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Atype rating is an authorization entered on or associated with apilot license and forming part thereof, stating the pilot's privileges or limitations pertaining to certainaircraft type. Such qualification requires additional training beyond the scope of the initiallicense andaircraft class training.[1]
TheInternational Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) specifies the international personnel licensing requirements, as documented in Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.[2] Which aircraft require a type rating is decided by each country'scivil aviation authority, in accordance with specifications outlined by ICAO.
ICAO stipulates that:
In the United States, all turbojets require a type rating. Aircraft with a maximum take-off weight of more than 12,500 pounds (5,700 kg) typically require a type rating.[5] In many countries pilots of single-engine piston aircraft under a certain maximum weight (5,700 kg or 12,500 lb, typically) do not require a type rating for each model, all or most such aircraft being covered by oneclass rating instead. InNew Zealand there are no class ratings, each aircraft model requires its own rating.[6] Countries which have adopted the class rating system for small aircraft typically require additional training and license endorsement for complexity features such asconventional undercarriage (tailwheels),variable-pitch propellers,retractable undercarriage, etc.
Many commercial aircraft share type ratings, allowing qualified pilots to transition from one to another with differences training without the need to go through the full certification process. Examples include theBoeing 757 andBoeing 767,Boeing 777 andBoeing 787, the entire737NG family,Airbus A330 andAirbus A350 and all of the members of theA320 family (theA318,A319,A320, andA321).[7][8]
In order to remain compliant with ICAO Annex 1, theFederal Aviation Administration (FAA) in theUnited States requires co-pilots (second-in-command, or SIC) to have a 'SIC Type Rating' for aircraft requiring a crew of two, and otherwise requires a type rating to act as pilot-in-command (PIC) to fly internationally, or over international airspace. This is outlined inCode of Federal Regulations Title 14 §61.55 (14 CFR 61.55) and introduced in 2006. Such a type rating isnot required for operations completely within the United States.Aninstrument rating is required for some type ratings.
In the United States some type ratings can be issued with a "visual flight rules (VFR) only" limitation when the type rating checkride was conducted withoutinstrument flight rules (IFR) approaches or operations, but only VFR maneuvers and procedures. This is most typical in older aircraft (i.e. Ford Trimotor, N-B25, B17, etc.)
Canada follows US FAA and ICAO standards for fixed-wing type ratings. Unlike the US, Canada requires type ratings for allhelicopter types, regardless of MTOW.
European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) publishes its ICAO type rating compliance and further regulations in Part-FCL - Flight Crew Licensing, Subpart H.[9]
Although much of the training for a type rating can be carried out in a simulator, type ratings require some training in the relevant aircraft. However, a pilot with sufficient experience on one aircraft can undertake a type rating for a different aircraft as a "Zero Flight Time Training" (ZFTT) course.[10][11] This is carried out entirely in a simulator, saving fuel and money.
