet all requirements specified in the CARs for issue of the licence, including CASA theory exam and civilian flight test.
Not equivalent (non-graduate or not yet graduated)	• The applicant may credit his or her flying hours with the ADF towards the experience requirements for the licence.

**The qualification is either equivalent or it is not**

Graduates of the above courses may be issued the relevant licence without further examination provided they meet the civilian aeronautical experience requirements, as that set out in the CARs, for the relevant licence, see below:

5.84 Private pilot (aeroplane) licence: aeronautical experience required

For the purposes of paragraph 5.77 (1) (f), a person's aeronautical experience must consist of at least 40 hours of flight time as a pilot, being flight time that includes:
1. at least 5 hours of general flight time as pilot in command; and
2. at least 5 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command; and
3. at least 2 hours of instrument flight time.
The 40 hours must be recognised flight time that was flown in a registered aeroplane, recognised aeroplane, helicopter, gyroplane, glider, power‑assisted sailplane or group A ultralight.

Note: When ADF pilots are applying for a fixed wing licence, they must consider if they have met the requirements of cross-country navexes; eg. for a PPL(A) issue, not only does the pilot have to accrue 5 hrs PIC cross-country, but he/she has to meet the additional criteria:

For the purposes of paragraph (1) (b), the flight time must include 1 flight of at least 150 miles that includes at least 1 full stop landing at, and at least 1 take‑off from, each of 2 or more aerodromes:
1. that are not the aerodrome from which the flight commenced; and
2. that are not within the student pilot area limit of the aerodrome from which the flight commenced.
For the purposes of subregulation (3), a landing is a full stop landing if, after landing; the aeroplane's speed is reduced to taxi speed before take‑off begins.

CPL(A) Required Hours

5.115 Aeronautical experience: persons other than commercially trained persons and helicopter pilots

For the purposes of subparagraph 5.104 (1) (f) (ii), the aeronautical experience of a person who is not covered by regulation 5.113 or 5.114 must consist of:
1. at least 100 hours as pilot in command; and
2. at least 100 hours of flight time in a registered aeroplane, or a recognised aeroplane; and
3. at least 20 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command of a registered aeroplane, or a recognised aeroplane; and
4. at least 10 hours of instrument flight time in a registered aeroplane, or a recognised aeroplane.
For the purposes of subregulation (1), the same flight time may be counted towards as many of paragraphs (1) (a), (b), (c) and (d) as describe the flight time.
If a person complies with subregulation (1) by flying a total flight time of less than 200 hours, the person's aeronautical experience for the purposes of subparagraph 5.104 (1) (f) (ii) must include a period of additional flight time equal to the difference between 200 hours and that total flight time.
In this regulation: additional flight time means recognised flight time as a pilot of any 1 or more of the following:
1. a registered aeroplane;
2. a recognised aeroplane;
3. a helicopter;
4. a gyroplane;
5. a glider (other than a hang glider).

5.127 Commercial (helicopter) pilot: aeronautical experience required

For the purposes of paragraph 5.120 (1) (f), a person's aeronautical experience must consist of:
1. if the person holds a commercial pilot (aeroplane) licence or a commercial pilot (gyroplane) licence:
  1. (i) at least 70 hours of flight time in a helicopter; or
  2. (ii) if the person undertook a special training course and completed the final 30 hours of the course within a period of 3 consecutive calendar months — at least 60 hours of flight time in a helicopter; or
2. if the person holds a private pilot (aeroplane) licence or a private pilot (gyroplane) licence:
  1. (i) at least 80 hours of flight time in a helicopter; or
  2. (ii) if the person undertook a special training course and completed the final 30 hours of the course within a period of 3 consecutive calendar months — at least 70 hours of flight time in a helicopter; or
3. in any other case:
  1. (i) at least 125 hours of flight time in a helicopter; or
  2. (ii) if the person undertook a special training course and completed the final 30 hours of the course within a period of 3 consecutive calendar months — at least 105 hours of flight time in a helicopter.
For the purposes of paragraph (1) (a), the flight time must include:
1. at least 30 hours of flight time in dual flying; and
2. at least 20 hours of general flight time as pilot in command; and
3. at least 5 hours of cross-country flight time that includes at least 3 hours of flight time as pilot in command.
For the purposes of paragraph (1) (b), the flight time must include:
1. at least 30 hours of flight time in dual flying; and
2. at least 20 hours of general flight time as pilot in command; and
3. at least 15 hours of cross-country flight time that includes at least 5 hours of flight time as pilot in command.
For the purposes of paragraph (1) (c), the flight time must include:
1. at least 40 hours of flight time in dual flying; and
2. at least 25 hours of general flight time as pilot in command; and
3. at least 25 hours of cross-country flight time that includes at least 10 hours of flight time as pilot in command.

