Procedure for granting rating licenses to aircraft pilots in Vietnam

Procedure for granting rating licenses to aircraft pilots in Vietnam (Internet image)

Regarding this issue, LawNet would like to answer as follows:

On October 2, 2023, the Ministry of Transport issued Decision 1243/QD-BGTVT on the announcement of amended and supplemented administrative procedures in the field of aviation within the scope of management functions of the Ministry of Transport.

1. Procedure for granting rating licenses to aircraft pilots in Vietnam

According to Decision 1243/QD-BGTVT of 2023, the procedure for granting rating licenses to aircraft pilots is as follows;

- Submit administrative procedures:

The person requesting the issuance and recognition of the license and rating of an aircraft pilot must send 01 set of documents directly or by mail to the Vietnam Aviation Administration.

- Resolving administrative procedures:

Within 25 days of receiving complete documents, the Vietnam Aviation Administration is responsible for evaluating the documents, organizing inspections, and issuing pilot licenses to applicants who meet the requirements of the Ministry of Aviation Safety and Control.

* Components of the application file for a license or rating for an aircraft pilot

The components of the application file for a license and rating for an aircraft pilot include:

- Application for issuance of an aircraft pilot's license according to the prescribed form;

- Curriculum vitae with photo and confirmation from the head of the unit or local government;

- Health certificate in accordance with the regulations of the Ministry of Health and Part 8 of the Aviation Safety Regulations;

- Flight training record book and teacher's confirmation confirming that the person is ready for the practical test;

- The results of the test on the category, class, and type of aircraft are consistent with the rating requested;

- Copy of certificate of English language proficiency of at least level 4 as prescribed in Annex 1 of the Convention on International Civil Aviation of the English proficiency assessment facility for aviation personnel issued or recognized by the Vietnam Aviation Administration.

Number of documents: 01 set.

* Agency implementing administrative procedures

Individuals who carry out administrative procedures submit applications directly or through the postal system.

- Authority with decision-making authority: Vietnam Aviation Administration.

- Agency directly implementing administrative procedures: Vietnam Aviation Administration.

The time limit for resolving administrative procedures is 25 days from the date of receipt of valid documents.

* Fees and charges for carrying out administrative procedures

- First-time license theory test: 600,000 VND/time;

- Practical test: 1,700,000 VND/time

2. Standards for pilots of special aircraft and cabins in Vietnam

This content is prescribed in Circular 25/2022/TT-BGTVT, guiding the work of ensuring specialized aircraft and cabin flights.

2.1 For aircraft pilots with Vietnamese nationality:

(1) Have an aircraft pilot license issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam with a valid aircraft type and rating suitable for the Vietnam special aircraft and special cabin flight expected to be carried out;

(2) For commanders of specialized aircraft flights: have a minimum cumulative total of 5,000 flight hours (including at least 1,500 hours in the main pilot position) when the flight is more than 02 hours; at least 4,000 hours (including at least 1,000 hours in the main pilot position) when the flight is less than 02 hours; Have a total cumulative flight hours on the type of aircraft performing specialized flights in the main pilot position of at least 500 hours when the flight is more than 02 hours and in the main pilot position of at least 300 hours when the flight is less than 02 hours;

(3) For co-pilots: have a minimum cumulative flight time of 3,000 hours in the case of aircraft with an average flight time of more than 02 hours; have a minimum total cumulative flight hour of 2,000 hours in the case of an aircraft type with an average flight time of less than 02 hours;

(4) For new types of aircraft, within 01 year from the date of operation, in case there is a request to operate a Vietnamese special flight, the aircraft operator is responsible for evaluating the aircraft pilot's competency on the basis of having met the total cumulative flight hours specified in points (2) and (3) for aircraft types previously operated by Vietnamese special flights and reported to the Vietnam Aviation Administration for supervision;

(5) Have a sense of responsibility, a good sense of discipline, and a clear background;

(6) During the flight, there is no disciplinary action due to a violation that threatens safety at level D or higher within 24 months up to the time of performing the special flight mission;

(7) Get a written decision from the head of the airline operating Vietnam's special flights to operate Vietnam's special flights.

2.2 For aircraft pilots with foreign nationality: (only allowed to perform specialized flights, with over 2000 flight hours on the type of aircraft performing specialized flights)

(1) Must have a minimum labor contract of 24 months with the Vietnamese airline that is ordered to operate Vietnam's specialized flights by the time of selection to serve Vietnam's specialized flights; in case there is a request to use a new type of aircraft that has been operating in Vietnam for less than 24 months, it is possible to use a pilot of a new type of aircraft with a minimum labor contract term of 03 months;

(2) Have an aircraft pilot license issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam with a valid aircraft type and rating suitable for the type of aircraft performing specialized flights in Vietnam;

(3) Have a sense of responsibility and a good sense of discipline, with a clear background;

(4) During the flight, there is no disciplinary action due to violations that threaten safety at level D or higher within 24 months up to the time of performing specialized flight duties;

(5) Take a Vietnamese-specialized flight with a Vietnamese pilot;

(6) Get a written decision from the head of the airline operating Vietnam's specialized flights to operate Vietnam's specialized flights.

Nguyen Ngoc Que Anh

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