Airship (As) licences – Flying Start

There are two types of Airship (As) licences – CPL or CPL/IR(As)

CPL(As) = EASA Commercial Pilot Licence (Airships)

CPL/IR(As) = EASA Commercial Pilot Licence & Instrument Rating (Airships)

Summary

Licence to the level of experience required to operate single pilot on single or multi-engine airships in commercial air transport. With an Instrument Rating you may also fly in cloud and controlled airspace.

For further information about flying an airship, please visit the British Balloon & Airship Club (BBAC) at http://www.bbac.org/.

Airlander Coming in to Land 1 — Courtesy of Airlander

Privileges

Privileges of a PPL(As) & Night Qualification
On any aeroplane [specified on the licence] as…
- PIC/Copilot in operations other than commercial air transport
- PIC in commercial air transport for a single pilot aeroplane
- Copilot in commercial air transport

& with an IR(A)

PIC/Copilot in controlled airspace under IFR

You must be

Aged 18
EASA Part-MED Class 1 Medical

Integrated Training Requirements

Complete an approved Integrated or Modular course of training, one of…

CPL(As) Integrated Course
CPL/IR(As) Integrated Course
CPL(As) Modular Course (see modular training)
- IR(As) Modular Course (see modular training)

CPL(As) Integrated Course

Aim	To train pilots to the level of proficiency for a CPL(As).
Initial Requirements	None or some credit for a PPL
Total Flight Time	≥ 50 hours
Dual Instruction	≥ 30 hours
PIC	≥ 20 hours
Night	≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation
Instrument Instruction	≥ 10 hours
Cross Country	≥ 5 hours
Ground Exams	350 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction 13 multiple choice CPL exams
Flight Tests	CPL(As) Skill Test

CPL/IR(As) Integrated Course

Aim	To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate & obtain the CPL/IR(A).
Initial Requirements	None or some credit for a PPL
Total Flight Time	≥ 80 hours
Dual Instruction	≥ 60 hours
PIC (inc SPIC)	≥ 20 hours
Night	≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation
Instrument (all)	≥ 30 hours
Cross Country	≥ 5 hours
Ground Exams	500 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction 13 multiple choice CPL exams & 1 additional multiple choice IR exam
Flight Tests	CPL(As) Skill Test in SE or ME airship IR(As) Skill Test in an IFR ME airship

Modular Training Requirements

Complete an approved Integrated or Modular course of training, one of…

CPL(As) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
CPL/IR(As) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
CPL(As) Modular Course, after a PPL(As)
- IR(As) Modular Course

PPL(As)

This is not a professional licence, but the first step on the modular route towards a CPL(As). However it is possible to be a Flight Instructor with only a PPL(As), under certain conditions. For further details about the PPL(As) see the Private Pilot page.

Initial Requirements	Minimum Age 17, may start training earlier EASA Part-MED Class 1 or 2
Total Flight Time	≥ 35 hours
Dual Instruction	≥ 25 hours
Solo	≥ 8 hours
Ground Exams	9 multiple choice exams
Flight Tests	PPL(As) Skill Test

CPL(As) Modular Course

Aim	To train PPL(As) holders to the level of proficiency necessary for the issue of a CPL(As).
Initial Requirements	PPL(As) & ≥ 200 hours
Total Flight Time	≥ 250 hours including initial requirements
Dual Instruction	≥ 20 hours with credit for an IR
PIC	≥ 125 hours
Night	≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation
Instrument Instruction	≥ 10 hours with credit for an IR
Cross Country	≥ 50 hours instruction
Ground Exams	250 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction 13 multiple choice CPL exams
Flight Tests	CPL(As) Skill Test

IR(As) Modular Course

Aim	To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate airships under IFR & IMC.
Initial Requirements	CPL(As) or a PPL(As) with Night Rating
Total Flight Time	≥ 50 hours cross country
Dual Instruction	≥ 35 hours SE/ME with credit for CPL
Ground Exams	150 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction 7 multiple choice IR exams (or 1 additional to CPL exams)
Flight Tests	IR(As) Skill Test on SE or ME airships

Development

A minimum number of take-off/landings are required in a 90 day period to keep the CPL(As) current. An IR(As) is valid for a year and requires a revalidation test annually.
Class/Type Rating – to fly other airship types.
Flying Instructor (FI) Rating.
Instrument Rating (IR) for CPL(As) only – to fly as PIC/Copilot under IFR, i.e in cloud or in controlled airspace. See modular training IR(As).

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