1.1. Preparation required for non-commercial part-FCL licenses
Light Aircraft Pilot License - Aircraft (LAPL (A)) and Helicopters (LAPL (H))
An LAPL license is obtained by completing an LAPL course approved by the AACR, a course conducted within an ATO and is a minimum of:
(i) 30 flight hours for LAPL (A);
(ii) 40 flight hours for LAPL (H)
The privileges given by this license are to execute a private flight, without remuneration.
Private Pilot License - PPL (Airplane and Helicopter)
A PPL license is obtained by completing a PPL course approved by AACR within an ATO, comprising a minimum of 45 flight hours. The holder of a PPL license may perform private flight (unpaid or without commercial operation) unless he holds a valid FI (Flight Instructor) or valid FE (Flight Examiner) and may be paid for flight training or , as appropriate, performing a skill test.
The theoretical examination held at AACR in order to obtain PPL licenses can be carried out upon request and in English.
Preparation required for Part-FCL commercial licenses
To be hired as a pilot (other than a non-commercial licensing instructor) you must hold a commercial license, CPL, ATPL or MPL on a nearby aircraft category.
Types of courses that can be taken to obtain commercial licenses for airplanes and helicopters:
Commercial licenses for airplanes and helicopters can be obtained in two ways:
following an integrated course, or
(b) following a modular course.
Integrated course (Airplanes and helicopters)
The integrated course is a complete ground and in-flight training course led by an ATO authorized to conduct such courses. These comprehensive courses provide the fastest means of qualifying for commercial pilot licenses.
The allowed integrated courses are:
(I) aircraft:
(a) Integrated course for obtaining MPL
The purpose of the integrated MPL course is to train pilots to the level of competence necessary to enable them to operate as a co-pilot a multi-pilot turboprop aircraft with turboprop in VFR and IFR conditions in air transport. The course consists of a minimum of 240 hours of flight training and 750 hours of theoretical training. The course also includes training for the operation of multi-pilot aircraft.
(b) Integrated course for obtaining the ATPL
The purpose of the integrated ATP course is to train pilots to the level of competence necessary to enable them to operate as co-pilots on multi-engine multi-pilot airplanes in commercial air transport and to obtain CPL (A) / IR. The course consists of a minimum of 195 hours of flight training and 750 hours of theoretical training. The course also includes training for the operation of multi-pilot aircraft.
(c) Integrated Instrument Qualification (IR) CPL course
The purpose of the course is to train pilots to the level of competence required to operate single-pilot single-engine or multi-engine airplanes in commercial air transport and to obtain CPL (A) / IR. The course consists of a minimum of 180 hours of flight training and 500 hours of theoretical training.
(d) Integrated CPL course
The purpose of the course is to prepare pilots at the level of competence required to obtain a CPL (A), except for training for instrumental qualification. The course consists of a minimum of 150 hours of flight training and 350 hours of theoretical training.
(Ii) Helicopters:
(a) Integrated Instrument Qualification (IR) Integrated Course
The purpose of the course is to train pilots to the level of competence necessary to enable them to operate as co-pilots on multi-engine multi-pilot helicopters in commercial air transport and to obtain CPL (H) / IR. The course consists of a minimum of 195 hours of flight training and 750 hours of theoretical training. The course also includes training for multi-pilot helicopter operation and multi-crew cooperation.
(b) Integrated course for obtaining ATPL
The purpose of the course is to train pilots to the level of competence necessary to enable them to operate as a co-pilot on helicopters limited to VFR flight, multi-pilot multi-engine with privileges in commercial air transport and to obtain CPL (H). The course consists of a minimum of 150 hours of flight training and 650 hours of theoretical training. The course also includes training for multi-pilot helicopter operation and multi-crew cooperation.
(c) Integrated Instrument Qualification (IR) CPL course
The aim of the course is to train pilots at the level of competence required to operate single-engine multi-engine helicopters and to obtain CPL (H) / IR. The course consists of a minimum of 180 hours of flight training and 500 hours of theoretical training.
(d) Integrated CPL course
The purpose of the course is to prepare pilots to the level of competence required to obtain CPL (H). The course consists of a minimum of 135 hours of flight instruction and 350 hours of theoretical instruction or 200 hours if the applicant holds a PPL (H).
