There are three FAI Rotorcraft Certificates of Proficiency: Bronze, Silver and Gold (see Sporting Code, Section 9, Chapter 7 in Documents > Sporting Code).

The levels of pilot experience achieved throughout the scheme are recognised by the award of the appropriate Certificate when the minimum requirements are met or exceeded. The form and the colour of the badges are valid internationally.

Requirements for Certificates of Proficiency

The following licences are to be submitted and experience to be proved :

Bronze Certificate of Proficiency

  • A Private Pilot's Licence, valid for rotorcraft, issued according to the regulations of ICAO and by a country member of FAI.
  • A restricted Radio Telephony Licence in English Language.
  • A minimum of 150 hours total flight time, at least 100 hours as a pilot-in-command.

In addition one of the following requirements must be met:

  • Landing above 500 meters
  • Licence rating on 2 different types of Rotorcraft
  • Water crossing exceeding 10 minutes
  • Flight Examiner rating
  • IFR rating
  • Instructor rating
  • Night rating
  • Participation at one Category 1 event
  • Continuous flight exceeding one hour

Silver Certificate of Proficiency

  • A minimum of 300 hours total flight time, 200 of which as a pilot-in-command.

In addition three of the following requirements must be met:

  • Landing above 1 000 meters
  • Licence rating on 3 different types of Rotorcraft
  • Water crossing exceeding 10 minutes
  • Flight Examiner rating
  • IFR rating
  • Instructor rating
  • Multi-engine rating
  • Night rating
  • Participation at two Category 1 events
  • Continous flight exceeding one and a half hours
  • Holder of the Bronze Proficiency Certificate

Gold Certificate of Proficiency

  • A minimum of 600 hours total flight time, 400 of which as PIC.

In addition four of the following requirements must be met:

  • Landing above 1 500 meters
  • Licence rating on 4 different types of Rotorcraft
  • Flight Examiner rating
  • IFR rating
  • Instructor rating
  • Multi-engine rating
  • Night rating
  • Participation at three Category 1 events
  • Continous flight exceeding two hours
  • Holder of Bronze and Silver Proficiency Certificates

Order and information

Orders for the FAI Rotorcraft Certificates of Proficiency are to be placed with the FAI Secretariat.

More information on pricing is available in the documents below.

Note that only FAI Members (National Airsport Control organisations) and their authorised affiliated federations are eligible to place orders.

Pilot lists

The FAI keeps a list of the names of all pilots holding Certificates of Proficiency.