Part 61 of the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations (CASR) details what flight crew need to do to obtain and maintain licences, ratings and endorsements.
An aircraft rating is a flight crew qualification that allows you to operate particular aircraft. The rating(s) you need depends on the type of pilot licence you hold and the aircraft you want to fly.
Aircraft category rating
When getting a pilot licence, you must choose the category of aircraft that your training and qualifications will relate to.
Under Part 61 there are 6 aircraft category ratings:
- aeroplane
- helicopter
- powered-lift aircraft
- gyroplane
- airship.
To operate an Australian (VH) registered aircraft as pilot in command or co-pilot, you must hold the correct category rating on your licence. However, you must also have the class or type rating for the aircraft you want to fly.
You can apply to add another category rating on your licence once you have your initial licence and rating.
For aircraft category rating requirements see Part 61 Division 61.L.2—Aircraft category ratings.
Class ratings
With a flight crew licence, you will typically have at least one class rating for an aircraft associated with your licence category rating.
If you hold a class rating, you can operate any aircraft in the class not designated as a type-rated aircraft.
Part 61 details 5 different aircraft class ratings:
- single-engine aeroplane
- multi-engine aeroplane
- single-engine helicopter
- single-engine gyroplane
- airship.
For example, if you learnt to fly in a Cessna 182 and have a recreational pilot licence (RPL), your licence will be issued with:
- an aeroplane category rating
- a single-engine aeroplane class rating.
If you hold a single-engine aeroplane class rating you may be allowed to fly some multi-engine aeroplanes. For example, multi‑engine centre‑line thrust aeroplanes. However, you will have to complete extra flight training and a flight review or endorsement before you're permitted to do so.
To get a class rating you must complete flight training and pass a flight test with an examiner. You can usually complete this as part of your training for a category rating.
Find more guidance about getting a class rating.
For aircraft class rating requirements see Part 61 Division 61.L.3—Aircraft class ratings.
Type ratings
We also specify type ratings for more complex aircraft so pilots complete additional training before flying them.
CASA specifies pilot type ratings for aircraft. This includes aircraft:
- certified to be operated by more than one pilot
- certified in the transport category
- multi-engine turbo-jet powered
- fitted with more complex systems
- with unique handling or performance characteristics.
Where appropriate, CASA also specifies type ratings for cruise relief co-pilots and flight engineers.
Cruise relief co-pilot type ratings authorise the holder to act as co-pilot of the aircraft type when the aircraft is at or above FL200.
Flight engineer type ratings authorise the holder to act as flight engineer of aircraft types that have a flight engineer when operating.
To get a type rating you must complete flight training and pass a flight test with an examiner.
Find more guidance about getting a type rating.
When you need a type rating
You need a type rating on your licence to fly all multi-crew certified aircraft. You may also need a type rating for some single-pilot certified aircraft.
Unless you are receiving flight training for the type rating, all members of the flight crew must hold the type rating relevant to the aircraft.
You can find aircraft that have a type rating in the Part 61 Flight Crew Licensing (Prescribed Aircraft and Type Ratings) Instrument 2023.
To guide which type of rating you need for a specific aircraft, see our:
For aircraft type rating requirements see Part 61 Division 61.L.5—Pilot type ratings.