Modular course (Airplanes and helicopters)
Modular courses are designed for individuals who do not want to take an integrated training course, who want to train in stages, over a period of time, by completing training modules. Pilots opting for modular training must hold a valid private pilot's license for that category of aircraft.
The modular courses available can be:
(A) Aircraft:
(i) Modular course for obtaining CPL
The purpose of the CPL (A) course is to prepare PPL (A) holders at the level of competence required to obtain a CPL (A), but not in order to obtain the instrumental qualification or any other specialization. Before beginning a modular course an applicant for a CPL (A) must be the holder of a PPL (A), issued in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention. Before starting flight training, the applicant must have completed 150 hours of flight and complied with the requirements for the issuance of a class or type rating for multi-engine airplanes, if a multi-engine airplane will be used for the skill test. The course consists of a minimum of 25 hours of flight training (30 hours for applicants without night flight qualification (airplane)) and 250 hours of theoretical training. In-flight training may be reduced by 10 hours for holders of a valid Instrumental Qualification (IR). The applicant for a CPL (A) must have completed at least 200 flight hours.
(ii) Instrumental Qualification Course (IR)
The purpose of the modular IR (A) flight training course is to train pilots to the level of competence required to operate aircraft under IFR and BMI conditions. Holders of PPL (A) or CPL (A), issued in accordance with PART-FCL and having the privilege of night flight, may begin flight training at a modular IR course approved in accordance with PART-FCL. The course must include a minimum of 50 hours of instrument flight for Single Engine IR (A), or at least 55 hours of instrument flight for Multi-Engine IR (A) and at least 150 hours of theoretical instruction.
The holder of a CPL (A) or a Certificate of Completion of the Course for the basic instrument flight module, may have reduced the total value of the required training by 10 hours.
(iii) Modular course for ATPL
Applicants for an ATPL (A) following theoretical training in a modular course must hold at least a PPL (A) issued in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention and complete at least the following number of hours of theoretical training:
- for applicants holding a PPL (A): 650 hours;
- for applicants holding a CPL (A): 400 hours;
- for applicants holding an IR (A): 500 hours;
- for applicants holding a CPL (A) and an IR (A): 250 hours.
Theoretical training is performed before taking the skill test for ATPL (A).
(B) Helicopter:
(i) Modular course for obtaining CPL
The purpose of the CPL (H) modular course is to train PPL (H) holders at the level of competence required to issue a CPL (H), but not in order to obtain the instrumental qualification or any other specialization. Before beginning a modular CPL (H) course, an applicant must be the holder of a PPL (H), issued in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention.
Before starting the flight training the applicant must: have completed 155 hours of flight as a pilot in helicopters, including 50 hours as PIC of which 10 hours will be crossing; complied with FCL.725 and FCL.720.H; and a multi-engine helicopter will be used for the skill test.
The course consists of a minimum of 30 hours of flight training (35 hours for applicants, without a night flight qualification (helicopter)) and 250 hours of theoretical training. In-flight training may be reduced by 10 hours for holders of a valid Instrumental Qualification (IR). The applicant for a CPL (H) must have completed at least 185 flight hours.
(ii) Instrumental Qualification Course (IR)
The purpose of the IR (H) modular course is to train pilots to the level of competence required to operate helicopters under IFR and BMI conditions.
Holders of a PPL (H) or CPL (H), issued in accordance with PART-FCL and having the privilege of flying at night, may begin flight preparation for a modular IR course approved in accordance with PART-FCL. The course must include at least 50 hours of instrument flight for Single-Engine IR (H) or 55 hours of instrument flight for Multi-Engine IR (H) and at least 150 hours of theoretical instruction. For holders of CPL (H) or PPL (H) with night qualification, flight training may be reduced by 10 hours.
(iii) Modular course for ATPL
Applicants for an ATPL (H) following theoretical training in a modular course must hold at least a PPL (H) and complete at least the following number of hours of training within 18 months:
- for applicants holding a PPL (H) issued in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention: 550 hours;
- for applicants holding a CPL (H): 300 hours.
Applicants for an ATPL (H) / IR following theoretical training in a modular course must hold at least a PPL (H) and complete at least the following number of training hours:
- for applicants holding a PPL (H): 650 hours;
- for applicants holding a CPL (H): 400 hours;
- for applicants holding an IR (H): 500 hours;
for applicants holding a CPL (H) and an IR (H): 250 hours.