Aerobatic Pilot

Regulators
  • Civil Aviation Authority
Nations
United Kingdom
Sectors
  • Transport

Regulatory or professional bodies

Primary regulator

Regulatory authority
Civil Aviation Authority
Address

Civil Aviation Authority
Aviation House
South Area
Gatwick Airport RH6

Email address
infoservices@caa.co.uk
Phone number
+44 (0)1293 567711

Regulation

Regulation summary

Aerobatics, whether in a glider or a powered aircraft allow pilots to participate in sporting aviation.

Aerobatic pilot with appropriate licence ratings to fly aeroplanes, TMG or SPL. This privilege allows you to make aerobatic flights provided that you have a current and valid UK CAA issued Pilots Licence for aeroplanes, Touring Motor Gliders (TMG) or sailplanes.
Who can apply:
• Holders of a UK National or UK issued JAR-FCL pilot’s licences who exercised aerobatic privileges using these licences. Conversion of these privileges usually applies at the time of licence conversion.
• If you wish to apply on the basis of exercising aerobatic privileges on a non UK licence, issued by another EASA member state you will have to meet the conversion requirements for that State.
Please note: If you hold an existing UK issued Flight Crew licence which has not already been converted to a Part-FCL licence, then the conversion process will take place when you apply for the aerobatic rating.
Please check our information on licence conversions for details of the application form and supporting information that we require.

• The UK CAA will accept a letter from that competent authority confirming that if the pilot applied to them they would issue an aerobatic rating. This would not form part of the conversion of privileges exercised on a UK National/JAR-FCL licence.

Regulation type

Licence

Reserved activities

N/A

Protected titles

Pilot must have a valid UK CAA issued Pilots Licence for aeroplanes, Touring Motor Gliders (TMG) or sailplanes.


Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

Complete a training course at an Approved Training Organisation. Hold a UK Medical.

This privilege allows you to make aerobatic flights provided that you have a current and valid UK CAA issued Pilots Licence for aeroplanes, Touring Motor Gliders (TMG) or sailplanes.
Who can apply
Holders of a UK National or UK issued JAR-FCL pilot’s licences who exercised aerobatic privileges using these licences. Conversion of these privileges usually applies at the time of licence conversion.
If you wish to apply on the basis of exercising aerobatic privileges on a non UK licence, issued by another EASA member state you will have to meet the conversion requirements for that State.
The UK CAA will accept a letter from that competent authority confirming that if the pilot applied to them they would issue an aerobatic rating. This would not form part of the conversion of privileges exercised on a UK National/JAR-FCL licence.
Please note: If you hold an existing UK issued Flight Crew licence which has not already been converted to a Part-FCL licence, then the conversion process will take place when you apply for the aerobatic rating.
Pre-Requisites
There are many different conversion routes available as detailed in the conversion requirement are detailed in CAP804, Section 4, part P - https://publicapps.caa.co.uk/modalapplication.aspx?appid=11&mode=detail&id=6412

Licence fees and costs: https://www.caa.co.uk/general-aviation/pilot-licences/applications/process/licence-fees-and-costs/

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
All - there are routes to recognition for professionals from all countries
Summary of routes

The process of conversion of flight crew ratings are stated within the UK Regulation (EU) 2020/723

More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/pilot-licences/non-uk-licences

Registration

Registration requirements

Holding a UK licence registers the individual with the CAA

Link to fees - https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/pilot-licences/applications/process/licence-fees-and-costs/


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

UK Regulation (EU) no. 1178/2011

Title of relevant act or charter

N/A

Licence Finder

You may need licences and permits to carry out certain activities in the UK. These are called authorisations. Use the licence finder to find what you need.