
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/.

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 |
|
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 |
|
Flight Tests |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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 |
|
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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