Multi-engine helicopters exemption

Helicopter pilots can use a class-like system for flight crew licences for some multi-engine helicopters. This means that you can gain authorisation to fly specified multi-engine helicopters without needing a type rating.

Flight instructors and examiners don't need to hold a training or examiner endorsement for each type of helicopter in the class.

Pilots still need type specific training and an assessment (equivalent to a flight review).

The legislative basis

The Part 61 flight crew licensing rules do not make provision for a multi-engine helicopter (MEH) class rating. All multi-engine helicopters have type ratings. We plan to make changes to Part 61 to create a class rating, but this will take some time.

We have made an exemption to allow helicopter pilots to take immediate advantage of the planned change. It creates a class-like system for specified single-pilot certified multi-engine helicopters. This exemption works in the same way as current fixed-wing aircraft class ratings for prescribed aircraft.

What this means

Pilots who hold a multi-engine helicopter type rating can fly other specified multi-engine helicopters without needing to hold multiple type ratings.

Flight instructors and flight examiners who train on more than one helicopter can also conduct flight training or flight tests for specified multi-engine helicopters.

The exemption also sets out which multi-engine helicopters we consider part of the system.

Helicopters the exemption applies to

You can only use this exemption for certain helicopters. You can find these listed in Schedule 1 of the exemption and in the following table.

Read more about the CASA EX49/22 - Multi-Engine Helicopters Exemption 2022.

How the exemption works for pilots

A pilot with a type rating for a helicopter listed in the exemption can fly another model of helicopter in the same class-like system. You do not need to pass a flight test.

For each new helicopter within the system that you intend to fly, you will need to complete:

• type-specific training
• an assessment (equivalent to a flight review).

You must also complete a biennial competency assessment. You can do this by completing either:

• a flight review for a multi-engine helicopter type rating you hold
• an assessment for another model of helicopter in the same class-like system that you have authorisation to fly. This assessment is equivalent to a flight review.

We treat flight reviews and assessments equivalent to flight reviews the same in practice.

When you complete an assessment that is equivalent to a flight review in a model of helicopter in the class-like system you meet the flight review requirements for:

• any other multi-engine helicopter type rating
• single-engine helicopter type ratings
• single-engine helicopter class rating.

How the multi-engine rating appears on your licence

The details of an exemption will not appear on your licence document until we make permanent changes to CASR Part 61.

Until then, we will enter your details provided to us into our system as part of your record. As part of the exemption, we will also provide you with a letter confirming you:

• are authorised to fly the type and model of aircraft
• have completed the training and assessment on.

This information will appear on your licence in the future when we permanently change the flight crew licensing rules.

Example: Pilot with at least one of the relevant type ratings

Sam is an experienced helicopter pilot and holds a CPL and the AS355 type rating.

Sam wants to learn how to fly the A109S, a multi-engine helicopter covered by the A109 type rating.

Under CASA EX49/22, Sam completes training with a flight training operator that has an approved training course for the A109 type rating.

Sam then successfully completes a flight review for the A109S with an instructor authorised to conduct the flight review.

Sam now has the authority to pilot the aircraft but she does not have the A109 type rating.

An authorised instructor for a Part 141 operator can conduct Sam’s training and flight review.

Read how the exemption works for flight instructors.

Example: Pilot seeking initial issue for type rating

Alex is a helicopter pilot who holds a PPL and single-engine helicopter class rating but does not hold a multi-engine helicopter type rating.

Alex wants to attain the A109 type rating. First, she must complete flight training and a flight test for the grant of the A109 type rating under CASR requirements.

Alex can complete the training at a Part 141 operator with an approved training course for the type rating.

An authorised instructor for a Part 141 operator can conduct flight training.

Read how the exemption works for flight instructors.

An examiner authorised to conduct flight testing for the A109 can conduct Alex’s flight test.

Once Alex has achieved the A109 type rating, she can either:

• complete differences training for other A109 variants
• become authorised to pilot other multi-engine helicopters under CASA EX49/22.

See our Example: Pilot with at least one of the relevant type ratings for more information.

You can also read our how the exemption works for flight instructors to learn how examiners are authorised to conduct a flight test.

