Flight training in United Arab Emirates

Flight crew licensing in the UAE is regulated by the GCAA through CAR Part II Chapter 2 (CAR-FCL, Flight Crew Licensing), whose structure follows the licence categories LAPL, PPL, CPL, MPL and ATPL with class, type and instrument ratings. Training organisations are approved by the GCAA under CAR Part II Chapter 9 (CAR-ORA). Medical certification is handled under CAR-MED, with Class 1 and Class 2 certificates issued by GCAA-approved aeromedical centres and examiners. Course content for integrated and modular routes is set out in appendices to CAR-FCL.

Source: gcaa.gov.ae/en/epublication/EPublications/Civil%20A

• General Civil Aviation AuthorityFederal competent authority for pilot licences, ratings and medical certification; it also certifies Approved Training Organisations (ATOs) under its Civil Aviation Regulations.

Listing here does not imply affiliation. Flight School Atlas is independent of every aviation authority.

• Private flying

  A PPL holder acts without remuneration as PIC or co-pilot in non-commercial operations; the LAPL is a lighter licence with lower hours.

  Source

• Commercial pilot (integrated or modular)

  The CPL requires theoretical knowledge and flight instruction at an ATO; CAR-FCL has integrated course appendices (including a CPL/IR integrated course for aeroplanes) and a modular route with higher hour minimums.

  Source

Names and privileges are local to United Arab Emirates. Similar names in other countries are not interchangeable.

A regulatory minimum is a legal floor for the qualification. It is not the number of hours most students need, and not a guarantee of cost or completion time.

CAR-FCL

The GCAA's Flight Crew Licensing regulation (CAR Part II Chapter 2).

CAR-ORA

Organisation Requirements for Aircrew, which covers approved training organisations (CAR Part II Chapter 9).

CAR-MED

Medical Provisions regulation, covering Class 1 and Class 2 certificates and aeromedical centres.

ATO

Approved Training Organisation certified by the GCAA to provide training for pilot licences.

LAPL

Light Aircraft Pilot Licence, a lighter licence below the PPL.

CAR-MED requires Class 2 for private pilots and Class 1 for commercial, multi-crew and airline transport pilots; Class 1 certificates are issued by an aeromedical centre and Class 2 by an aeromedical centre or an AME. Official medical information

Pilots using the radio telephone need an English language proficiency endorsement on the licence showing level and validity, at least operational level, re-evaluated every 3 years at operational level.

Languages of instruction among researched schools: English.

The GCAA sources read do not set out a student visa process. A foreign student should check the entry and residence rules of the UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, and confirm with the training organisation how sponsorship works. Foreign licence holders should note that conversion applications are only accepted through a UAE operator or an approved training organisation. Nothing here promises a visa or admission.

• UAE ICP (visas and residency)
• GCAA Civil Aviation Regulations

Training approval does not establish immigration permission or international-student eligibility. Verify current rules with the official sources above.

CAR-FCL Appendix 11 covers conversion of foreign licences: a verification letter from the state of issue (not older than 3 months), recent experience, a GCAA skill test, UAE medical, English proficiency and an air law exam, with conversion only to an equivalent or lower UAE licence level. Applications go through the GCAA e-service via a UAE operator or ATO.

• CAR-FCL Flight Crew Licensing, Issue 03 (Appendix 11)