Non-JAA Licence Conversion  
 

A professional pilot licence issued by a non-JAA State may be converted to a JAA licence provided that an arrangement exists between the JAA and the Non-JAA State. Until such arrangements exist, the following requirements have been agreed by the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA).

The following requirements assume that you wish to convert your ICAO licence into a JAA licence issued by the UK CAA. If you wish to have your JAA licence issued by another JAA state then the following requirements may need modification.

Requirements for the conversion of a Non-JAA ATPL (A) to JAA ATPL (A)

An applicant holding a current and valid ATPL (A) issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1 by a non-JAA State may be issued with a JAR ATPL (A) providing the applicant meets the following criteria:

  • Undertake ATPL (A) theoretical knowledge training and pass the ATPL (A) theoretical knowledge examinations
  • Hold a valid JAA Class 1 medical
  • Qualify for the issue of a Flight Radio Telephony Operators Licence (FRTOL)
  • Undertake a Multi-Pilot Aeroplane (MPA) type rating course at an approved Type Rating Training Organisation (TRTO)
  • Pass the ATPL (A) Skill Test with or observed by a CAA Flight Operations Inspector (FOI)

Exemptions:

Non JAA ATPL (A) holders who have a minimum of 1500 hours flying experience as PIC or Co-pilot on multi-pilot aeroplanes (or single-pilot aeroplanes operated by 2-pilots according to operational requirements) and hold a valid multi-pilot type rating for the aeroplane to be used for the ATPL (A) skill test and have at least 500 hours experience as pilot on that type, will be exempted from the requirements to complete an approved TRTO course or undergo approved training prior to undertaking the theoretical knowledge examinations and the skill test.The ATPL (A) Skill Test in this case will have a12 month validity for the purpose of licence issue. Pilots who meet the 1500 hours flying experience requirement (as detailed above) with:

(a) at least 500 hours flying experience on the multi pilot type to be used for the ATPL(A) skill test but no valid type rating on that type; or

(b) less than 500 hours flying experience on the multi pilot type to be used for the ATPL(A) skill test; or

(c) no multi pilot type rating on the type to be used for the ATPL(A) skill test will still be exempted from the requirement to undergo approved ground training prior to attempting the ATPL(A) theoretical knowledge examinations. They will, however, be required to complete an approved type course on the type to be used for the ATPL (A) skill test.
In the case of (a) and (b) above, the type rating course may be reduced in length to take into account previous experience gained on type upon a recommendation being submitted to Licensing by the Head of Training of the TRTO at which the training is being completed. In the case of (a) pilots will not be required to pass the type specific written examination, which forms part of the approved type rating course, if they have operational experience on the type within the preceding 5 years. An ATPL (A) Skill Test with, or observed by, a CAA Flight Operations Training Inspector will be required at the end of the course.The ATPL (A) Skill Test in this case will have a 6 month validity for the purpose of licence issue.

Applicants who do not meet the ATPL (A) experience requirements for grant of a JAA ATPL (A) can still apply for a JAA CPL (A) / IR see below.

Requirements for the conversion of a Non-JAA CPL (A) to JAA CPL (A)

An applicant holding a current and valid CPL (A) issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1 by a non-JAA State may be issued with a JAA CPL (A) providing the applicant meets the Licence Issue Requirements (see below) and completes the following criteria:

  • Undertake the full 650 hour ATPL (A) theoretical knowledge training course and pass the ATPL (A) theoretical knowledge examinations

or

  • Undertake CPL (A) theoretical knowledge training and pass the CPL (A) theoretical knowledge examinations

and

  • Hold a valid JAA Class 1 medical
  • Qualify for the issue of a Flight Radio Telephony Operators Licence (FRTOL)
  • Undertake CPL (A) flying training as required (including 5 hours on a complex aeroplane type if not already achieved) at an approved Flying Training Organisation (FTO) to obtain a 170A
  • Pass the CPL (A) Skill Test with a CAA Flight Examiner (FE)

Licence Issue Requirements

An applicant for a JAA CPL (A) must have completed:

(a) 200 hours of flight time (PIC or Dual)

(b) 100 hours as PIC

(c) 20 hours of VFR cross-country flight time as PIC including a cross-country flight totalling at least 540 km (300 nm) in the course of which full-stop landings at two aerodromes different from the aerodromes of departure shall be made

(d) 10 hours of instrument dual instruction time of which not more than 5 hours is to be in an FNPT I / II or Flight Simulator

(c) 5 hours night flying comprising at least 3 hours dual instruction including 1 hour cross-country navigation and 5 solo tak-offs and landings

Requirements for the conversion of a Non-JAA IR (A) to a JAA IR (A)

