New Pilots

With the occasional exception of highly experienced veteran pilots who have been flying since before the IHPA implemented the FAI/CIVL Pilot Ratings Scheme, all pilots must develop their skills and knowledge through a licenced school before applying to the Training & Flight Safety Officer for a new Pilot Rating.

A fully detailed Training Syllabus can be found in the IHPA Technical Manual. Student Pilots must have a fully signed-off Student's Training Record & Log Book and have completed the appropriate written exam before applying for a rating. Students and Pilots may wish to read through the Exam Study Guides before sitting their exams, which may be found in the IHPA Technical Manual.

Veteran Pilots

Pilots who have been flying since before the IHPA implemented the FAI/CIVL Pilot Ratings Scheme may apply to the Training & Flight Safety Officer for a Pilot Rating without the need to have completed a training course in a licenced school on condition that they can provide logged evidence of their flying experience and can pass the written theory exam paper. Such cases will be dealt with on a case by case basis. The IHPA reserves the right to refuse to grant a Pilot Rating through this Grandfather scheme and may require the pilot to take part in a structured re-training programme or to perform a practical skills review at a licenced school before a rating is awarded. Veteran pilots may wish to read through the Exam Study Guides before sitting their exams, which may be found in the IHPA Technical Manual.