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What is a Type Rating and When is it Required?

By Nikita Gabdrakhmanov

Chief Flight Instructor, Wayman College of Aeronautics

A Type Rating is an FAA certification required to fly specific large or complex aircraft. You need one if the aircraft weighs more than 12,500 lbs (MGTOW) or is powered by a turbojet engine. It is essentially a “graduate degree” for a specific plane, proving you can handle its unique systems and emergencies.

Key Takeaways

  • The “Heavy” Rule: If it’s over 12,500 lbs or a jet, you need a Type Rating.

  • Who Pays? Airlines typically pay for your Type Rating (a $15k to $40k+ value) when you get hired.

  • The Checkride: The oral exam and flight test for a Type Rating are intense, focusing heavily on memory items and system failures.

  • Non-Transferable: A Type Rating for a Boeing 737 does not allow you to fly an Airbus A320. You need a separate, distinct rating for each.

You have your Private Pilot License. You have your Instrument Rating. You even have your Multi-Engine Commercial. Looking at your newly minted certificate, you might think you can fly almost anything with wings.

Not exactly.

In aviation, your base “license” (Certificate) allows you to fly a broad category and class of aircraft (e.g., Airplane Single Engine Land). But some aircraft are so complex, heavy, or fast that the FAA requires you to be specifically trained and tested on that exact machine. This is where the Type Rating comes in.

1. When is a Type Rating Required?

According to FAR 61.31, you must hold a Type Rating to act as Pilot in Command (PIC) of any of the following:

1. Large Aircraft Any aircraft with a maximum gross takeoff weight (MGTOW) over 12,500 lbs.

  • Examples: Boeing 737, Airbus A320, Gulfstream, or even a vintage DC-3.

2. Turbojet-Powered Aircraft Any aircraft powered by a jet engine, regardless of its weight.

  • Examples: Citation Mustang, HondaJet, Learjet.

  • Exception: Turboprops (like a King Air 90) do not need a type rating unless they exceed the 12,500 lbs weight limit.

2. Endorsements vs. Type Ratings (The Common Confusion)

Many new students confuse Type Ratings with Logbook Endorsements. As an instructor, I see this misunderstanding often. Let’s clear it up:

  • Endorsements: For complex or high-performance piston aircraft like the Cessna 182 (Skylane) or Piper PA-28 (Arrow), you do not need a Type Rating. You simply need a one-time endorsement signed by a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) directly in your logbook to legally fly them.

  • Type Ratings: These are full certifications permanently added to the back of your physical pilot certificate. They require formal ground school, simulator training, and an intensive checkride. They are reserved specifically for the heavy aircraft or turbojets mentioned above.

3. The Cost: Who Pays?

A Type Rating is incredibly expensive. The cost ranges from $15,000 to $40,000 depending on the complexity of the aircraft and the training facility.

So, who foots the bill?

  • Airlines: If you get hired by a regional like SkyWest or a major like American Airlines, they pay for it. It is baked into your initial new-hire training.

  • Corporate: If you are hired to fly a wealthy individual’s Gulfstream, the flight department usually covers the cost.

  • Self-Sponsored: Some pilots pay for their own Boeing 737 or A320 rating to make their resume stand out. This is very common in the European and Asian markets, but much less common in the US.

Mentor’s Note: “Don’t rush to buy a Type Rating yourself unless you have a guaranteed job offer that explicitly requires it. In the US pilot market, build your hours as an instructor, get hired by an airline, and let them pay for your Type Rating.”

4. SIC vs. PIC Type Ratings

If you are flying a jet that requires two pilots, you will encounter two different levels of Type Ratings:

  • PIC Type Rating (Pilot in Command): This allows you to act as the Captain. It requires a full, rigorous checkride flown to Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) standards.

  • SIC Type Rating (Second in Command): This allows you to legally act as the First Officer (Co-Pilot). It is required for international flights under ICAO rules. The SIC rating is less rigorous to obtain and often just requires formal familiarization training, rather than a full FAA checkride.

Every airline Captain starts in a single-engine piston aircraft. If your goal is to one day earn a Type Rating for a Boeing or Airbus, you need to build a flawless foundation first. Explore our Professional Pilot Programs and let us help you map your journey from zero hours to the jet deck.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does a Type Rating expire?

The rating itself does not expire (it is on your license forever). However, to use it, you must be “current.” In the airline world, you go back to the simulator every 6 to 12 months for “Instrument proficiency” and 24 calendar months for flight review.

Can I get a Type Rating with just a Private License?

Yes! You can be a Private Pilot with a Type Rating (e.g., John Travolta flying his Boeing 707). However, you must pass the checkride to the same standard as an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP).

What is the hardest Type Rating?

Older jets (like the Learjet 20 series or Metroliner) are notoriously difficult because they lack modern automation. Modern jets like the A350 are complex but have computers that help you fly.