Big Change in Europe for King Air Type Rating Delivery and Recurrent Training [Op-Ed]

Since April 2013, EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) now requires the use of an approved FSTD (Flight Simulation Training Devise) or FFS (Full Flight Simulator) in order to deliver or revalidate a Complex Aircraft Type Rating. This rule is now written in the EU 1178/2011 appendix 9 regulation that can be found here.  It was made in order to be able to demonstrate several actions which are not permitted or dangerous in real flight. For example:

– Engine failure at V1
– Windshear
– Full stall recovery

In Europe, all aircraft classified as High Performance and/or Complex requires a type rating, even if the aircraft is less than 5700 kg (12,500 lbs).  There is no link to the MTOW as in the US.

For the Beechcraft King Air type rating, you need the HPA certification (High Performance Aircraft), which is a two-day course.  The type rating itself requires two to three weeks.  Also, since last year, to apply for a King Air type rating, you have to be instrument rated, which makes it that much more challenging as a lot of private pilots are flying their King Airs VFR.

The majority census in this region is that unfortunately, even if this sounds like a good idea and an improvement in safety, there are problems linked to this.

First of these it that this regulation is the same for an Airbus 320 and for a Beechcraft King Air 90 and as you may know, there are tons of A320 simulators where there are only few King Air simulators available in Europe.  This means the aircraft owner, operator or private pilot incurs trouble to find a simulator or an alternative solution.

Another concern is that today, a fresh CPL pilot is able to get a King Air type rating with zero real flight time in a King Air, only having felt the fresh air conditioning in a nice simulator.  This is common in the airline industry but in my opinion, it is absolutely not suitable for an aircraft like the Beechcraft King Air.

How to Revalidate or Obtain a King Air Type Rating in Europe Today

You have 2 choices:

1) Go for the FSTD/FFS simulator option.  EASA created a list of approved simulators that can be found here.  You can request a quote from FlightSafety Farnborough for example, which is the only Beechcraft King Air B200 simulator in Europe, and your revalidation will be in the 7000 Euros range ($9,500 USD).

2) Write a claim to your national aviation authority stating that there are no simulators available in time for your revalidation using this link.

Additionally, you can go through an approved ATO / FTO to make your revalidation or your initial type rating on a real aircraft.  Keep in mind that this ATO / FTO needs to have an approved training course for this particular case.  You will also have to know that since April 2013, you need to revalidate your IR rating during the same time you do your Complex Type Rating revalidation.  This will cost you around 2 hours of flight time, plus the examiner and expenses, around 4000 € ($5,500 USD).

What are your experiences with this and have you found any additional solutions?

Philippe is currently the Sales & Flight Department Manager for Aeromecanic based at the Marseille-Provence Airport in France and was formerly a First Officer SA330 in the French Army Aviation.