How the exemption works for flight instructors

If you hold a type training endorsement for at least one multi-engine type of helicopter in the class, you can conduct:

• training
• flight reviews and assessments equivalent to flight reviews
• differences training.

After conducting an assessment equivalent to a flight review, you need to notify CASA. You can notify us the same way you would for a flight review.

You can conduct these activities for any of the other specified multi-engine helicopters that you:

• are authorised to fly
• have accrued at least 25 hours of pilot-in-command experience in.

Example: Instructors with at least one type rating training endorsement

Amy is an experienced helicopter instructor who holds the A109 type rating training endorsement and the instructor rating training endorsement.

Amy works for a Part 141 operator to conduct flight training for the A109 type rating. Amy’s employer also conducts flight training for:

• AS355 type rating
• flight instructor rating
• training endorsements for each of the type ratings trained by the operator.

Amy does not hold the AS355 type rating or the type rating training endorsement for the AS355.

Amy completes training and a flight review for the AS355N model. Amy now has the authorisation to pilot the aircraft but does not have the AS355 type rating.

Once Amy has at least 25 hours PIC experience for the AS355N, she can:

• conduct AS355 type rating training for all pilots
• conduct AS355 flight reviews for pilots that already hold a multi-engine helicopter type rating.

Amy can also conduct flight training for the initial grant of the type rating training endorsement for the AS355 for an applicant’s first type rating training endorsement.

Example: Instructors seeking initial type rating training endorsement

Bob is an experienced helicopter instructor who holds the A109 type rating. He does not hold any type rating training endorsements.

Bob wants to conduct training for the A109 type rating. To gain his first type rating training endorsement he needs to complete training and a flight test.

Bob can complete the training at a Part 141 operator with an approved training course for the type rating training endorsement.

An authorised instructor for a Part 141 operator can conduct Bob’s flight training under CASA EX49/22. See our Example: Instructors with at least one type rating training endorsement to learn more.

An examiner authorised to conduct flight testing must conduct the flight test for the A109 type rating training endorsement. See How the exemption works for flight examiners for more information.

How the exemption works for flight examiners

As an examiner, you can conduct flight tests for any of the other specified multi-engine helicopters so long as you:

• hold a type rating flight test endorsement for at least one multi-engine helicopter
• are authorised to fly and conduct training for another multi-engine helicopter without holding a type-specific testing endorsement.

To do this, you will need to either:

• hold the relevant type-specific training endorsement
• become authorised to conduct training for the type. Learn more about the flight instructor requirements by reading How the exemption works for flight instructors.

To gain authorisation, you will need to complete:

• type-specific training
• an assessment for the specified helicopter type. This assessment is equivalent to a flight review.
• accrue at least 25 hours as pilot in command.

Read the Flight Test Management system pages for more information on the additional aircraft types added.

Example: Examiners with at least one type rating flight test endorsement

Al is an experienced helicopter examiner and holds the type rating flight test endorsement for the A109.

Al completes training and a flight review for the EC135. Al is authorised to pilot the aircraft but not granted the EC135 type rating.

Once Al has at least 25 hours PIC experience for the EC135, she can conduct flight training and flight tests for the EC135 as if she held:

• the type rating training endorsement
• the type rating flight test endorsement.

Al can now conduct flight tests in the EC135 for the initial issue of the EC135 type ratings. This includes conducting flight tests for pilots who do not already hold one of the nominated type ratings.

Examiners seeking initial type rating flight test endorsement

The exemption does not provide an alternative pathway for examiners to attain their initial type rating flight test endorsement.

We must assess the examiner for the grant of testing endorsements. An applicant for the type rating flight test endorsement must hold the type rating training endorsement for the specified aircraft type. The applicant must also hold the type rating for that aircraft.

How the exemption works for flight training operators

Under the existing rules, flight training operators (FTOs) must have the training they deliver listed on their Part 141 or Part 142 Certificate. They must also include relevant syllabuses in their operations manual or exposition.

Part 141 FTOs can conduct flight training for each of the listed multi-engine helicopters. This is because they also appear in the Prescription of type ratings excluded from CASR Part 142 Flight Training Instrument.