Type rating renewal and revalidation

Once the type rating has been obtained, pilots must comply with the recurring flight requirements to keep it in effect.

 The specific demands for renewing aircraft pilot ratings may vary according to the country and the relevant aviation authority. However, there are common requirements which may include the following:

• Maintenance of current license: it is important that the pilot license is up to date and yet not expired. If the license is expired, certain additional procedures may need to be completed for renewal.
• Flight Hours Compliance: pilots must accumulate a minimum of flight hours on the specific aircraft in a given period so as to renew their ratings. This ensures pilot remains familiar with the flight characteristics and procedures of that particular aircraft. The number of hours required may vary depending on the type rating and the relevant aviation authority.
• Recurrent training: recurrent training is an important component to renew the aircraft type rating as it is aimed to maintain and keep up to date the knowledge and skills necessary to operate the aircraft safely and efficiently. It should include: 
  • Flight simulator: these devices allow pilots to practice multiple situations in different scenarios. Emergency and critical maneuvers as well as normal flight procedures are performed with a very precise reproduction of the systems, controls and context of flight within a safe and effective environment for practical training.
  • Ground training: in addition to flight simulators, pilots also receive ground-based theoretical training that provides them with the theoretical knowledge and skills necessary to understand and comply with legal, technical and operational aspects. Some of these key points of ground training are:

• • • Rules and regulations: aviation pilots should have a thorough knowledge on aviation rules and regulations. This includes safety requirements, flight rules, air traffic regulations and emergency procedures, among others. Ground training provides pilots with a solid understanding of such regulations to ensure a safe operation at the time that legal standards are complied with.
    • Meteorology: this training is essential for pilots to understand and know how to deal with the meteorological phenomena they will encounter on their flights.