You are here: / / ATPL(H)

ATPL(H)

Airline Transport Pilot Licence — Helicopters

The highest EASA helicopter pilot licence. It allows experienced helicopter pilots to act as commander in eligible multi-pilot commercial helicopter operations, subject to type rating, medical, recency and operator requirements.

Check requirements Privileges

FLIGHT TYPE

Helicopter

MINIMUM AGE

21 years

MEDICAL

Class 1 required

DURATION

1,000 hours minimum

QUALIFICATION OVERVIEW

What is the ATPL(H)?

The ATPL(H) is the Airline Transport Pilot Licence for helicopters. It is the highest helicopter pilot licence and is aimed at experienced pilots who need commander privileges in multi-pilot helicopter operations.

Most helicopter pilots do not receive the full ATPL(H) at the start of their professional career. They normally complete professional theory, fly with CPL(H) privileges, build experience and then apply for ATPL(H) once the required flight time and multi-pilot experience have been achieved.

Key point: ATPL(H) theory is not the same as holding the full ATPL(H). The full licence requires age, theory, CPL(H), experience, type rating, medical and skill-test requirements.

ENTRY AND COMPLETION PROFILE

Requirements at a glance

TYPE OF FLIGHT

Helicopter

The ATPL(H) applies to helicopter operations and is focused on advanced commercial and multi-pilot command privileges.

MINIMUM AGE

21 years

The applicant must be at least 21 years old before the ATPL(H) can be issued.

EDUCATION REQUIRED

No fixed academic degree
No universal degree is required, but the theory and operational level demand strong technical knowledge, English, CRM, planning and command judgement.

MEDICAL CERTIFICATE

Class 1 medical

A valid Class 1 medical certificate is required to exercise airline transport pilot privileges.

PREVIOUS LICENCE REQUIRED

CPL(H)

The applicant normally needs to hold CPL(H), plus the relevant multi-pilot helicopter type rating and MCC where required.

PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE

1,000 hours minimum

The applicant must have at least 1,000 hours of helicopter flight time, with specific multi-pilot, PIC/PICUS, cross-country, instrument and night experience.

ESTIMATED DURATION

Several years

ATPL(H) theory can be completed earlier, but full ATPL(H) issue normally happens after several years of professional helicopter flying.

COMPLETE ESTIMATED COST

Route-dependent

Costs depend on the previous CPL(H) route, ATPL(H) theory, type ratings, MCC, operator training and whether the pilot self-funds additional qualifications.

FINAL RESULT OBTAINED

ATPL(A)

The licence enables command-level helicopter privileges, subject to type rating, medical, recency and operator requirements.

COMMON TRAINING STAGE

Frozen ATLP(H) vs Full ATPL(H)

ATPL(H) THEORY

Theoretical knowledge credit

ATPL(H) theory is the professional theoretical knowledge course and examination standard. It is often completed before the pilot has enough flight experience for the full licence.

  • Does not give ATPL(H) commander privileges by itself.
  • Supports progression towards advanced helicopter operations.
  • May be required or preferred for certain professional pathways.
  • Must be combined with practical experience and licence requirements.

FULL ATPL(A)

Issued after experience

The full ATPL(H) is issued only when the pilot meets the required age, theoretical knowledge, experience, type rating, medical and skill-test requirements.

  • Minimum age is 21.

  • Requires at least 1,000 hours of helicopter flight time.
  • Requires multi-pilot and command-related experience.
  • Enables commander privileges in eligible multi-pilot helicopter operations.

STANDARD ROUTE

How to obtain it

The ATPL(H) is normally reached after CPL(H), professional helicopter experience, ATPL(H) theory and the relevant multi-pilot helicopter type-rating background.

01

Hold CPL(H) and the required type-rating background

The ATPL(H) is normally reached after CPL(H), professional helicopter experience, MCC where required and the relevant multi-pilot helicopter type rating.

02

Complete ATPL(H) theoretical knowledge

Pilots complete ATPL(H)-level theory covering professional helicopter subjects, multi-pilot operations and commercial air transport standards.

03

Build the required helicopter experience

The applicant must build the required helicopter flight time, including multi-pilot, PIC or PICUS, cross-country, instrument and night experience.

04

Maintain Class 1 medical and type ratings

A valid Class 1 medical and valid helicopter type ratings are essential throughout the professional pathway.

05

Complete multi-pilot and operator experience

The ATPL(H) is focused on command of helicopters in multi-pilot commercial operations, so multi-crew experience is central.

06

Build airline flight experience

Preparation focuses on command standard, multi-crew procedures, abnormal situations, instrument procedures where applicable and operator-style decision-making.

07

Pass the ATPL(H) skill test

The applicant must demonstrate the ability to act as pilot-in-command of a helicopter under the applicable multi-pilot or commercial standards.

08

Apply for ATPL(H) issue

The authority reviews licence, theory, medical, type rating, experience and test evidence before issuing the ATPL(H).

THEORICAL KNOWLEDGE

ATPL(H) theoretical subjects

ATPL(H) theory is the highest helicopter theoretical knowledge standard and includes helicopter-specific performance, principles of flight and operational procedures.

010

Air Law

Regulations, rules of the air, airspace, licensing, ATS procedures and commercial air transport helicopter rules.

