You must complete multi-crew cooperation (MCC) training if you want to take part in a multi-crew operation.
It will give you the knowledge and skills to do pilot-in-command or co-pilot duties whether flying or monitoring.
The training is generic and not for a particular type or category of aircraft.
The concepts of MCC training are embedded in command upgrade training. You can integrate the training into your command upgrade training courses if it is approved by Part 142 of CASR training.
Multi-crew operations
A multi-crew operation is:
- the aircraft is certificated to be operated by a crew of at least 2 pilots (a multi-crew aircraft)
- the regulations require the aircraft to be operated by a crew of at least 2 pilots even if the aircraft is certificated for single-pilot operations (such as larger air transport operations).
Who needs to do MCC training
You need to complete an approved multi-crew cooperation training course if you want to:
- get an air transport pilot licence (ATPL)
- conduct a multi-crew operation.
We recommend you do the training before you start for a multi-crew certificated aircraft type training. Some type rating courses integrate MCC training into the type rating course.
MCC training is a component of an approved multi-crew pilot licence (MPL) training program.
Types of aircraft certificated for single-pilot and multi-crew operations
Some aircraft types receive certification for both single-pilot and multi-crew operations. If you complete your training and flight test to obtain the multi-crew type rating, you cannot fly the aircraft as a single pilot. You must complete the single-pilot type rating instead. However, if you obtain the single-pilot type rating and complete MCC training, you can then fly the aircraft in a multi-crew configuration.
Note: provision has been made to recognise previous training and experience to comply with the MCC training requirement. Further information is at CASA EX32/24 Flight crew licensing.
Where to do MCC training
You can do MCC training with:
- flight training operators who hold a Part 142 certificate that includes MCC training
- Air Operator’s Certificate (AOC) holders who hold an approval to conduct MCC- training (regulation 142.040 approval).
You will need to do the MCC training as part of upgrade to command upgrading from a commercial pilot licence (CPL) to an ATP.
If you have an ATPL, you can fly in multi-crew operations, even if you have no multi-crew operational experience. The training you receive during type rating and operator’s induction, conversion and command training and checking to ensure you're competent.
Who can conduct MCC training
Flight and simulator instructors can conduct MCC training if they hold the multi-crew pilot training endorsement (MCP-TE). They can only conduct the training for a Part 142 training operator.
Some instructors are authorised by a regulation 142.040 approval to conduct MCC training.
If you hold a pilot instructor rating and hold or have held a regulation 142.040 approval to conduct MCC training, you can apply to CASA for an MCP-TE. The conversion has been made possible by an exemption instrument which recognises the training and assessment you have done to get your 142.040 approval.
Another instrument places limitations on the endorsement to align with the approval. In addition to conducting MCC training, you can also conduct ATPL flight training if you hold relevant qualifications.
What the MCC instruments mean for pilot instructors
The exemption applies to holders of a flight or simulator instructor rating who also hold or have held a regulation 142.040 approval to conduct MCC training.
The exemption recognises the 142.040 approval training and assessment completed by pilot instructors as meeting the requirements for the grant of the MCP-TE. These instructors don't have to complete additional training or a flight test for the endorsement and only need to apply to CASA for the endorsement.
This means you will be granted the endorsement on your licence and you won’t need to apply to have the approval renewed every 2 years.
You hold an approval even if you are listed on an approval instrument held by Part 142 operator and do not have a separate personal approval instrument.
To exercise the privileges of your new endorsement, you will need to comply with the normal instructor rating requirements such as proficiency checks as an instructor in the same way as you have needed to according to your 142.040 approval.
Another benefit of holding the endorsement is you are not restrained to the operator named on the approval instrument.
There is a separate instrument restricts the privileges of the MCP-TE to conducting MCC training. However, you are authorised to conduct ATPL flight training if you meet the following requirements:
- hold an ATPL
- either:
- authorised by a training and checking system to conduct command upgrade training
- hold a type rating training endorsement for a multi-crew type certificated aircraft
- have at least 200 hours of flight time as pilot in command of multi-crew operations
- hold an instrument rating training endorsement if the training is for a student pilot who does not hold an instrument rating.
View the instruments
- CASA EX32/24 — Flight Crew Licensing and Other Matters (Miscellaneous Exemptions) Instrument 2024
- CASA 62/20 — Conditions on Flight Crew Authorisations (Edition 3) Instrument 2020
MCC training format
MCC training covers:
- knowledge of ATPL human factors
- practical application of knowledge and skills in managing flight during multi-crew operations.
Details of the training are in Part 61 Manual of Standards (MOS), Appendix B.3.
It includes classroom or eLearning and practical training in a suitable flight simulation training device.
After the training
Your training provider will give you a course completion certificate when you finish the training.
Show the certificate to flight examiner if you are doing your ATPL flight test.
You should consider giving your operator a copy of the certificate if you are going to be conducting multi-crew operations.
Regulations for multi-crew operations
The rules for multi-crew operations are in the following sections of Part 61 of CASR (Flight crew licencing):
- Regulation 61.010 – definitions including multi-crew operation, multi-crew, multi-crew type rating, single-pilot operation
- Regulation 61.055 – prescription of type ratings and variants — multi-crew aircraft
- Regulation 61.375 – limitations on exercise of privileges of pilot licences — ratings
- Regulation 61.510 – limitations on exercise of privileges of private pilot licences – multi-crew operations
- Regulation 61.575 – limitations on exercise of privileges of commercial pilot licences – multi-crew operations
- Division 61.J – Multi-crew pilot licences
- Regulation 61.655 – requirements for grant of multi-crew pilot licences
- Regulation 61.700 – requirements for grant of air transport pilot licences
- Regulation 61.735 – privileges of aircraft class ratings
- Regulation 61.785 – limitations on exercise of privileges of pilot type ratings – single-pilot operation and multi-crew operations
- Regulation 61.815 – Person taken to meeting requirements for grant of pilot type rating — multi-crew pilot licence holder
- Regulation 61.822 – removal of type rating condition about acting as pilot in command
- Regulation 61.845 – requirements for grant of cruise relief type ratings
- Regulation 61.1235 – Kind of training endorsements – item 4
- Regulation 202.266 – removal of conditions on certain continued authorisations
- Regulation 202.268 – removal of limitation on exercises of privileges of private or commercial pilot licences – multi-crew operations.