A Type Rating is a specialized certification added to a pilot’s license that confirms the holder has completed the required training and demonstrated proficiency to operate a specific, complex aircraft model. This certification is a requirement for pilots who seek to fly large airliners and sophisticated business jets in commercial and corporate aviation. Obtaining a Type Rating signifies a pilot has mastered the unique systems, performance characteristics, and operational procedures of a particular aircraft. This process is designed to uphold the highest standards of safety in the air transport sector.
What Exactly Is an Aircraft Type Rating?
An aircraft Type Rating is a formal endorsement placed on a pilot’s license that grants privileges to act as pilot-in-command or second-in-command of a specific make and model of aircraft. Unlike general pilot licenses, which cover broad classes of aircraft, the Type Rating is specific, applying to a single type, such as the Boeing 737 or the Airbus A320. This specificity is necessary because modern airliners possess highly integrated, complex systems that require intensive, dedicated study. The primary purpose of the rating is to guarantee that the pilot fully understands the aircraft’s unique operating envelope, limitations, and emergency procedures. For example, a pilot rated on one jet cannot simply transition to a different model without first obtaining the corresponding Type Rating, although some aircraft families with similar flight decks may require only a short difference course.
Regulatory Triggers: When Is a Type Rating Required?
A pilot must obtain a Type Rating when the aircraft they intend to fly meets specific regulatory criteria established by civil aviation authorities. The most common trigger is the aircraft’s maximum takeoff weight (MTOW). In the United States, for instance, a Type Rating is required for any aircraft with an MTOW exceeding 12,500 pounds (approximately 5,700 kilograms). Another major determining factor is the type of propulsion system. Any airplane powered by a turbojet or turbofan engine, regardless of its weight, requires a Type Rating. Furthermore, a Type Rating is mandated for all aircraft certified for operation by a crew of two or more pilots. Aviation administrators also reserve the right to designate any other aircraft as requiring a Type Rating if its complexity, specialized systems, or unusual handling characteristics warrant additional, dedicated training.
The Step-by-Step Process of Obtaining a Type Rating
The process for earning a Type Rating is an intensive, multi-phase training program, typically lasting between four and eight weeks, depending on the aircraft and the training provider.
Ground School
The initial phase is the Ground School, where pilots spend several weeks immersed in theoretical instruction. This instruction focuses on a deep, technical understanding of the aircraft’s systems, including hydraulics, pneumatics, avionics, engines, and performance characteristics, all of which are studied in great detail.
Simulator Training
Following the academic phase, pilots transition to Simulator Training, utilizing a Full-Flight Simulator (FFS) that perfectly replicates the aircraft’s cockpit, flight dynamics, and environment. During these sessions, pilots practice standard operating procedures and, more importantly, are subjected to a wide range of abnormal situations and emergency procedures that would be unsafe to practice in the actual aircraft. The simulator sessions are highly realistic and are designed to build the necessary motor skills and Crew Resource Management (CRM) proficiency required to handle the aircraft under stress.
The Checkride
The final step is the Checkride, or practical examination, conducted by an authorized examiner. This final assessment is performed either in the full-flight simulator or, for some aircraft, includes a period of “base training” in the actual aircraft to perform a minimum number of takeoffs and landings. Successful completion of the Checkride confirms the pilot is competent in all aspects of the aircraft’s operation, leading to the endorsement being added to their pilot license.
Maintaining Recurrent Training and Currency
A Type Rating is not a permanent qualification and must be actively maintained through recurrent training to ensure the pilot remains current and proficient. Regulatory bodies require pilots to undergo periodic checks, most commonly every six or twelve months, which are usually conducted in a full-motion simulator. This recurrent training involves a review of aircraft systems, operational updates, and the practice of emergency procedures. The culmination of this training is a Proficiency Check (PC), which must be passed to revalidate the Type Rating privileges. If a pilot fails to meet these requirements within the specified timeframe, the rating is considered inactive, and the pilot is not authorized to act as a flight crew member on that aircraft type. For a lapsed rating to be restored, the pilot must complete a refresher course and pass a new competency assessment, with the required training hours increasing based on the duration of the lapse.
Type Rating vs. Other Pilot Qualifications
The Type Rating exists alongside other, broader pilot qualifications that are also required to operate an aircraft. The broadest classification is the Category Rating, which groups aircraft based on their basic operating medium, such as Airplane, Rotorcraft, or Powered-Lift. Within a Category, pilots hold a Class Rating, which further distinguishes aircraft by characteristics like engine count and landing surface, such as Single-Engine Land or Multi-Engine Sea. The Type Rating is the most specific of these endorsements, applying to a single make and model that has been deemed complex enough to warrant specialized training, such as the Airbus A350. An Instrument Rating (IR) is a separate qualification entirely, which certifies a pilot’s ability to fly in poor weather conditions by relying solely on the aircraft’s instruments, a requirement for nearly all commercial jet operations. While Category, Class, and Instrument Ratings cover the general privileges of a pilot, the Type Rating focuses precisely on the technical mastery of one particular aircraft.