Edition 60, September 2008

Multi-crew pilot licence proposals released


Proposals for the introduction of an Australian multi-crew pilot licence (MPL) have been set out by the Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA).

A notice of proposed rule making has been issued providing the broad framework for the new category of licence, which was established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) in late 2006.

The MPL offers a new way of training people to become co-pilots in large aircraft operations with at least two pilots. It was established because there was an international recognition that current training requiring a large number of solo flying hours on smaller aircraft is not the most efficient and safe way to train jet aircraft co-pilots.

Training organisations and airlines also wanted a greater use of modern training techniques such as flight simulators.

Key proposals put forward by CASA include:

  • the minimum aeronautical knowledge requirements should be the same as the requirements for obtaining an air transport pilot licence and the instrument rating
  • the minimum flying experience should be the hours specified by ICAO as long as the training course, assessments and flight tests are based on the competency standards specified by ICAO
  • an MPL candidate will have demonstrated competency acting as pilot flying and as pilot monitoring a multi-crew multi-engine turbine powered aeroplane
  • a newly qualified MPL pilot should be limited initially to flying aircraft of the same type that was used in the final phase of the MPL course and with the airline associated with the MPL course
  • induction training and continuity experience requirements should apply to airlines using MPL pilots; the recent experience requirements for the MPL should be the same as the requirements for an air transport pilot licence.

For more information on the MPL notice of proposed rule making visit www.casa.gov.au/newrules/fcl/nprm0708fs.htm

This page was generated on 26 August, 2009

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