5.93 Private pilot (helicopter) licence: aeronautical experience required

For the purposes of paragraph 5.87 (1) (f), a person's aeronautical experience must consist of:
1. if the person holds an aeroplane pilot licence or a gyroplane pilot licence — at least 38 hours of flight time as a pilot of a helicopter that includes:
  1. (i) at least 35 hours of general flight time; and
  2. (ii) at least 3 hours of cross-country flight time; or
2. in any other case — at least 50 hours of flight time as a pilot of a helicopter that includes:
  1. (i) at least 35 hours of general flight time; and
  2. (ii) at least 15 hours of cross-country flight time.
For the purposes of subparagraphs (1) (a) (i) and (1) (b) (i), the 35 hours of general flight time must include:
1. at least 20 hours of flight time in dual flying; and
2. at least 10 hours of flight time as pilot in command.
For the purposes of subparagraph (1) (a) (ii), the 3 hours of cross-country flight time must be flown in dual flying.
For the purposes of subparagraph (1) (b) (ii), the 15 hours of cross-country flight time must include at least 6 hours of flight time as pilot in command.
(5) For the purposes of subregulation (4), the 6 hours of flight time as pilot in command must include at least 1 flight:
1. to a destination that is at least 70 miles from the place from which the flight commenced; and
2. that includes at least 1 landing at, and 1 take‑off from, that destination.

*ADF flight crew who subsequently complete their operational conversion are eligible for the relevant commercial pilot licence provided they satisfy the civilian aeronautical experience requirements, as set out in CARs, for the PPL or CPL licence*

ELP (English Language Proficiency)

All military pilots must be aware that as from the 5 March 2008, all new licence issues, ( PPL, CPL, and ATPL) require that a pilot has an English language proficiency assessment. The assessment is conducted by Australian approved persons, ATOs and Instructors. Once completed, the form must be attached with every ADF application. A licence cannot be issued without the proper assessment form.

Further information of the assessment can be found on the CASA website http://www.casa.gov.au/fcl/language/index.htm
Approved language test centres are: Assessment Services Ltd (ASL) ; Griffith English Language Institute and RMIT English Worldwide

CIR

ADF pilots are not eligible for issue of a Command Instrument Rating (CIR) based upon an IR issued by the ADF. CASA will recognise the military syllabus of the instrument training; however the pilot must pass the CASA IREX theory exam and undergo a CIR flight test (s/e or m/e) with a civilian industry ATO or CASA FOI (in a civilian aircraft). A flight simulator may be used if necessary for the flight test provided it is CASA approved and the testing officer has the appropriate CASA delegation.

Flight Instructor (Aeroplane) Ratings (FI(A)R) (Refer to CAO 40.1.7)

ADF pilots are eligible for issue of Flight Instructor (Aeroplane) Rating (FI(A)R) if they are a graduate of the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal New Zealand Air Force or Royal Air Force, Central Flying School.

As a prerequisite, for a FI(A)R they must hold a current and valid CASA CP(A)L or ATP(A)L as well as a current aeroplane NVFR or Command (aeroplane) Instrument Rating. The ADF pilot must then pass a flight test with a CASA Flying Operations Inspector (FOI), an Approved Test Officer (ATO) or Approved Person for issue of a FI(A)R Grade 3.

Applicants may be exempt from the requirements to hold a FI(A)R Grade 3 or FI(A)R Grade 2 for 6 months and/or 12 months respectively if approved in writing by CASA. Applicants seeking an exemption will need to submit a written application to CASA detailing their instructional qualifications and aeronautical experience. CASA may, at it's absolute discretion grant complete or partial exemption, or may refuse to give an exemption.

Flight Instructor (Helicopter) Ratings (FI(H)R) (Refer to CAO 40.3.7)

ADF pilots may be eligible for issue of a FIR(H) if they have successfully completed a recognised QFI course from within the Defence Force of Australia, CFS of RNZAF and RAF. As a precursor, they must hold a current and valid CASA CPL(H) or ATPL(H) as well as having accrued 400 hours flight time in a helicopter.

