You may need operational ratings to conduct particular activities.
We specify operational ratings for flights that require pilots to complete additional training. These ratings have a number of endorsements that define the extra knowledge and skills you need to conduct these flights safely.
For example, to conduct mustering operations in a helicopter, you need to hold a low-level rating with an aerial mustering helicopter endorsement.
Other examples include:
- flying at night
- teaching others to fly
- low-level or agricultural work.
Getting an operational rating
To get an operational rating, you need to complete flight training and a flight test to be assessed as competent to conduct the operational activity.
The flight training can be done by:
- an authorised flight instructor
- person authorised by us.
After you've finished the training and passed the flight test, we can issue the rating and associated endorsements. This allows you to do some of the following:
- flying at night
- flying on instruments in clouds
- teaching others to fly
- flying at night using night vision goggles
- low-level or agricultural work.
To conduct the activity, you need to:
- hold the correct operational rating
- hold the relevant endorsement
- satisfy the review or proficiency check requirements for the rating.
There are a number of endorsements for operational ratings under Part 61 of CASR Flight crew licensing.
Extra endorsements
You can hold more than one of the rating endorsement. To add an endorsement you must:
- complete the training
- satisfy the minimum experience requirements specified for the endorsement
- pass the flight test.
Ratings and endorsements
Instrument rating
An instrument rating (IR) authorises you to conduct any kind of flight under the instrument flight rules (IFR). A private instrument rating (PIR) only permits you to conduct a private flight under the IFR.
To maintain an IR you need an instrument proficiency check (IPC) every year.
Related endorsements:
- Single-engine aeroplane
- Multi-engine aeroplane
- Single-engine helicopter
- Multi-engine helicopter
- Powered-lift aircraft
- Gyroplane
- Airship
- Instrument approach 2D
- Instrument approach 3D
We provide more detail about Instrument ratings and endorsements.
Private instrument rating
A private instrument rating (PIFR) is needed for a single-pilot operation under IFR.
A PIFR needs a flight review every 2 years. For PIFR requirements see Subpart 61.N of CASR Private instrument ratings 61.910 – 61.950 and table 61.890.
Related endorsements:
- Single-engine aeroplane
- Multi-engine aeroplane
- Single-engine helicopter
- Multi-engine helicopter
- Powered-lift aircraft
- Gyroplane
- Airship
- Navigation non-directional beacon (NDB)
- Navigation VHF Omni-directional Radio (VOR)/Localizer (LLZ)
- Navigation global navigation surveillance system (GNSS)
- Departure – single-engine aircraft
- Departure – multi-engine aeroplane
- Departure – multi-engine helicopter
- Departure – powered-lift
- Departure – airship
- Standard Instrument departure
- STAR
- Approach – NDB
- Approach – VOR/ localiser
- Approach – distance measuring equipment (DME) or GNSS arrival
- Approach – RNP APCH 2D
- Approach – RNP APCH 3D
- Approach – ILS
- Approach and landing-multi-engine aeroplane
- Approach and landing-multi-engine helicopter
- Night
Night VFR rating
A night visual flight rating (NVFR) allows you to conduct a flight operation at night under visual flight rules (VFR).
A VFR rating needs a night VFR flight review every 2 years. For NVFR requirements see Subpart 61.O of CASR 61.955 to 61.990 and table 61.980.
Related endorsements:
- Single-engine aeroplane
- Multi-engine aeroplane
- Helicopter
- Powered-lift aircraft
- Gyroplane
- Airship.
Night vision imaging system rating
A night vision imaging system rating (NVIR) allows you to conduct a flight operation at night using a night vision imaging system (NVIS). For example, a flight at night using night vision goggles under the VFR or IFR.
To maintain an NVIS rating you need a proficiency check every year. For NVIS requirements see Subpart 61.P—Night vision imaging system ratings 61.995 to 61.1035 and table 61.1025.
Related endorsements:
- Grade 1
- Grade 2.
Low-level rating
A low-level (LL) rating is needed for a low-level flight operation (below 500 feet AGL including low-level aerobatics).
A LL rating needs a flight review every year. For LL requirements see Subpart 61.Q—Low‑level ratings 61.1040 to 61.1085 and table 61.1075.
Related endorsements:
- Aeroplane
- Helicopter
- Powered-lift aircraft
- Gyroplane
- Aerial mustering-aeroplane
- Aerial mustering-helicopter
- Aerial mustering-gyroplane
- Sling operations
- Winch and rappelling operations.
Aerial application rating
An aerial application (AA) rating is needed for an aerial application flight operation below 500 feet AGL.
An AA rating needs a proficiency check (APC) every year. For AA requirements see Subpart 61.R—Aerial application ratings 61.1090 to 61.1140 and table 61.1120.
Related endorsements:
- Aeroplane
- Helicopter
- Gyroplane
- Firefighting-aeroplane
- Firefighting-helicopter
- Night-aeroplane
- Night-helicopter
- Night-gyroplan
Flight instructor rating
A flight instructor rating (FIR) or simulator instructor (SIR) is needed for flight training for pilot licences, ratings and endorsements.
Learn more about the role of flight instructors and how to become one.
Flight examiner rating
A flight examiner rating (FER) is needed to conduct flight tests, proficiency checks, grant ratings and endorsement.
Learn more about how to become a flight examiner, including the ratings you need.
Flight engineer instructor and examiner ratings
A flight engineer instructor rating is needed for training for engineering licences, ratings, endorsements and to grant endorsements.
A flight engineer examiner rating allows you to conduct engineering tests and grant ratings and endorsements.
Learn more about aircraft maintenance engineers.
Regulations for operational ratings and endorsements
The rules for operational ratings and endorsements are covered in Part 61 of CASR:
- Subpart 61.O—Night VFR ratings
- Subpart 61.P—Night vision imaging system ratings
- Subpart 61.Q—Low‑level ratings
- Subpart 61.R—Aerial application ratings.