
There are two types of Helicopter (H) licences – CPL or CPL/IR(H)
CPL(H) = EASA Commercial Pilot Licence (Helicopters)
CPL/IR(H) = EASA Commercial Pilot Licence & Instrument Rating (Helicopters)
Summary
Licence to the level of experience required to operate VFR as single pilot on single or multi-engine helicopters in commercial air transport. With an Instrument Rating you may also fly in cloud and controlled airspace.

Privileges
- Privileges of a PPL(H) & Night Qualification
- On any helicopter [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(H) Integrated Course
- CPL/IR(H) Integrated Course
- ATPL(H) Integrated Course
- ATPL/IR(H) Integrated Course
- CPL(H) Modular Course (see modular training)
- IR(H) Modular Course (see modular training)
CPL(H) Integrated Course
Aim | To train pilots to the level of proficiency for a CPL(H). |
Initial Requirements | None or some credit for a PPL |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 135 hours |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 85 hours |
PIC | ≥ 50 hours |
Night | ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation |
Instrument Instruction | ≥ 10 hours |
Cross Country Navigation | ≥ 10 hours dual & ≥ 10 hours PIC |
Ground Exams |
|
Flight Tests | CPL(H) Skill Test |
CPL/IR(H) Integrated Course
Aim | To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate single-pilot ME helicopters & obtain the CPL/IR(H) multi-engine. |
Initial Requirements | None or some credit for a PPL |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 180 hours |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 125 hours |
PIC (inc SPIC) | ≥ 55 hours |
Night | ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation |
Instrument (all) | ≥ 50 hours |
Cross Country Navigation | ≥ 10 hours dual & ≥ 10 hours PIC |
Ground Exams |
|
Flight Tests |
|
ATPL(H) & ATPL/IR(H) Integrated Courses
Completion of either course give you a CPL(H) (& IR(H)) with ATPL theory. See ATPL(H) Integrated Training for further details.
Modular Training Requirements
Complete an approved Integrated or Modular course of training, one of…
- CPL(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
- CPL/IR(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
- ATPL(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
- ATPL/IR(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
- CPL(H) Modular Course, after a PPL(H)
- IR(H) Modular Course
PPL(H)
This is not a professional licence, but the first step on the modular route towards a CPL(H). However it is possible to be a Flight Instructor with only a PPL(H), under certain conditions. For further details about the PPL(H) see the Private Pilot page.
Initial Requirements |
|
Total Flight Time | ≥ 45 hours |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 25 hours |
Solo | ≥ 10 hours |
Ground Exams | 9 multiple choice exams |
Flight Tests | PPL(H) Skill Test |
CPL(H) Modular Course
Aim | To train PPL(H) holders to the level of proficiency necessary for the issue of a CPL(H). |
Initial Requirements | PPL(H) & ≥ 155 hours |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 185 hours including initial requirements |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 30 hours with credit for an IR |
PIC | ≥ 50 hours |
Night | ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation |
Instrument Instruction | ≥ 30 hours with credit for an IR |
Ground Exams | For CPL(H) only
or if aiming for ATPL(H)
|
Flight Tests | CPL(H) Skill Test |
IR(H) Modular Course
Aim | To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate helicopters under IFR & IMC. |
Initial Requirements | CPL(H) or a PPL(H) with Night Rating |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 200 hours including initial requirements |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 50/55 hours SE/ME with credit for CPL |
Ground Exams |
(or 1 additional to CPL exams) |
Flight Tests | IR(H) Skill Test on SE or ME helicopter |
Development
- A minimum number of take-off/landings are required in a 90 day period to keep the CPL(H) current. An IR(H) is valid for a year and requires a revalidation test annually.
- Class/Type Rating – to fly other aircraft types.
- Flying Instructor (FI) Rating.
- Instrument Rating (IR) for CPL(H) only – to fly as PIC/Copilot under IFR, i.e in cloud or in controlled airspace. See modular training IR(H).
