The term flight crew is used to refer to pilots, radiotelephone operators and flight engineers.

Currently competency is measured through theory and practical examinations to determine the level of a person's skill and knowledge following training and the accumulation of experience (ie. hours) as well as medical examinations to assess a person's fitness to hold the licence. Many of these examinations are conducted by the aviation industry or medical examiners on CASA's behalf.

A licence is the first and foremost qualification obtained by a pilot and indicates a general level of training, experience and achievement

An aircraft endorsement indicates that the licensed pilot has gained the hands on, manipulative skills and experience in a particular aircraft type or class of aircraft. Note, in qualifying for the licence, the pilot will obtain at least one aircraft endorsement.

A rating is a qualification that extends the privileges of the licence enabling the holder to engage in various operational activities following further training and testing; ie. ratings can be obtained for flying at night or solely by reference to the aircraft's instrument panel, to teach others to fly or to spray chemicals, seeds or fertilisers for agricultural purposes.

The full procedures for the issue of flight crew licences, endorsements and ratings are contained in the Flight Crew Licensing Manual. The regulatory requirements are contained in the Civil Aviation Regulations 1988, the Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998, and the Civil Aviation Orders.

Validity of Qualifications
Once issued, a flight crew licence is valid for life, however, the holder is required to undergo regular recency and medical checks. The frequency and degree of these tests depend upon the nature of the operations being conducted, the more complex the operation the more exacting the checks.

Aircraft endorsements are also valid for life. However, the onus is on the holder to ensure he or she has completed refresher training on the aircraft if he or she has not flown that type for some time.

Some ratings are valid while the licence is valid, other are subject to periodic flight checks.

Student Pilot Licence
Applicants must

• be at least 16 years of age
• be able to speak, read and understand the English language

The student pilot licence is a permit to learn to fly.

Student pilots can fly 'solo' but are restricted to their local training area; flights must also be authorised by their instructor

After they have completed further training and examination including a general flying progress test, student pilots may act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers, but not for hire or reward. The area restriction still applies as does requirement for flights to be authorised.

Private Pilot (Aeroplane) Licence
Applicants must

• be at least 17 years of age
• be able to speak, read and understand the English Language
• hold or be eligible to hold a flight radiotelephone operator licence
• have passed a written examination and flight test
• have a total of 40 hours flight time including at least

1. 5 hours of general flight time as pilot in command
2. 5 hours of cross country flight time as pilot in command
3. 2 hours of instrument flight time

Private pilots may fly themselves or passengers anywhere in Australia for recreational purposes and do not have to obtain prior authorisation from their instructor

Private pilots may share operating expenses of the aircraft with their passengers.

Commercial Pilot (Aeroplane) Licence
Applicants must

• be at least 18 years of age
• be able to speak, read and understand the English Language
• hold or be eligible to hold a flight radiotelephone operator licence
• have passed a written examination and flight test for CPL
• have passed a CASA approved integrated CPL course where the theory and flying training are co-ordinated and acquired 150 hours in aeroplanes with at least

1. 70 hours as pilot in command
2. 20 hours cross country as pilot in command
3. 10 hours instrument flight;

or have acquired at least 200 hours flight time including at least

1. 100 hours as pilot in command
2. 100 hours of flight time in aeroplanes
3. 20 hours cross country flight time as pilot in command of an aeroplane
4. 10 hours of instrument flight time in aeroplanes

Commercial pilots may fly for hire or reward. Commercial pilots are authorised to fly

• single pilot aircraft as pilot in command while the aircraft if engaged in any operation
• multi pilot aircraft as pilot in command but for private or aerial work operations only
• co-pilot of an aircraft engaged in any operation

 

Air Transport Pilot (Aeroplane) Licence
Applicants must:

• be at least 21 years of age
• be able to speak, read and understand the English Language
• hold or be eligible to hold a flight radiotelephone operator licence
• have passed a written examination (current exam consists of 7 parts)
• hold or have held a command multi engine instrument rating
• have a total of 1500 hours flight time:

including at least 750 hours which must include any of the following:

1. at least 250 hours of flight time as pilot in command;
2. at least 500 hours of flight time as pilot acting in command under supervision (ICUS);
3. at least 250 hours flight time, consisting of at least 70 hours as pilot in command and the balance as ICUS; and
4. 200 hours cross country; and
5. 75 hours instrument flight time; and
6. 100 hours at night as pilot in command or as co-pilot.
7. The balance of the 1500 hours of flight time must consist of any 1 of the following:

• not more than 750 hours flight time as pilot of a registered aeroplane, or a recognised aeroplane
• not more than 750 hours of recognised flight time as a pilot of a powered aircraft or a glider (other than a hang glider)
• not more than 200 hours flight time as a flight engineer or flight navigator (in accordance with 5.173(7) of CAR 1988 and the balance of flight time as described in the immediate two points above.

