Licensing & medical

010 Air LawChapter 7

Licence types

Licence	Privileges
PPL(A)	Non-commercial, may carry pax
CPL(A)	Commercial operations (with type/rating)
ATPL(A)	Commander on multi-pilot aircraft; CPL privileges
IR(A)	IFR flight in IMC

Key fact

ATPL(A) minimum age 21. CPL(A) minimum age 18. PPL(A) minimum age 17. IR minimum age 18.

ATPL theoretical knowledge

Key fact

ATPL(A) — 14 exams (EASA). Pass mark typically 75%. Valid 18 months from last exam pass. Skill test within 36 months of IR issue (where applicable).

Flight experience (typical EASA figures)

Requirement	Hours
ATPL(A) total	1500
ATPL(A) PIC (multi-pilot)	250 (max 150 in SPIC)
ATPL(A) cross-country PIC	200
ATPL(A) night PIC	100
ATPL(A) instrument	75 (max 30 in simulator)
ATPL(A) multi-engine	50
CPL(A) total	250
IR(A) total	50 cross-country PIC

Key fact

Recent experience — 3 take-offs and landings in 90 days (by day; 3 by night for night passenger carrying). IFR currency — 6 approaches in 6 months (or simulator/training).

Medical certificates

Class	Validity (under 40)	Validity (40–49)	Validity (50+)
Class 1 (ATPL/CPL/commercial)	12 months	6 months (single-pilot)	6 months
Class 2 (PPL)	60 months	24 months	12 months
Class 3 (ATCO)	Per regulation

Key fact

Class 1 — required for commercial and multi-pilot operations. Class 2 — sufficient for PPL non-commercial. LAPL — LAPL medical.

Exam trap

Medical validity depends on age and licence type, not just licence alone. A 50+ ATPL holder needs Class 1 renewal every 6 months for commercial ops.

Privileges and limitations

Key fact

PIC must hold valid licence, medical, type rating (if required), and language proficiency (ICAO Level 4 minimum, 6 maximum; Level 4 renewed every 4 years).

Key fact

Instrument rating — privileges lapse if IR revalidation not completed within 7 months after expiry (EASA — check current Part-FCL for exact grace period in exam).

Type ratings

Key fact

Type rating required for aircraft >5700 kg MTOM or >19 seats, and all multi-pilot aircraft. Validity — 1 year; revalidation requires 3 take-offs/landings in type within 90 days before expiry, or training + check.