⚠️ SEP(land) skill test is the basics ✈️
SEP(land) skill test is the flight with an EASA examiner. Successfully passed EASA SEP(land) skill test is the requirement for flying in single-engine piston aeroplanes as pilot-in-command. It is important to mention that all of the single-engine piston aeroplanes are constituting into the SEP(land) class rating. However the privileges of the holder are limited to the so-called variant on which the SEP(land) skill test has been taken in. The variant for purpose of SEP(Land) class rating is for example Cessna 152. Diamond DA20 is another variant of SEP(land) class rating.
Following qualifications are also constituted under the unified SEP(land) license endorsement:
- plain SEP(land) - e.g. Cessna 152
- SEP(land) with variable pitch propeller (e.g. Diamond DA-20 Katana)
- SEP(land) with retractable undercarriage (e.g. Cessna 172RG)
- SEP(land) with turbo or super charged engines (e.g. Zlin 142 with M337 engine)
- SEP(land) with cabin pressurization (e.g. Cessna P210)
- SEP(land) with tail wheels (e.g. Zlin Z-226)
- SEP(land) with EFIS (e.g. Diamond DA40 G1000)
- SEP(land) with Single lever power control (SPLC) - e.g. Diamond DA40 with Austro Engine AE300
EASA SEP(land) skill test in general
An EASA license skill test SEP(land) for initial obtain of the class rating for single-engine aeroplanes - SEP(land) is carried out after successful completion of the flight training provided by the EASA flight school. The SEP(land) skill test is very often combined with initial obtain of flight crew license - e.g. private pilot - PPL(A). You as a trainee has to be recommended for the SEP(land) skill test and also for the PPL(A) skill test by the flight school. Theoretical knowledge exam is done by an EASA examiner during the skill test.
EASA SEP(land) license skill test exam candidate shall have completed EASA flight training on the aeroplane of the same class as the one used for the license skill test. In our case it is the single-engine piston aeroplane - SEP(land) of the same variant (e.g., Diamond DA-20 or Cessna 152).
Scope of ✈️ SEP(land) skill test
EASA skill test SEP(land) for single engine class rating is subject to the paragraph FCL.725(c). The scope and details of the exercises to be covered during the flight training as well as the checkride with examiner are described in Appendix 9 of Part-FCL.
SEP(land) skill test exam candidate has to demonstrate ability to perform maneuvers, procedures on that particular variant of single engine piston aeroplane with competency appropriate to the privileges granted as an pilot in command (PIC) to the flight examiner - FE(A), or to the class rating examiner - CRE SEP(land).
The duration of EASA skill test SEP(land) is approximately 1 hour in total provided it is not combined with initial obtain of the flight crew license (e.g. PPL or CPL). The flight with the EASA flight examiner takes approximately 30 minutes up to 1 hour of the block time.
The SEP(land) skill test includes following items:
- general handling of the aeroplane (normal procedures)
- general handling of the aeroplane (abnormal and emergency procedures)
Pass criteria ✅ of EASA SEP(land) skill test
Conditions for pass of the SEP(land) skill test are the same as for any other EASA class rating skill test.
EASA SEP(land) skill test is split into different sections representing the different phases of flight at the appropriate category (aeroplanes) and specific class of the aeroplane - single engine piston - SEP(Land) of the aeroplane used for the skill test.
We are authorised to provide an EASA skill test for initial obtain of the single-engine piston class rating in various variants of SEP(land) class for example:
- Diamond DA-40 Star
- Piper PA-28
- Tecnam Sierra, Echo
- Cessna C152, C172
- and many other
EASA SEP(land) privileges
Class rating SEP(land) allows the holder to fly on the single-engine piston aeroplanes with wheeled landing gear with a maximum take-off weight of 5,700kg. The variants specifically constituted into SEP(Land) are explicitly listed in EASA classrating endorsment list.
Within the Europe the EASA SEP(land) class rating allows holder to fly as an pilot in command (PIC) on the following variants of the single-engine piston aeroplanes:
- Manufacturer ZLIN: Zlin 42, Zlin 142, Zlin 43, Zlin 143
- Manufacturer Diamond Aircraft Industries: Diamond DA-20, DA-40
- Manufacturer Piper: Piper PA-28
- Manufacturer Tecnam: Sierra, Echo
- Manufacturer Cessna: Cessna 152, Cessna 172
- and many more
Validity of SEP(land) class rating
Validity of the EASA single-engine piston SEP(land) class rating in accordance with FCL.740(a) is 24 months (2 years).
SEP(Land) Differences training
Single-engine piston class rating authorizes the holder to fly on the specific variant on which the skill test with EASA examiner has been successfully passed on.
Eventhoug SEP(land) classrating constitutes all variants of single-engine piston aeroplane, you are not allowed to fly on all of them instantly. If you for example passed your SEP(land) skill test on Diamond DA20, before you are allowed to fly on e.g. Cessna 172, you have to fullfil the legal requirement by attending so-called differences training. That is so-called Transition to another variant of the same class. Together with variant-related differences training, also additional specific qualifications such as tailwheel, variable-pitch propeller, turbocharged engine and retractable undercarriage are trained.
EASA differences training is required by FCL.710(b) and by EASA classrating endorsments list. Pilots shall complete differences training or familiarisation training in order to extend their privileges to another variant of aircraft within the SEP(land) class rating. In the case of variants within a class rating, the differences training or familiarisation training shall include the relevant elements defined in the OSD, if exists for particular variant.
The differences training shall be conducted either by:
- an EASA flight school
- an appropriately qualified instructor unless otherwise provided in the OSD.
Differences training vz familiarization training
Differences training requires the acquisition of additional knowledge and training on an appropriate training device or the single-engine aircraft. Familiarisation training requires the acquisition of additional knowledge delivered by either selfstudy, CBT or instructor.
➡️ Validity of differences training
Differences training is required anytime when transition to aircraft requried additional qualification is required. Whilst the familiarization training is required for the transition to the variants within similar qualification.
For example transitioning from Cessna 152 to Diamond DA40D G1000 equipped by Lycoming. This transition requires the differences training with additional qualification such as:
- variable pitch propeller
- EFIS (G1000)
- turbo-charged engine
- single power lever control
Transition from Diamond DA40D G1000 to Diamond DA20 requires familiarization training. Reason is that you are already a holder of class rating SEP(land) and additional qualification for flying variable pitch propeller. Neverthless operators may apply strict rules.
Differences training endorsement ✅
The differences training or the proficiency check in that variant shall be entered in the pilots’ logbook or equivalent record and signed by the instructor or EASA examiner as appropriate.