EASA type rating revalidation: LPC, 10 sectors and expiry
Checked against the sources below on 29 October 2026. How these guides are written
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Under FCL.740(a)(1) an EASA type rating is valid for 1 year. To revalidate a multi-pilot type rating, FCL.740.A(a) needs a proficiency check or EBT practical assessment within the 3 months before expiry, plus 10 route sectors on the type during the validity period, or 1 route sector with an examiner. A CAT pilot whose operator proficiency check is combined with that check is exempt from the sectors. A lapsed rating needs an assessment, any refresher training found necessary, and a proficiency check.
- Validity
- 1 year (2 years for single-pilot single-engine class ratings), unless the OSD sets otherwise
- Restarts from the check date if you revalidate early
- FCL.740(a)(1)
- Proficiency check
- Appendix 9 check or Appendix 10 EBT practical assessment, in the type or an FSTD of it
- 3 months immediately before expiry
- FCL.740.A(a)(1)
- Route sectors
- 10 as pilot of the type, or 1 in the type or FFS flown with an examiner
- During the validity period
- FCL.740.A(a)(2)
- CAT sector exemption
- Operator proficiency check combined with the rating check
- Each revalidation
- FCL.740.A(a)(3)
- Failed check
- No privileges of the rating until a pass
- From the failed check
- FCL.740.A(c)
- Renewal after expiry
- Assessment at an ATO or approved EBT operator, refresher if needed, then a proficiency check
- Any time after expiry
- FCL.740(b)
- Operator proficiency check
- Separate operator check
- Valid 6 calendar months
- ORO.FC.230(b)(3)
How long an EASA type rating lasts
FCL.740(a)(1): "The validity period of class and type ratings shall be 1 year, except for single-pilot single-engine class ratings for which the validity period shall be 2 years, unless otherwise determined in the OSD. If pilots choose to fulfil the revalidation requirements earlier than prescribed in points FCL.740.A ... the new validity period shall commence from the date of the proficiency check."
FCL.740.A(a)(1) places the check "within the 3 months immediately preceding the expiry date of the rating". Read with FCL.740(a)(1), a check inside that window carries the rating forward from the old expiry date, and a check before the window restarts the year from the day of the check. For a rating expiring on 30 June, a check in April, May or June keeps the 30 June date.
FCL.740(a)(2) gives full credit for the proficiency check to a pilot who completes EBT practical assessment under Appendix 10 at an operator that has implemented EBT for the type. GM1 FCL.740.A explains that the assessment usually runs across the whole validity period, while the Appendix 10 form is completed within the 3 months before expiry.
The 10 route sectors
FCL.740.A(a)(2) asks you to "complete during the period of validity of the rating, at least: (i) 10 route sectors as pilot of the relevant class or type of aeroplane; or (ii) 1 route sector as pilot of the relevant class or type of aeroplane or FFS, flown with an examiner. This route sector may be flown during the proficiency check."
FCL.010 defines a route sector as "a flight comprising take-off, departure, cruise of not less than 15 minutes, arrival, approach and landing phases". The rule says "as pilot", so sectors flown as pilot monitoring count. FCL.060 recency is a different test: 3 takeoffs, approaches and landings as pilot flying in 90 days, covered in the separate FCL.060 guide.
FCL.740.A(a)(3) exempts "a pilot working for a commercial air transport operator ... who has passed the operators proficiency check combined with the proficiency check for the revalidation of the class or type rating". Most airline pilots revalidate this way, so the sector count matters most to pilots outside CAT or between operators.
LPC and OPC: the two checks airline pilots combine
Pilots call the Part-FCL check that revalidates the rating the licence proficiency check (LPC). The operator proficiency check (OPC) comes from Part-ORO: ORO.FC.230(b)(3) says "the validity period of the operator proficiency check shall be 6 calendar months". On that 6-month cycle, airlines typically combine one OPC a year with the LPC and run the other OPC on its own.
FCL.740.A(a)(4) lets you combine the revalidation of an IR(A) or BIR, if held, with the rating's proficiency check, so one simulator detail can revalidate the type rating and the IR together. The IR has its own 1-year validity under FCL.625.