Air Transport Pilots may fly an aeroplane as pilot in command or co-pilot in any operation. An ATPL is required to command a large airline type aircraft. Note: The above requirements apply to aeroplane pilot licences. Similar requirements apply to helicopter pilot licences, commercial balloon licences, gyroplane and airship licences,

Radiotelephone Operator Licence/Certificate
Available in two forms - Flight Radiotelephone Operator Licence (for flight crew) and Aircraft Radiotelephone Operator Certificate of Proficiency (for ground crew). Applicants for either must pass an oral examination and practical test following training in radiotelephony procedures and use of the equipment; they must also be able to speak, read and understand the English Language. No minimum age applies.

Since 1 July 2004 all flight crew licences are issued by CASA on confirmation that the applicant has satisfied the criteria for the licence, supplied photographs as part of an identification process and completed a security check.

Turnaround time from receipt of the application by CASA and issue and despatch of the licence is between 5-10 days.

Medical Certificates
Although a medical certificate is not required for issue of a licence, it is required before you undertake a flight test or are permitted to use the licence. You must have regular medical examinations to keep your medical certificate current. Flight crew medical examinations are conducted by doctors approved by CASA. These doctors are known as Designated Aviation Medical Examiners or DAMEs. A list of DAMES can be found on the CASA website.

Alternatively, flying schools and CASA offices can assist you with the names and addresses of DAMEs in their area. The medical requirements are divided into Class 1, for commercial (except balloon), air transport and flight engineer licences, and Class 2, for all commercial balloon, private pilot and student licences. The variance is in the depth of examination. For instance, a Class 2 examination is primarily physical in nature whereas a Class 1 examination involves an ECG, an audiogram, a blood lipids test and a specialist eye examination in addition to the general physical. Medical exams, in both classes, usually become more exacting as you grow older. If you have any concerns as to whether you will or might satisfy the medical requirements, you can discuss your condition with a DAME or one of CASA's doctors. Call CASA's national telephone number 131 757 (toll free) and ask for the Aviation Medicine Section in Canberra. After obtaining a medical certificate, you must notify CASA if there is any variation to your medical condition.

Ratings and Aircraft Endorsements
Pilots may also qualify for aircraft endorsements and ratings. Endorsements can be either for a particular type of aircraft or for a class (ie. where a number of aircraft with similar handling capabilities are grouped for endorsement purposes). The four types of rating are:

Night (VFR) Rating
The rating allows a pilot to fly at night (including dusk) in visual meteorological conditions. Applicants must

• hold at least a private pilot licence
• have acquired the specified experience
• have passed a flight test

Instrument Rating
The rating allows a pilot to fly in cloud, day or night, in non-visual meteorological conditions. Applicants must

• hold at least a private pilot licence
• have passed a training course, a theory exam and flight test
• have acquired the experience specified

Agricultural Rating
The rating is used for crop spaying for pest control and fertiliser spreading.

Applicants must

• hold at least a commercial pilot licence
• have passed a training course, a theory exam and flight test
• have acquired the experience specified

Applicants must also obtain a chemical rating which is issued by the Department of Agriculture or Environment in the Australian State where he or she intends to operate.

Instructor Rating
The rating allows the pilot to train other pilots.

Applicants must

• hold at least a commercial pilot licence
• have passed a training course, a theory exam (as required) and flight test for the grade of rating sought
• have acquired the experience specified

Method of issue (all ratings and endorsements)
CASA has established a Log Book Endorsement System so that all ratings and endorsements can be issued by an industry delegate via an entry in the applicant's log book. This enables the applicant to use the qualification immediately. The delegate forwards the paperwork relating to the entry to CASA for inclusion in the pilot's flight crew licensing records. The entries in the log book are proof of any ratings or endorsements held.