Business & GA

Qualifications for a pilot seeking to command a VLJ solo would be at least a private pilot's licence with a high-performance aeroplane (HPA) certificate. EASA says that "a new approach to general aviation training systems is required - at least to commercial pilot standards".

On top of that, the JAA Joint Operations Evaluation Board's currently proposed requirements for type rating include the following training, as a minimum, to be carried out by an approved type rating training or flying training organisation:

• 16h flying the aircraft, plus 4h line-oriented operations training for "low experience pilots" or
• 32h in a type full flight simulator (16h flying/16h not flying).

The precise regulations are still being formulated, says EASA, as are the rules that will cover training for the multi-crew operation of VLJs.