An aircraft rating is a flight crew qualification that allows you to operate particular aircraft.
We will issue your first licence with the class rating relevant to the aircraft in which you completed the flight training and flight test for your pilot licence. For example, you will typically complete the training and flight test for the single-engine aeroplane class rating as part of your pilot licence training.
You must already hold a private, commercial, multi-crew or air transport pilot licence to apply for a multi-engine aeroplane class rating.
You can apply to add another class rating on your licence once you have your initial licence.
To keep your aircraft class rating current, you must have completed a flight test or flight review relevant to the class rating within the past 2 years.
Training
To get a class rating you must complete flight training for the rating and pass a flight test with an authorised flight examiner. You must complete the training and flight test in an aircraft of the same class rating as the class you are applying for.
You must do your training with a Part 141 or Part 142 flight training operator. The operator you choose must have authorisation from us to conduct training for the relevant class rating.
Your training must cover all the competency standards specified for the rating in the Part 61 Manual of Standards.
For the multi-engine aeroplane class rating, you will need to complete training conducted by an instructor who holds a multi-engine aeroplane training endorsement.
When you pass the flight test for a class rating, the flight examiner enters the details on your licence. The examiner will notify us so that we can update your flight crew record with your new rating.
Flying a different aircraft in a class rating
If you hold a class rating and want to fly another aircraft in the same class, you need to make sure you have the appropriate skill under the general competency rules.
Consider taking a flight with a qualified instructor to learn about the aircraft operation including:
- pre-flight planning
- operation of all the aircraft systems
- in-flight performance and handling.
You don't need to do this training through a Part 141 operator unless the aircraft requires type-specific training.
Class-rated aircraft that require specific training
We have specified extra flight training and a flight review for some aircraft covered by a class rating, that are not type-rated. You can check the specific models of aircraft in Schedule 12, 13 and 14 of the Prescription of aircraft and ratings legislative instrument.
Before you can act as a pilot-in-command for such aircraft, you must complete type-specific training and a flight review for the aircraft.
Examples of single-engine aeroplanes that require specific training include:
- Pilatus PC-12
- Textron C208 Caravan
- Daher TBM models.
Examples of multi-engine aeroplanes that require specific training include:
- Textron King Air 90 and 200 models
- Piper PA31T Cheyenne
- Viking Air DHC-6.
Under the CASR, we can add extra conditions on classes of authorisation.
Read regulation 11.068 of CASR to learn more.
If you want to fly a Robinson R22 or R44 helicopter, you must first have completed a flight review on one of those models.
Read CASA 62/20 — Conditions on Flight Crew Authorisations (Edition 3) Instrument 2020 to learn more.
After completing the initial training and flight review you can keep flying the aircraft as long as you have a valid flight review for the class rating.
Most aircraft under the single-engine helicopter class rating also require a type rating.
Regulations for aircraft class ratings
The rules for aircraft class ratings are in these sections of Part 61 of CASR Flight crew licensing:
- Regulation 61.195 Flight training requirements
- Division 61.L.3—Aircraft class ratings