Type Rating Courses

By Kyle Garrett

A type rating grants pilots permission to operate certain aircraft or in certain conditions that are not part of the standard training included with any pilot's license or aircraft class training. Most commonly, type rating courses are specialized training programs designed to provide pilots with information specific to a certain aircraft type, or to a family of aircraft that share nearly identical onboard systems. A less common rating includes the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) second-in-command (SIC) type rating, which is a mandatory rating to act as co-pilot on aircraft requiring two crew members. Learn more about type rating training.

What Aircraft Require a Type Rating?

In general, the FAA requires a type rating for all aircraft with a maximum certified gross takeoff weight exceeding 12,500 lbs and for all turbojet (jet) aircraft, regardless of weight. Other aircraft types require a type rating as determined by the FAA. Aspiring corporate pilots and airline pilots will find themselves in the market for type rating training.