An applicant holding a current and valid IR (A) issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1 by a non-JAA State may be issued with a JAA IR (A) providing the applicant meets the following criteria:

  • Undertake IR (A) theoretical knowledge training and pass the IR (A) theoretical knowledge examinations
  • Complete a minimum of 15 hours instrument flying instruction of which 5 hours may be in a Flight Navigation Procedures Trainer (FNPT) I or 10 hours in a FNPT II or flight simulator
  • Pass the 170A flight test
  • Pass the the IR (A) Skill Test with a CAA FE

Note: Non-JAA CPL/ IR holders converting to JAA CPL/IR must complete both CPL and IR requirements except that if the applicant completes the ATPL theoretical knowledge training and ATPL exams the requirement to complete the IR theoretical knowledge training and exams is not required.

Requirements for the conversion of a Non-JAA ATPL (A) to a JAA CPL (A) / IR (applicant does not meet ATPL (A) experience requirements)

The holder of a Non-JAA ATPL (A) who does not meet the experience requirements for the grant of a JAA ATPL (A) can still apply for a CPL (A) / IR provided they meet the following criteria:

  • Undertake the full 650 hour ATPL (A) theoretical knowledge training course and pass the ATPL (A) theoretical knowledge examinations

or

  • Undertake CPL (A) and IR (A) theoretical knowledge training and pass the CPL (A) and IR (A) theoretical knowledge examinations

and

  • Hold a valid JAA Class 1 medical
  • Qualify for the issue of a Flight Radio Telephony Operators Licence (FRTOL)
  • Undertake a modular CPL (A) flying training course (including 5 hours on a complex aeroplane type if not already achieved) at an approved Flying Training Organisation (FTO) and obtain a 170A
  • Pass the CPL (A) Skill Test with a Flight Examiner (FE)
  • Complete a minimum of 15 hours instrument flying instruction of which 5 hours may be in a FNPT I or 10 hours in a FNPT II or flight simulator
  • Pass the 170A flight test
  • Pass the the IR (A) Skill Test with a FE

Requirements for the conversion of a Non-JAA PPL (A) to a JAA PPL (A)

An applicant holding a current and valid PPL (A) issued in accordance with ICAO Annex 1 by a Non-JAA State may be issued with a JAA PPL (A) providing the applicant meets the following criteria:

  • Hold at least a JAA Class 2 medical certificate
  • Pass the JAA Air Law examination
  • Pass the JAA Human Performance and Limitations examination
  • Have completed a minimum of 100 hours flight time as pilot of aeroplanes
  • Pass the JAA PPL (A) Skill Test

If the applicant has flown less than 100 hours flight time as pilot of aeroplanes:

  • Pass all JAA PPL (A) theoretical knowledge examinations
  • Hold at least a JAA Class 2 medical certificate
  • Pass the JAA PPL (A) Skill Test
  • Will be credited the flying training if they meet the JAA PPL (A) flying experience requirements (see below)
    • 25 hours dual instruction in aeroplanes
    • 10 hours supervised solo including:
      • 5 hours cross country
      • 1 cross country of at least 270 km during which landings at 2 different aerodromes was made
    • 45 hours flight time as a pilot of aeroplanes

If no valid aeroplane rating has been held in the 5 years preceding application then all JAA PPL (A) theoretical knowledge examinations would need to be passed. If no valid aeroplane rating has been held for a period exceeding 5 years preceding application then an assessment of your flying experience will be necessary for which a fee will be charged.

Requirements for the conversion of a Non-JAA Instructor Rating to a JAA Instructor Rating

  • Hold a JAA licence which is current and valid in all respects
  • Hold at least a JAA Class 1 medical certificate
  • Passed at least the JAA CPL (A) theoretical knowledge examinations
  • Non-JAA Instructors Rating is current and valid in all respects

Normally the applicant will be assessed by the UK CAA, however we have found that the average requirements are:

  • Complete 15 hours flight training at an FTO approved for Flight Instructor (FI) courses
  • Enough groundschool to pass the theoretical part of the Instructor Skill Test
  • Pass an Instructor Skill Test

Useful Information

Groundschool - For professional ground training at ATPL / CPL level we recommend the following FTO's
Flying Training - For CPL flight training on SE / ME aeroplanes we recommend the following FTO's

Instrument Rating (IR) - For IR training on SE / ME aeroplanes we recommend the following FTO's

Flight Radiotelephony Operators Licence (FRTOL) - For radio training we recommend the following FTO's

**These FTO's are also VHF / HF Radiotelephony Test Centres

UK Civil Aviation Authority (UK CAA) www.caa.co.uk
UK CAA Medical - medicalweb@srg.caa.co.uk
UK CAA Personnel Licensing Department - fclweb@srg.caa.co.uk