On-Track Aviation

UK Armed Forces (UKAF) Instructor Conversion to Part FCL FI(A) / CRI

General

Article 10 of the Aircrew Regulation allows the UK CAA to establish credits for pilot licences, ratings and certificates obtained during service in the UK Armed Forces (UKAF)

This process is termed the Military Aircrew Accreditation Scheme (MAAS)

Qualified Military Pilot (Aeroplane) (QMP(A)) who have been awarded an instructor category (or who have been assessed as Competent to Instruct (C to I)), as a Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI), Qualified Pilot Instructor (QPI) or Flight Instructor (FI) on aeroplanes are termed QFIs in accordance with CAP 2254 and are able to claim credits towards a Part FCL FI(A) or CRI

For further information on the MAAS refer to CAP 2254 or email 22Gp-DFT-MAAS@mod.gov.uk

Who can get credits for an FI(A) certificate?

UKAF QMP(A)s who:

hold a Part FCL licence (except a LAPL(A))
have been awarded an instructor category as a QFI qualified to teach in single pilot aeroplanes

What qualifications/experience do I need for an FI(A) certificate?

UKAF QFIs shall meet all the requirements for the addition of a FI(A) certificate to a Part FCL licence for aeroplanes

Reference: UK Aircrew Regulation, Annex 1, Part FCL, Subpart J, Flight Instructor (FI) Aeroplanes

An applicant for a restricted FI(A) certificate shall:
(a) have received at least 10 hours of instrument flight instruction on the appropriate aircraft category, of which not more than 5 hours may be instrument ground time in an FSTD

(b) have completed 20 hours of VFR cross-country flight on the appropriate aircraft category as PIC

met the requirements for CPL(A) theoretical knowledge, except for an FI(A) providing training for the LAPL / NPPL only
completed at least 200 hours of flight time on aeroplanes or TMGs, of which 150 hours as PIC

(d) have completed at least 30 hours on single-engine piston powered aeroplanes of which at least 5 hours shall have been completed during the 6 months preceding the pre-entry flight test set out in FCL.930.FI(a) (see note 2)

(e) have completed a VFR cross-country flight as PIC, including a flight of at least 540 km (300 NM) in the course of which full stop landings at 2 different aerodromes shall be made

(f) have passed a specific pre-entry flight test with an FIC instructor within the 6 months preceding the start of the course, to assess their ability to undertake the course. This pre-entry flight test shall be based on the proficiency check for class and type ratings as set out in Appendix 9 to Part FCL

(g) completed training at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) (see Course of Training/Testing for FI(A) certificate)

(h) on successful completion of the training a recommendation will be made for the applicant to complete the assessment of competence. This must be carried out within 6 months of the completion of the training. Failure to do so will result in the need for extra training. The assessment of competence will be conducted by an FIE (see Course of Training/Testing for FI(A) certificate)

Notes:
1. The prerequisite requirements are (a) to (e) above
2. QMPs qualified on the Prefect T1 need to ensure they have flown the 30-hour requirement in Single Engine Piston aeroplanes

What credits are available towards an FI(A) certificate?

CPL(A) theoretical knowledge credit
UKAF QFIs are credited the requirement to complete a theoretical knowledge instruction course as set out in FCL.315 and Appendix 3 prior to attempting the theoretical knowledge examinations for the CPL(A)

Teaching and learning credit
UKAF QFIs are credited with the 25 hours teaching and learning training course requirement, as set out in FCL.930 of the relevant instructor certificate, toward the issue of any Part FCL instructor certificate

FI(A) course credits
See Course of Training/Testing

Course of Training/Testing for FI(A) certificate

QFIs who are compliant with the prerequisite requirements for the application for a restricted FI(A) certificate are required to complete training at the discretion of the Head of Training at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) who conduct FI(A) courses

QFI applicants must pass an assessment of competence for the issue of a restricted FI(A) certificate on a class of single pilot single-engine aeroplane for which the QFI holds a valid class rating in their Part FCL licence

QFI applicants who provide evidence that the experience requirements of FCL.910.FI(c) have been met previously using the instructor privileges on their military qualifications may have the Part FCL instructor certificate issued without the privileges restricted (see note)

Addition of Night / Aerobatic instructional privileges
QFI applicants for a FI(A) certificate who hold a night or aerobatic rating on their Part FCL licence may have the respective instructor privilege added to their flight instructor certificate by:

demonstrating the ability to instruct for that rating during the assessment of competence or
if not able to satisfy the above requirement at issue of the FI certificate, meet the relevant requirements of FCL.905.FI(f)

QMPs qualified on the Prefect T1
QMPs qualified on the Prefect T1 need to ensure they have flown the 30-hour requirement of FCL.915.FI (b)(3) in Single Engine Piston aeroplanes. The requirement for at least 5 hours to have been completed during the 6 months preceding the pre-entry flight test set out in FCL.930.FI(a) is still required

QFI applicants who provide evidence that the experience requirements of FCL.910.FI(c) have been met previously in single pilot SET and/or SEP aeroplanes using the instructor privileges on their military qualifications may have the Part FCL instructor certificate issued without the privileges restricted (see note)

Note: You should approach the FTS / UAS at which you instructoed and get a letter, on headed paper, from the OC stating that you had supervised at least 25 solo student flights. If the FTS / UAS has closed then locate a colleague with a higher rank or ex OC who served with you on the FTS / UAS and ask them to write the letter. Your military logbook instructional hours can be used and should be certified as correct [A monthly or a Section 6 summary should suffice]

Who can get credits for an CRI certificate?

