Flight test and test pilot approval

For a more detailed process, see:

Flight test definition

A flight test gathers information about an aircraft, its equipment, or procedures to support the development of a new or modified aircraft and to show it meets airworthiness and performance standards.

Refer Advisory Circulars

AC19-1 - Test Pilot Approvals

AC21-10 - Experimental Flight Testing Guidance

Depending on your operation, see also:

AC21-2 - Aircraft certification - Airworthiness certificates in the standard and restricted categories

AC21-3 - Product certification - Airworthiness certificates in the special category

AC21-4 - Special category - Amateur-built aircraft airworthiness certificates

Applicable Rule parts

Part 19 Miscellaneous Rules

• 19.405 Test pilots

Part 21 Certification of Products and Parts

• 21.35 Inspections and Tests

• 21.39 Flight Tests

Understanding the rules for post-maintenance flights (non-experimental testing)

If you're conducting a flight after maintenance that doesn't count as an experimental flight test, it's important to be aware of the relevant rules.

Refer to AC 19-1, section 7 for guidance on flights that do not require CAA approval of a test pilot. While Advisory Circulars 19-1 and 21-10 can offer helpful information, keep in mind:

• These flights are not considered experimental flight tests.
• You do not need Test Pilot Approval.
• You do not need a special category—experimental airworthiness certificate.

Optional suggestion: Always ensure your flight activities [align] comply with current regulations, even if they don’t require special certification.

• 43.103 Requirements for certifying release-to-service

• 91.613 Operational flight check

Certificates of airworthiness

As part of CAA’s risk-based approach to certification, the privileges of your aircraft’s certificate of airworthiness vary depending on your intended future operations. For more information about Standard and Restricted category certificates, please see AC21-2, and for Special certificates, please see AC21-3 and AC21-4.

The four categories of Special Certificates of Airworthiness are:

• Experimental
• Exhibition / limited
• Amateur-built
• LSA

Each category now has its own specific application form that you’ll find at the bottom of this section.

Important note:

Applicants were often confused by the broad use of the ‘Experimental’ category.

To clarify:

• If the aircraft will operate under LSA, Amateur-built, or Exhibition / Limited status after testing, apply directly using that specific form.
• If the aircraft will operate under Standard or Restricted airworthiness after flight testing, use the Experimental form instead.

Special category airworthiness certificate forms

Application for special category airworthiness certificate (experimental) [DOCX 61 KB]

Application for special category airworthiness certificate (exhibition limited) [DOCX 59 KB]

Application for special category airworthiness certificate (amateur-built) [DOCX 59 KB]

Application for special category airworthiness certificate (LSA) [DOCX 60 KB]

Test pilot approval

Test pilot approval is recognition from the CAA that you’re competent to safely plan, carry out, and report on experimental flight testing. It requires both skilled flying with an understanding of aeronautical engineering principles.

Who needs test pilot approval?

You need approval if you're:

• performing experimental test flights to evaluate a new design or modification.

You do not need approval if you're:

• conducting an operational check flight after maintenance to verify if the aircraft behaves according to an existing certified design.

While approval isn't required for non-experimental flights, following test pilot best practices—like using a test plan and applying sound safety methods—adds significant value and safety. For more guidance, see:

AC21-10 - Experimental Flight Testing Guidance

Summary of test pilot categories and requirements

Here’s a summary of the qualifications, experience, and additional requirements for different categories of test pilots. These categories range from highly experienced professional test pilots to those conducting limited evaluations on special aircraft types.

As with many other activities, the CAA uses a risk-based approach to assess applications for flight testing. This is reflected in the four different categories of experimental flight testing (see AC19-1 - Test Pilot Approvals), which determine the different levels of experience and qualifications expected for a test pilot, depending on the test activity and future operations.

Please read the full version of the requirements and detailed qualifications in AC19-1 - Test Pilot Approvals.

Category 1: Senior test pilots

Purpose: Conduct high-risk, complex experimental flight tests.

Requirements:

• Graduate of a recognised test pilot school.
• Commercial or airline transport pilot licence (depending on aircraft).
• Instrument and multi-engine ratings if relevant.
• At least 1,000 total flight hours, with 400 as pilot-in-command.
• Extensive recent and past flight test experience.
• Class 1 medical, technical writing skills, and engineering knowledge.

Category 2: Intermediate test pilots

Purpose: Less complex test flying, still experimental.

Requirements:

• Training still required, but specific to the nature of testing.
• At least 750 flight hours, 300 as pilot-in-command.
• Other qualifications generally follow Category 1 but can be tailored.

Category 3: General test pilots

Purpose: Routine experimental flights with lower risk.

Requirements:

• Commercial pilot licence and relevant aircraft ratings.
• At least 500 hours as pilot-in-command.
• Introductory test pilot training course or seminar.
• Technical knowledge relevant to the specific testing.

Category 4: Evaluation pilots for special aircraft

Purpose: Evaluation flying for amateur-built, limited, and exhibition aircraft.

Requirements:

• Vary by aircraft type:
  • Amateur-built: Private or recreational pilot licence, 200+ hours PIC.
  • Limited/exhibition: Follow Category 3 standards.
• Must be familiar with applicable flight test handbooks and in current flying practice.

The CAA advises you to seek advice from the Part 146 Design Organisation about the appropriate test plan category; this should be stated within the flight test plan or schedule.

Note: Category 4 flight testing evaluates the flying of amateur-built, limited, and exhibition aircraft conducted according to the operating limitations issued as part of the special category-experimental airworthiness certificate. Refer AC21-4 for amateur-built aircraft and AC21-3 for limited and exhibition aircraft.

AC21-3 - Product certification - Airworthiness certificates in the special category

AC21-4 - Special Category-Amateur-Built Aircraft Airworthiness Certificates

Frequently asked questions