ATPL or ATPL/IR(H)
CPL(A) = EASA Commercial Pilot Licence (Aeroplanes)
CPL/IR(A) = EASA Commercial Pilot Licence & Instrument Rating (Aeroplanes)
Summary
Licence for the level of experience required to operate single pilot on single or multi-engine aeroplanes in commercial air transport. With an Instrument Rating you may also fly in cloud and controlled airspace.

Privileges
- Privileges of a PPL(A) & 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(A) Integrated Course
- CPL/IR(A) Integrated Course
- ATPL(A) Integrated Course
- CPL(A) Modular Course (see modular training)
- IR(A) Modular Course (see modular training)
CPL(A) Integrated Course
Aim | To train pilots to the level of proficiency for a CPL(A). |
Initial Requirements | None or some credit for a PPL |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 150 hours |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 80 hours |
PIC | ≥ 70 hours |
Night | ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation |
Instrument Instruction | ≥ 10 hours |
Complex Type | ≥ 5 hours |
Ground Exams |
|
Flight Tests | CPL(A) Skill Test in SE or ME aeroplane |
CPL/IR(A) Integrated Course
Aim | To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate single-pilot SE or ME aeroplanes in commercial air transport & obtain the CPL/IR(A) |
Initial Requirements | None or some credit for a PPL |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 180 hours |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 80 hours |
PIC | ≥ 70 hours |
Night | ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation |
Instrument Instruction | ≥ 100 hours |
Complex Type | ≥ 5 hours |
Ground Exams |
|
Flight Tests |
|
ATPL(A) Integrated Course
Completion of this course gives you a CPL/IR(A) with ATPL theory, called a Frozen ATPL (fATPL). See ATPL(A) Integrated Training for further details.
Modular Training Requirements
Complete an approved Integrated or Modular course of training, one of…
- CPL(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
- CPL/IR(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
- ATPL(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
- ATPL/IR(H) Integrated Course (see integrated training)
- CPL(H) Modular Course, after a PPL(H)
- IR(H) Modular Course
PPL(H)
This is not a professional licence, but the first step on the modular route towards a CPL(H). However it is possible to be a Flight Instructor with only a PPL(H), under certain conditions. For further details about the PPL(H) see the Private Pilot page.
Initial Requirements |
|
Total Flight Time | ≥ 45 hours |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 25 hours |
Solo | ≥ 10 hours |
Ground Exams | 9 multiple choice exams |
Flight Tests | PPL(H) Skill Test |
CPL(H) Modular Course
Aim | To train PPL(H) holders to the level of proficiency necessary for the issue of a CPL(H). |
Initial Requirements | PPL(H) & ≥ 155 hours |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 185 hours including initial requirements |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 30 hours with credit for an IR |
PIC | ≥ 50 hours |
Night | ≥ 5 hours including ≥ 1 hour navigation |
Instrument Instruction | ≥ 30 hours with credit for an IR |
Ground Exams | For CPL(H) only
or if aiming for ATPL(H)
|
Flight Tests | CPL(H) Skill Test |
IR(H) Modular Course
Aim | To train pilots to the level of proficiency necessary to operate helicopters under IFR & IMC. |
Initial Requirements | CPL(H) or a PPL(H) with Night Rating |
Total Flight Time | ≥ 200 hours including initial requirements |
Dual Instruction | ≥ 50/55 hours SE/ME with credit for CPL |
Ground Exams |
(or 1 additional to CPL exams) |
Flight Tests | IR(H) Skill Test on SE or ME helicopter |
Development
- A minimum number of take-off/landings are required in a 90 day period to keep the CPL(H) current. An IR(H) is valid for a year and requires a revalidation test annually.
- Class/Type Rating – to fly other aircraft types.
- Flying Instructor (FI) Rating.
- Instrument Rating (IR) for CPL(H) only – to fly as PIC/Copilot under IFR, i.e in cloud or in controlled airspace. See modular training IR(H).
Interested in finding out more?
Please contact us for more information