What is a Type Rating and Why is it Important?

[Joli-toc]Achieving a Commercial Pilot’s License (CPL) is a significant step on a pilot’s career path but it doesn’t automatically enable a pilot to operate all types of aircraft. Type ratings come into play at this point.

A type rating is the qualification to operate a specific aircraft type or a defined group of aircraft. It is a key element in understanding the path that professional pilots take from basic flight training to operating an aircraft in the workplace.

What is a Type Rating?

A type rating is an additional qualification associated with a specific aircraft type. Training for a type rating covers the systems, performance and limitations, flying procedures and operating characteristics of the aircraft. This training is combined with practice and evaluation in a flight simulator and other training aids.

A type rating is required due to differences in aircraft systems and operations. It is not adequate for a pilot to learn the basics of flying to operate a complex aircraft. Learning the basics of flying is distinctly different from understanding the systems, procedures and performance of a large, complex and high-speed commercial aircraft. The type rating fills this aircraft-specific operating knowledge and training.

Why Is a Type Rating Aircraft-Specific?

However, some features of an aircraft, like cockpit design, engines and control systems, and procedures and systems, may be dissimilar between aircraft that have identical roles despite some similarities.

It is important for pilots that receive training on a specific type of aircraft to become familiar with these features of the aircraft. The training includes procedures and systems, performance and limitations, as well as cockpit procedures.

The type rating proves that the pilot is qualified to fly a particular type of aircraft. On the contrary, a CPL proves that the pilot is able to meet the requirements of commercial pilot license.

When is a Type Rating Required?

A type rating is required when a pilot wishes to fly an aircraft for which the pilot requires type qualification, as stipulated in the aviation regulations. This is usually applicable when a pilot wishes to fly larger, more complex aircraft.

The exact provisions of the aviation regulations and the pilot’s license stipulate what type of training is required. It is, therefore, prudent for students to find out what the requirements are, rather than make assumptions based on what they may have heard or read about.

This is something that students wishing to do commercial pilot training in India should understand early on. CPL training provides the basics of flying and the knowledge to be a commercial pilot. Other training helps with qualifying a person to be a specific type rated pilot to fly a specific make and model of an aircraft.

CPL Training and Type Rating

Many students wishing to pursue a career in aviation, and in particular, assume that pilots who have completed CPL training are fully qualified to pilot any aircraft. This is not the case.

CPL training gives a student the knowledge and experience to be a commercial pilot. They have to study aviation subjects, undertake flight training, and pass the examinations, medical checks and tests to obtain the license.

Type rating is training given later on in the career to qualify a pilot to be specific type rated to fly a specific make and model of an aircraft.

At 70 Knots Aviation, students learn about the careers in the aviation industry as well as the licensing and training in India. This helps students set realistic expectations about the training and licensing process.

How Does Type Rating Fit Into an Airline Career?

Pilots wishing to fly aircraft in the line of service of an airline have to train and qualify to fly commercially. This includes the training to obtain a CPL and other additional training to qualify the pilots to fly a specific make and model of an aircraft type.

Type rating training often forms part of the transition from general commercial pilot training to specific aircraft operations. Students should not view type rating training as an automatic employment or airline placement benefit. Recruitment, experience and selection criteria vary between airlines.

Generally, it can be stated that a pilot’s qualifications develop progressively. The CPL provides the foundation for commercial flying, while a type rating fulfils requirements for flying a specific aircraft.

Understanding Pilot Training Costs

While students plan their aviation education, they must understand costs are structured differently at various stages of their training. The cost of training for a CPL and the cost of type rating training for specific aircraft are not the same.

In India, Pilot training fees are generally structured to cover the first part of training which prepares a student for the basics of flying (i.e. CPL). It is essential for students to consider the qualification, cost and nature of subsequent training, examinations and type rating.

70Knots Aviation encourages students to take into account the complete training route as opposed to focusing on single qualifications. Knowing the training route will assist the students to have a better insight into their future and help them make decisions about their aviation training.

Student-Counsellor Discussion

Student: Can I fly all kinds of aircraft using my CPL?

Counsellor: No, CPL allows you to fly all kinds of aircraft, but not all.

Student: After I get my CPL, what is next?

Counsellor: It all depends on the career path that you are taking and the kind of aircraft you wish to fly. Other training might be necessary, such as type rating.

Student: So, the CPL and the type rating training are entirely different?

Counsellor: Yes, they are different. The CPL training is meant to give you commercial flying skills and knowledge, while the type rating is meant to understand how an aircraft works.

Student: Should I also think of the type rating training as I am training on CPL?

Counsellor: You can, but not necessarily at the same time. You can just research it to know the costs of your career path.

Questions Raised by Students on Type Ratings

1. Are type ratings equivalent to CPL?

By no means! The term CPL is an abbreviation of Commercial Pilot License, while type rating is a specialized training that allows flying specific aircraft.

2. Operating a specific aircraft is going to require a type rating?

That may not be true. There might be other licensing requirements that would suffice in such a case.

3. Can one acquire a type rating before obtaining a CPL?

Since the Type Rating is an addition to the Pilot Licence, it cannot be obtained separately from the Pilot Licence. In case of airliners like the A320 and B737, the DGCA generally insists that pilots have obtained a Commercial Pilot Licence with an Instrument Rating before the Type Rating can be issued.

4. Is type-rating training only flying the aircraft?

No, it is a large amount of training that goes along with flying the aircraft. Training can cover the aircraft systems and procedures, limitations, abnormal situations and simulator-based training, and assessments.

5. Will getting a type-rating guarantee an airline job?

No, getting a type-rating is not a guarantee of employment. Type-rating training is very expensive and not getting a job does not mean the type-rating training is a waste. Getting hired by an airline is dependent on other factors, including pilot experience and assessments.
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