{{Primary sources|date=February 2022}} Aviation in the [[European Union]] and the [[European Free Trade Association]] is regulated by the [[European Union Aviation Safety Agency]] (EASA). EASA specifies common standards for the licensing of [[aircraft pilot]]s. EASA does not issue licences, rather licences are issued by member states.<ref name="GA">{{cite web |title=Licensing for General Aviation |url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/domains/general-aviation/licensing-general-aviation |website=EASA |access-date=23 February 2022 |language=en}}</ref> However, because the same standards are used, EASA licences are recognised by all member states.
Flight Crew Licensing is regulated by the document EU Part-FCL.<ref name="Part-FCL">{{cite web |title=EASA Part-FCL |url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/Part-FCL.pdf |access-date=11 May 2023 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230126105038/https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/Part-FCL.pdf |archive-date=26 January 2023}}</ref>
==Licences==
The most basic licence is the [[Light Aircraft Pilot Licence]] (LAPL). Separate licences are issued for aeroplanes, helicopters, sailplanes and balloons.<ref name="GA"/> This is not a standard [[ICAO]] licence.
[[Private Pilot Licence]]s are issued for aeroplanes (PPL(A)) and helicopters (PPL(H)). The SPL is issued for sailplanes (gliders) and the BPL for balloons.<ref name="GA"/>
A [[Commercial Pilot Licence]] (CPL) allows a pilot to fly for remuneration, and to fly in commercial air transport operations as co-pilot, or pilot-in-command of single-pilot aircraft.
An [[Airline Transport Pilot Licence]] (ATPL) allows a pilot to fly as pilot-in-command of multi-pilot aircraft in [[airline|commercial air transport]] operations. It requires fourteen theoretical exams with a mandatory ground-school course.
EASA also issues the [[Multi-crew pilot licence|Multi-crew Pilot Licence]] (MPL). This allows a pilot to fly as co-pilot in a multi-crew aircraft. It can be upgraded to a CPL or ATPL with further training.
==Ratings==
A [[type rating]] or [[class rating]] is necessary to fly a particular type or class of aircraft.
===Instrument rating===
An [[Instrument Rating]] permits a pilot to fly in [[Instrument Meteorological Conditions]] (IMC). The competency-based instrument rating is obtained with a reduced training course, but it cannot be used on high-performance aircraft. The en-route instrument rating permits the pilot to fly in IMC only during the en-route phase of the flight, not during take-off or landing.<ref name="GA"/>
An EASA instrument rating can only be issued after acclimatisation flying in EU airspace and a skill test in EU airspace.<ref name="Part ORA.ATO.150">{{cite web |title=Part ORA.ATO.150 |url=https://www.easa.europa.eu/sites/default/files/dfu/Part-ORA.pdf |publisher=EASA |access-date=15 March 2022}}</ref>
===Night rating===
A Night Rating permits a pilot to fly at night.<ref name="GA"/>
==Certificates==
A [[multi-crew cooperation]] (MCC) certificate and an [[UPRT|advanced upset prevention and recovery training]] (UPRT) certificate are required to start a multi-crew type rating. An MCC certificate is also required for the issuance of an ATPL.
==Conversion== It is possible to convert air crew licences issued by other ICAO member states ("third countries") to an EASA licence. The applicant must have a valid third country licence and valid medical certificate. They must also hold a valid EASA medical certificate. They must pass all fourteen EASA theoretical exams. They must pass a radiotelephony exam, and an English language test.
===CPL=== Holders of a foreign CPL must take a theory course before sitting the theoretical exams.
===ATPL=== Holders of a foreign ATPL are exempt from the requirement to take a theory course before sitting the theoretical exams.
As long as the applicant meets the experience requirements, it is possible to take a flight test immediately with no flight training required.
===Instrument rating=== To convert a third country instrument rating, the flight test must take place in EU airspace, and must be preceded by acclimatisation flying in EU airspace.<ref name="IAA IR">https://www.iaa.ie/personnel-licensing/pilot-licences-(eu-regulations)/licensing-faq/faqs---pilot-licensing </ref>
==See also== *[[Pilot licensing and certification]] *[[Joint Aviation Authorities]]
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *{{Official website|https://www.easa.europa.eu/}}
[[Category:Aviation licenses and certifications]] [[Category:Aviation licenses and certifications by country]]