UKAF QMP(A)s who:

hold a Part FCL licence (except a LAPL(A))
have been awarded an instructor category (or have been assessed as Competent to Instruct) as a QFI on single pilot aeroplanes
meet the requirements of FCL.915.CRI for single-engine aeroplanes

What qualifications/experience do I need for a CRI certificate?

QFIs shall meet all the requirements for the addition of a Part FCL CRI certificate to a Part FCL licence for aeroplanes

Reference: UK Aircrew Regulation, Annex 1, Part FCL, Subpart J, Class Rating Instructor (CRI) certificate

An applicant for a CRI certificate for single-engine aeroplanes shall:
(a) hold at least a Part FCL PPL(A)

(b) hold a single-engine class or type rating e.g. SEP (Land)

(d) have 30 hours as PIC on the applicable class or type of aeroplane

(e) complete training at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) (see Course of Training/Testing for CRI certificate)

(f) on successful completion of the training a recommendation will be made for the applicant to complete the assessment of competence. This must be carried out within 6 months of the completion of the training. Failure to do so will result in the need for extra training. The assessment of competence will be conducted by an FIE (see Course of Training/Testing for CRI certificate)

What credits are available towards an CRI certificate?

Teaching and Learning Credits
QFIs are credited with the 25-hour teaching and learning training course requirement, as set out in FCL.930.CRI(a)(1) toward the issue of CRI

Flying course credits
No credits available

Course of Training/Testing for CRI certificate

QFIs who are compliant with the prerequisite requirements for the application for a CRI certificate are required to complete training at the discretion of the Head of Training at an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) who conduct CRI courses

QFI applicants must pass an assessment of competence for the issue of a CRI certificate on a class or type of single pilot single-engine aeroplane for which the QFI holds a valid rating in their Part FCL licence

Addition of Aerobatics privileges
QFI applicants for a CRI certificate who hold an aerobatic rating on their Part FCL licence may have the respective instructor privilege added to their CRI certificate by

demonstrating the ability to instruct for that rating during the assessment of competence or
if not able to satisfy the above requirement at issue of the CRI certificate, meet the requirements of FCL.905.CRI(a)(2)

Regulations

FCL.060 Recent experience

(b) Aeroplanes, helicopters, powered-lift aircraft and airships. A pilot shall not operate an aircraft in commercial air transport or to carry passengers:

(2) as PIC at night unless he/she:

(i) has carried out in the preceding 90 days at least 1 take-off, approach and landing at night as a pilot flying in an aircraft of the same type or class or an FFS representing that type or class or

(ii) holds an IR

FCL.905.FI FI - Privileges and conditions

The privileges of FIs are to conduct flight instruction for the issue, revalidation or renewal of:

(f) the night rating, provided that FIs meet all of the following conditions:

(1)  are qualified to fly at night in the appropriate aircraft category

(2)  have demonstrated the ability to instruct at night to an FI qualified in accordance with FCL.905.FI(j)(see note)

(3)  comply with the night experience requirement laid down in point FCL.060(b)(2)

Note: FCL.905.FI(j) is an FI who teaches instructor courses [equivilent to a CFS 'water front' QFI]

FCL.910.FI FI - Restricted privileges

(a) An FI shall have his or her privileges limited to conducting flight instruction under the supervision of an FI for the same category of aircraft nominated by the DTO or the ATO for this purpose, in the following cases:

(1)  for the issue of the PPL and LAPL

(2)  in all integrated courses at PPL level, in case of aeroplanes and helicopters

(3)  for class and type ratings for single-pilot, single-engine aircraft, except for single-pilot high-performance complex aeroplanes

(4)  for the night, towing or aerobatic ratings

(b) While conducting training under supervision, in accordance with (a), the FI shall not have the privilege to authorise student pilots to conduct first solo flights and first solo cross-country flights

(1) for the FI(A), 100 hours of flight instruction in aeroplanes or TMGs and, in addition has supervised at least 25 student solo flights

FCL.915.FI FI - Prerequisites

An applicant for an FI certificate shall:

(b) additionally, for the FI(A):

(3) have completed at least 30 hours on single-engine piston powered aeroplanes of which at least 5 hours shall have been completed during the 6 months preceding the pre-entry flight test set out in FCL.930.FI(a)

FCL.905.CRI CRI - Privileges and conditions

(a) The privileges of a CRI are to instruct for:

(2) a towing or aerobatic rating for the aeroplane category, provided the CRI holds the relevant rating and has demonstrated the ability to instruct for that rating to an FI qualified in accordance with FCL.905.FI(j)(see note)

Note: FCL.905.FI(j) is an FI who teaches instructor courses [equivilent to a CFS 'water front' QFI]

FCL.915.CRI CRI - Prerequisites

An applicant for a CRI certificate shall have completed at least:

(b) for single-engine aeroplanes:

(1) 300 hours flight time as a pilot on aeroplanes

(2) 30 hours as PIC on the applicable class or type of aeroplane

FCL.930.CRI CRI - Training course

(a) The training course for the CRI shall include, at least:

(2) 10 hours of technical training, including revision of technical knowledge, the preparation of lesson plans and the development of classroom/simulator instructional skills

(3) .... at least 3 hours of flight instruction on single-engine aeroplanes, given by an FI(A) qualified in accordance with point FCL.905.FI(j)(see note)

Note: FCL.905.FI(j) is an FI who teaches instructor courses [equivilent to a CFS 'water front' QFI]

What UK CAA forms do I need to apply for these credits?

All UK CAA documents and forms are available to download and print from the web site www.caa.co.uk

To gain the credits complete form SRG 2133

References

CAP 2254: Military Aircrew Accreditation Scheme
SRG 2133 - Confirmation of Military Experience for Military Aircrew Accreditation Scheme (MAAS) Credits in Accordance with Article 10 of Assimilated Regulation (EU) No. 1178/2011