An aircraft pilot or flight engineer type rating is a flight crew qualification that allows you to operate certain types of aircraft. Some type ratings cover several models or variants of the same type. Differences training is sometimes required to fly a different model once you have obtained the type rating.
Read our guides for a type-rating for a specific aircraft:
To get a type rating, you must complete a course of training conducted by a Part 141 or Part 142 flight training operator. The course includes knowledge and practical training activities. On completion you need to pass a type rating flight test to be issued the rating.
When you pass the flight test for a type rating, the flight examiner will enter the rating on your licence and notify us via our online notification portal.
Your licence records will be automatically updated and you be able to see your new type rating on your digital licence.
Converting a foreign or ADF type rating
You can apply to us for a type rating that is on your foreign licence. Also, if you are qualified under the ADF system to fly a type of aircraft that is included in a type rating, you can apply to us to have the type rating granted.
Using my type rating
You can use your new type rating as soon as the rating is recorded on your licence.
To keep using your type rating you need to have completed a type rating flight review or a proficiency check within the previous 2 years.
Additional rules apply if you are flying for an operator such as induction and recurrent training.
To conduct a flight under the Instrument Flight Rules (IFR) in a type rated aircraft you must have a valid instrument proficiency check relevant to the kind of aircraft.
Differences training
Some type ratings cover several models of the same type of aircraft. Where the differences between the models is significant and it has been determined that pilots need to complete additional training in an aircraft or flight simulator, for that model, differences training will be specified.
Pilots and flight engineers who hold a type rating need to complete differences training when it is prescribed for a model they have not completed the training for.
The Prescription of aircraft and ratings legislative instrument lists the pilot and flight engineer type ratings and the aircraft models that require differences training.
See the guide to aeroplane type ratings for more information.
There is no flight test required at the completion of the course of differences training. The flight training operator should issue a course completion certificate for your records.
The models covered by the type rating are not listed on your pilot licence. You need to keep a record of the differences training you complete.
Training conducted overseas
When the training for a type rating is not available within Australia, we may recognise equivalent training conducted overseas.
We will only recognise training provided by an operator authorised by a foreign national aviation authority (NAA) we officially recognise.
If you received training overseas, a person authorised to conduct the equivalent of our type rating flight test must assess you as competent. The foreign examiner must have authorisation from the same NAA who approved the operator to conduct the training.
Contact us before commencing any training overseas to make sure your training will be recognised as equivalent.
Flight simulators for type rating training
You must complete flight training for some aircraft type ratings using a flight simulator:
- Aircraft with a maximum certified seating capacity of 9 or more passengers:
You must do the training in an approved flight simulator if it is available and located within Australia. - Aircraft with a maximum certified take-off weight that is more than 8,618 kg or a maximum certified seating capacity of more than 19:
You must do the training in an approved flight simulator if there is one available within Australia or overseas.
Read Part 61.205 for more information.
Co-pilot and cruise-relief ratings
Co-pilots must hold either a pilot type rating or a cruise relief co-pilot type rating.
If you have a type rating with a co-pilot limitation on your licence, you can have the limitation removed by completing the type rating training and passing the flight test for the type rating.
The training you need to complete must satisfy the competency standards specified for the type rating. The training provider can determine the required training using a process for recognition of prior learning.
The cruise relief co-pilot type rating is for pilots who conduct long duration flights that require additional crew members to mitigate risks of fatigue. It only allows you to co-pilot:
- with an operator that has an approved training and checking system, and
- only while the aircraft is at flight level 200 or above.
Requirements for multi-crew operations
A multi-crew operation is any flight the regulations require you to conduct with more than 1 pilot.
Pilots in a multi-crew operation must:
- complete multi-crew cooperation training, or
- have conducted multi-crew operations prior to 1 September 2015, or
- hold an ATPL.
Regulations for aircraft type ratings
The rules for type-rated aircraft are in these sections of Part 61 of CASR Flight crew licensing:
- Division 61.B.2—Flight training and other training
- Division 61.L.5—Pilot type ratings
- Division 61.L.6—Cruise relief type ratings
- Subpart 61.Z—Glider pilot licences