021

Aircraft General Knowledge – Systems

Helicopter systems, engines, transmission, rotors, electrics, hydraulics, fuel, equipment and limitations.

022

Instrumentation

Instruments, avionics, displays, autopilot, warnings, indications and limitations in advanced helicopter operations.

031

Mass and Balance

Loading, centre of gravity, passenger, fuel and cargo distribution, stability and operational limitations.

032

Performance – Helicopters

Hover, take-off, landing, climb, OEI considerations, density altitude, obstacle clearance and performance planning.

033

Flight Planning and Monitoring

Operational flight plans, fuel, alternates, monitoring, contingencies and multi-pilot planning discipline.

040

Human Performance

Physiology, psychology, CRM, leadership, communication, fatigue, workload, stress and command decision-making.

050

Meteorology

Operational weather, icing, thunderstorms, turbulence, visibility, low-level hazards, reports and forecasts.

061

General Navigation

Charts, tracks, headings, flight logs, wind correction, planning calculations and navigation principles.

062

Radio Navigation

GNSS, radio aids, PBN concepts, IFR navigation, navigation accuracy and system limitations.

070

Operational Procedures

SOPs, abnormal and emergency procedures, low visibility, offshore/HEMS-style risk awareness and safety management.

082

Principles of flight – Helicopters

Advanced rotor aerodynamics, autorotation, vortex ring, retreating blade stall, high-speed effects and control.

090

Communications

IFR/VFR communications, standard phraseology, emergency communication, readbacks and ATC interaction.

100

KSA

Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes: application of theory, teamwork, workload management, communication and professional behaviour.

FLIGHT-TIME REQUIREMENT

The 1,000-hour requirement.

For ATPL(H) issue, EASA requires at least 1,000 hours of flight time in helicopters, with a detailed experience breakdown.

Core requirements

  • At least 1,000 hours total flight time in helicopters.
  • At least 350 hours in multi-pilot operations on helicopters.
  • Specified PIC or PICUS experience, depending on the route.
  • At least 200 hours cross-country flight time, with a required PIC or PICUS component.

Additional experience

  • Instrument time requirement, with limits on simulator credit.
  • Night flight experience requirement.
  • FSTD credit may be permitted within regulatory limits.
  • Evidence must match the competent authority’s application requirements.
Important: The 1,000 hours are not just any helicopter hours. The applicant must meet the detailed multi-pilot, PIC/PICUS, cross-country, instrument and night requirements.

PRIVILEDGES AND LIMITATIONS

What can you do with an ATPL(H)?

The ATPL(H) includes lower helicopter licence privileges and enables command privileges in eligible multi-pilot commercial helicopter operations.

Main privileges

  • Exercise the privileges of LAPL(H), PPL(H) and CPL(H), where applicable.
    Act as pilot-in-command in eligible multi-pilot commercial helicopter operations.
    Serve in command roles subject to type rating, operator training and company appointment.
    Progress into senior helicopter captain or command positions where operator requirements are met.

Important limitations

  • A valid helicopter type rating is required for the helicopter operated.
  • A valid Class 1 medical is required for commercial privileges.
  • Operator conversion, line checks and command training may still be required.
  • ATPL(H) does not remove recency, proficiency check or company training obligations.

TYPE RATING

What type rating is needed?

The ATPL(H) itself is a licence, not a helicopter type rating. The pilot must hold a valid type rating for the helicopter operated, especially in multi-pilot commercial operations.

Typical outcome: ATPL(H) applicants are normally already operating on a relevant multi-pilot helicopter type. The type rating must remain valid through the required revalidation checks.

The type rating determines the helicopter model the pilot may operate. Additional helicopter types require their own type-rating training and testing.

VALIDITY AND RENEWAL

Does the ATPL(H) expire?

The ATPL(H) licence itself is not normally treated like a fixed-expiry type rating. The ability to use it depends on valid type ratings, a valid Class 1 medical, language proficiency where applicable, recency and operator training compliance.

Important: Helicopter type ratings have their own validity and revalidation rules. If a type rating expires, renewal normally requires assessment, refresher training as required and a proficiency check with an examiner.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Estimated complete cost

ROUTE-DEPENDENT

Varies widely

The full ATPL(H) pathway cost depends on CPL(H), ATPL(H) theory, helicopter type ratings, MCC, operator training and whether the employer funds advanced training.

Costs usually sit across the whole pathway

  • Class 1 medical
  • PPL(H) and CPL(H), if modular
  • Hour building and professional experience
  • ATPL(H) theoretical knowledge course and exams
  • Helicopter type ratings
  • MCC(H), where required
  • Operator conversion and line training
  • Licence issue and authority fees

DIFFICULTY ESTIMATE

Highest level

The ATPL(H) represents the highest level of helicopter pilot licensing. It requires advanced theory, professional experience, multi-pilot competence, command judgement and operational discipline.

5

out of 5 · Airline-focused

The difficulty is not only passing the tests, but accumulating the right kind of helicopter experience and command-level competence.

REGULATORY BASIS

Check the current rules before acting

Last reviewed: 8 July 2026

This page is based on EASA Easy Access Rules for Aircrew, including Part-FCL Subpart F for ATPL(H), FCL.505.H and FCL.510.H, plus the helicopter theoretical knowledge syllabus and type-rating rules in Subpart H. National authority procedures, operator requirements and training costs can vary.