Flight Engineers

Qualified ADF flight engineers may be issued with a civilian flight engineer licence without undergoing further examinations or a flight test.

ADF Flight Time to Civilian conversion (for filling out CASA forms)

As part of their training and subsequent military flying duties, the ADF award their pilots Captain, First Pilot and Second Pilot qualifications for particular aircraft (day only or day/night).

These endorsements are equivalent to civilian Command, ICUS and Co-pilot endorsements respectively.

Adjustment of Flight Time for ADF Pilots

Unlike civilian pilots, trainees at BFTS & 2FTS do not include taxi time when logging flights. To bring an ADF pilot's aeronautical experience into line with a civilian pilot, flight time logged may be increased by 6 minutes per flight (or by 0.1 where the time is logged as a decimal.

ASICs and AVIDs

ADF pilots must apply for a compulsory security background check before they can be issued with a licence (by law). The military security checks that an ADF pilot has undergone previously while enlisting and during his/her ROS does not comply with an ASIC/AVID check requirements. Therefore, a 639 form must be filled out either before or simultaneously with a licence application.

An ASIC is valid for 2 years; and an AVID is valid for 5 years. An ASIC will allow a pilot into a security controlled airport while an AVID will not.

What if you failed to graduate?

Apart from recognising aeronautical experience, credit cannot be given for partial completion of an ADF pilot course or operational conversion. This means that you would be required to meet all requirements set out in the CARs for the licence sought, including completion of the specified theory exams and flight test (for the licence level sought).

Should you have graduated from a recognised course but not continued with your conversion, you would only be eligible for a private pilot licence.

What you need to submit

Form 639 - Application for aviation security check, and
A PPL(A), CPL(A), ATPL(H), etc. civilian licence application form completed for licence level sought, and
Form 186 - Application for Flight Crew Licence on the Basis of ADF Qualifications , and
Flight Radiotelephone Licence form, and
An English Language Proficiency form

NB. Please be aware that if an ADF application posted into CASA is lacking any of the forms listed above (for the qualification requested), it will promptly be returned to sender without action.

You will also need to provide evidence of your defence force qualifications held on graduation and other milestones achieved in the pilot's military flying career (eg. front part of logbook that show issue of ADF wings badge awarded, Cat D, C, B aircraft type rated, etc. and Aircrew Flying Summary sheets, if available, usually from Army) plus last few pages of logbook showing aeronautical experience (certified true copies of original logbook pages required) and any pages requesting aircraft endorsement/s sought.

It is recommended that the application be made in writing specifying what qualifications you are wanting, with the documents mentioned above attached to the application. However, it is a requirement that a pilot fill out both the 186 form and a licence application form.

Helicopter pilots requesting endorsements for sling load, rappelling & winching operations are required to seek out an approved person (Section 9 refers) who hold the desired qualifications for issue of the relevant endorsement/s. The approved person is to fill out a sticky strip label ( Form 214 ) and enter into your pilot logbook. A copy is to be sent to CLARC in Canberra to update your flight crew licence records.

If you are seeking a formation endorsement you must satisfy a civilian flight instructor that you are competent in accordance with CAR 163AA(2) .

There is no direct recognition of low flying training completed in the ADF, however you may seek low flying training completion approval if you fulfil the requirements of CAO 29.10 (Aerial Stock Mustering) para 7(1)(b) with an approved person.

For further clarification of the above requirements, please read the table under para 6.10.4 Requirements - Endorsements

Hold overseas military qualifications?

The above exemptions apply to serving and former members of the ADF as well as those operating on exchange with the ADF who are engaged in flight crew duties.

However, apart from flight time accrued in a military establishment of an ICAO country, there is no legislative provision that allows CASA to recognise qualifications issued by foreign military institutions, with the exception of some allowance for military flight instructors. As a consequence, overseas military pilots and flight engineers must obtain a civilian flight crew licence in their own country (or another ICAO country) and before applying for the Australian equivalent.

Requirement for medical

You must obtain the appropriate CASA medical certificate before you undertake a flight test for a licence or rating, or before exercising the privileges of a licence issued to you.
List of medical examiners

Flight crew exams and licences