How pilots are licenced and checked

Every pilot, whether they fly professionally or for fun, needs a pilot’s licence issued by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority. There are more than 30,000 active pilots in Australia.

Becoming a licenced pilot

Getting your pilot's licence involves comprehensive training both in theoretical and practical learning. Pilots must sit written and practical examinations and must meet regular competency checks and requirements to ensure they are competent to fly.

There are distinct categories of pilot licences. A recreational or private pilot licence grants the pilot the privilege to fly themselves and people they know for fun.

Compared to a recreational licence, pilots wanting to fly a commercial or air transport aircraft undergo more extensive training. We authorise pilots to fly professionally, provided they do it under an approved operator.

Typically, aspiring airline or commercial pilots start their careers by gaining a private pilot's licence.

There are different licences for helicopters and airplanes. Each type of aircraft specifies the types of qualifications and requirements a pilot needs to operate safely.

You can find further details on pursuing a career in aviation with our student guide.

How licences work

Pilots typically gain their licence through the national aviation authority in the country they live in. In most cases, once a pilot gains their licence it remains valid indefinitely. However, they still must meet certain obligations to keep their flying privileges. We refer to this as 'exercising the privileges of their licence.'

These obligations include:

  • undergoing periodic medical examinations
  • flight reviews
  • proficiency checks.

Medical examinations

Professional pilots have stringent medical assessments and regulatory requirements they must meet to continue flying. For detailed insights into the various types of pilot licenses issued, you can learn more on our pilot licences we issue page.

Flight reviews

A flight review involves an instructor assessing a pilot's competency and is a mandatory process even if a pilot doesn't fly regularly. We require a review after a pilot hasn’t flown for prolonged periods of time or when they want to resume flying after a hiatus.

Proficiency checks

Proficiency checks are rigorous evaluations we conduct to make sure pilots have the necessary skills, knowledge, and competency to safely operate aircraft. Certified flight examiners conduct these checks.

Licences, ratings and endorsements

Pilot licences include information about the use of license, qualifications you have gained, along with operational ratings and endorsements.

Operational ratings or endorsements expand the privileges of the licence holder. This allows them to do more complex flying tasks.

Examples of operational ratings and endorsements include night flying and teaching others to fly as a flight instructor. Pilots must take additional training and successfully pass flight tests to gain these ratings and endorsements.

Limitations

Certain pilots may possess limitations for specific conditions. For example, some pilots hold qualifications to operate under day visual flight rules conditions, restricting their flights to clear weather conditions where visibility is optimal.

Other pilots may have the appropriate training to operate under instrument flight rules conditions. This allows them to navigate solely by using the aircraft's instrument panel.

Under the rules, pilots must operate only within conditions and limitations for which they are adequately trained and qualified for. This includes making sure they have the right license and fulfill ongoing training requirements. We refer to these as 'recency requirements'.

For further information about how we issue licenses and authorisations, you can find more on our licences and certificates page.

Last updated:
1 Mar 2024
Online version available at: https://www.casa.gov.au//operations-safety-and-travel/consumer-and-passenger-advice/how-people-working-aviation-are-licenced/how-pilots-are-licenced-and-checked
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