Commercial Helicopter 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
- Website
- https://www.caa.co.uk
- Phone number
- +44 (0)1293 567711
Regulation
Regulation summary
Helicopter pilots fly single- and multi-engined helicopters for business, leisure or emergency services.
Regulation:
The following licence types:
ATPL(H) - Airline transport licence for helicopters
CPL (H) - Commercial pilot licence - helicopters
CPL H / IR - Commercial pilot licence with instrument rating - helicopters
The minimum age to get a CPL is 18 and you will need to hold a Part MED Class 1 Medical Certificate.
If you hold a CPL you can, on the appropriate aircraft category:
• exercise all the privileges of the holder of a LAPL and a PPL.
• act as pilot in command (PIC) or co-pilot of any helicopter engaged in operations other than commercial air transport
• act as PIC in commercial air transport of any single-pilot helicopter.
• act as co-pilot in commercial air transport subject to some restrictions.
An applicant for the issue of a CPL shall have fulfilled the requirements for the class or type rating of the aircraft used in the skill test.
Requirements
Training requirements differ depending on the aircraft category and training route you take.
At the end of training, and when all requirements for licence issue have been met, you will need to take a skill test with an examiner.
An applicant for a CPL shall pass a skill test in accordance with Appendix 4 to this Part to demonstrate the ability to perform, as PIC of the appropriate aircraft category, the relevant procedures and manoeuvres with the competency appropriate to the privileges granted. For the issue of a rating the applicant shall apply not later than 6 months after having succeeded at the skill test.
Please refer to Standards Documents 1A, 3, 7 and Appendices 4 and 7 of Part FCL for more details - https://www.caa.co.uk/general-aviation/pilot-licences/part-fcl-requirements/
Regulation type
Reserved activities
N/A
Protected titles
N/A
- More about regulated activities and titles
- https://www.caa.co.uk/commercial-industry/pilot-licences/helicopters/professional-pilot-licences-for-helicopters/
Qualifications and experience
New professionals
- Routes to qualification
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Complete a training course at an Approved Training Organisation. Hold a UK Class 1 medical. Complete theoretical examinations and undertaking flight training. Pass a skills test.
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 UK Regulation (EU) 2020/723
- More about recognition for professionals outside the UK
- https://www.caa.co.uk/uk-regulations/aviation-safety/basic-regulation-the-implementing-rules-and-uk-caa-amc-gm-cs/aircrew/
Registration
- Registration requirements
-
Information available at link below
Legislation
- Title of relevant act or charter
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UK Regulation (EU) no. 1178/2011 UK Aircrew Regulation - https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/regulations/commission-regulation-eu-no-11782011
- Website link to legislation
- https://www.easa.europa.eu/en/document-library/regulations/commission-regulation-eu-no-11782011
- Title of relevant act or charter
-
N/A