Personnel Licensing

What stands between you and a pilot licence?

Gates and licences

Three gates (education, English, medical), then the licence ladder. Tap a box with + to open it.

• Personnel licensing granted by the Central Government Licences and ratings are granted, renewed or varied by the Central Government, which may withhold them if it considers it desirable. ICAO Annex 1 sets the international standards.
  • Education Class 10 or 10+2 You need at least a Class 10 pass for student and private licences, and Class 12 with Physics and Maths for commercial and airline licences.
    • Class 10 SPL, PPL, glider, microlight Also balloon licences. Pass from a recognised Board or equivalent.
    • Class 10+2, Physics and Maths CPL, ATPL, navigator, engineer CPL and ATPL (aeroplanes and helicopters), navigator and flight engineer licences need a Class Ten plus Two pass with Physics and Mathematics.
  • English ICAO levels 1 to 6 Applicants for PPL, CPL, ATPL and other listed licences must speak and understand the English used in radiotelephony to the level specified by the Director General.
    • Levels 4, 5, 6 acceptable Level 4 re-checked every 3 years, level 5 every 6 years, level 6 never.
    • Levels 1 to 3 not acceptable Levels 3 (pre-operational), 2 (elementary) and 1 (pre-elementary) are not acceptable; further training is required.
  • Medical Class 1, 2, 3 Every licence comes with a medical class. Class 1 lasts a year until 60, then six months at a time. Class 2 lasts two years until 50, then one year.
    • Class 1 CPL, ATPL, PPL with IR Required for CPL and ATPL, and for a PPL needing instrument rating privileges. Valid one year up to 60, six-monthly after; six months above 40 for single crew operations.
    • Class 2 PPL, SPL, microlight Needed for the PPL, microlight and student pilot licences. Lasts 2 years until you turn 50, then 1 year at a time.
    • Class 3 air traffic controllers Required for student ATCO and ATCO licences. Valid 4 years up to 40, 2 years from 40 to 50, and one year above 50.
  • Licences the ladder The pilot licence ladder: SPL from 16, PPL from 17, CPL from 18 and ATPL from 21, each one needing more flying. Every licence lasts 10 years.
    • SPL student; 12 months, 24 at most Issued by a Flying Club or Government Flying Training School. Within India, VFR, no passengers, no hire or reward.
    • PPL-A 40 h; no hire or reward Lets the holder act, not for remuneration, as PIC or co-pilot of aeroplanes in the rating and carry passengers. Needs at least 40 hours, including 20 hours solo.
      • Night rating 50 h PIC, 5 h night Needs 5 take-offs and 5 landings by night in the preceding 6 months.
    • CPL-A 200 h; PIC up to 5,700 kg Co-pilot of any aeroplane in the rating. IFR needs a current IR.
    • ATPL-A 1,500 h; PIC over 5,700 kg Needs a CPL, a current multi-engine IR and an FRTO licence.
    • Instrument Rating valid 12 months Renew within 2 months before expiry and the new validity runs from the expiry date.

Takeaway: Pass education, English and medical, then climb: SPL, PPL, CPL, ATPL, with the Instrument Rating added on.

What does each licence need to start?

Licence ladder

Read down: each step needs you older, better educated and more experienced.

Memory hook: Ages 16, 17, 18, 21: three steps of one year, then a jump of three.

Takeaway: SPL 16; PPL 17, 40 h; CPL 18, 200 h, 10+2; ATPL 21, 1,500 h. Commercial licences need a Class 1 medical.

What makes a licence valid or invalid?

Valid or not?

Who grants it, how long it lasts, and what stops you using it. Tap + to open each.

This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans

How long does my medical last?

Medicals

Each bar shows the validity of one medical class. It shortens at the dashed age lines.

This lesson is part of the Core plan. See plans

At what ages do the doors open and close?

Age line

Minimum ages on the left, the commercial cut-offs at 60 and 65 on the right.

This lesson is part of the Core plan. See plans

Can this pilot still fly commercial air transport?

Age check

Read each case and press the stamp that applies.

This lesson is part of the Core plan. See plans

What do SPL and PPL require?

SPL and PPL

Same rows for every licence. Read across to compare.

This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans

How far back, how many hours, how old?

Licence numbers

Three views: look-back windows, flight hours and minimum ages.

This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans

What does a CPL require, with and without IR?

CPL and CPL with IR

Same rows as before. The IR column adds instrument time and a test.

This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans

Can you fly this type?

Can I fly this type?

Start with your licence's aircraft rating. Answer in order.

This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans

How does co-pilot time count towards an ATPL?

ATPL credits

Percentage of the hours flown that the ATPL counts. Tap a bar.

This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans

What do the ATPL and Instrument Rating require?

ATPL and IR

Same rows again, for the top licence and the rating.

This lesson is part of the Exam-Ready plan. See plans

How does an ATPL holder command a big aeroplane?

ATPL command

Four steps to PIC of an aeroplane over 5,700 kg.

This lesson is part of the Core plan. See plans

Numbers to know

Numbers

The thresholds examiners like, in one list.

This lesson is part of the Core plan. See plans

Pairs that catch students out

Don't mix up

Look-alike rules, side by side.

This lesson is part of the Core plan. See plans

Test yourself

Ten questions from this chapter.

This lesson is part of the Core plan. See plans