What happens if your type rating expires
FCL.740.A(c): "Applicants who fail to achieve a pass in all sections of a proficiency check before the expiry date of a class or type rating shall not exercise the privileges of that rating until a pass in the proficiency check has been achieved." A failed section stops you flying the type even when the printed expiry date is still in the future.
Once the rating has expired, FCL.740(b) sets three steps: an assessment at an ATO or at an EBT operator specifically approved for refresher training, any refresher training the assessor finds necessary, then a proficiency check under Appendix 9 or EBT practical assessment under Appendix 10. AMC1 FCL.740(b) has the ATO weigh your experience, the time since you last used the rating and the complexity of the aircraft.
GM1 FCL.740(b) recommends that an AOC holder approved for renewals may provide the refresher training when the rating has lapsed by no more than 1 year and the pilot is in its EBT programme; beyond 1 year it points you to an ATO. FCL.740(b) also exempts you from the assessment and refresher steps if you hold a valid rating for the same type on an ICAO licence from a third country.
Mistakes pilots make
- Booking the check 4 months before expiry. Outside the 3-month window, FCL.740(a)(1) restarts the year from the check date and you lose the remaining weeks.
- Counting simulator sectors toward the 10. FCL.740.A(a)(2)(i) asks for sectors as pilot of the aeroplane; only the single sector with an examiner may be flown in an FFS.
- Mixing up the 10 sectors with FCL.060 recency. The sectors can be flown as pilot monitoring; FCL.060 needs 3 takeoffs, approaches and landings as pilot flying in 90 days.
- Flying the type after failing a section of the check because the rating has not yet reached its printed expiry date. FCL.740.A(c) stops the privileges until you pass.
- Assuming a stand-alone OPC revalidates the licence rating. The sector exemption in FCL.740.A(a)(3) applies when the OPC is combined with the rating's proficiency check.
What Off Chocks tracks
- Add the type rating in Credentials with its expiry date. With notifications on, your iPhone or iPad reminds you before it expires: 30 days by default for a rating or check, and you can change the lead time.
- Off Chocks does not count the 10 route sectors for you. Filter the Logbook to the aircraft type and the dates of your validity period; the filter shows how many flights match, and you leave out any simulator sessions.
- The Currency page counts FCL.060 recency (3 takeoffs and 3 landings in 90 days) for each type you fly; that is a separate rule from revalidation.
Common questions
- How many sectors do I need to revalidate an EASA type rating?
- 10 route sectors as pilot of the type during the rating's validity period, or 1 route sector with an examiner, which may be flown during the proficiency check (FCL.740.A(a)(2)). CAT pilots whose OPC is combined with the rating check are exempt (FCL.740.A(a)(3)).
- Can I revalidate my type rating early?
- Yes, but if the check is earlier than the 3 months before expiry, the new 1-year validity starts from the check date (FCL.740(a)(1)). Inside the 3-month window you keep your expiry date.
- Do sectors in the simulator count?
- Only the single route sector flown with an examiner may be in an FFS (FCL.740.A(a)(2)(ii)). The 10-sector option counts sectors as pilot of the aeroplane.
- What is the difference between an LPC and an OPC?
- The LPC is the Part-FCL proficiency check that revalidates the type rating once a year (FCL.740.A). The OPC is the operator's check under ORO.FC.230, valid for 6 calendar months. Airlines usually combine the two once a year.
- My type rating expired. Do I have to go to an ATO?
- FCL.740(b) needs an assessment at an ATO or at an EBT operator approved for refresher training, then any refresher training required and a proficiency check. GM1 FCL.740(b) recommends an ATO when the rating has lapsed by more than 1 year.
- Can I revalidate my IR in the same check?
- Yes. FCL.740.A(a)(4) allows the IR(A) or BIR revalidation to be combined with the class or type rating proficiency check.
Sources
- EASA Easy Access Rules for Aircrew, October 2026 revision: FCL.740 Validity and renewal of class and type ratings, with AMC1 and GM1 FCL.740(b)
- EASA Easy Access Rules for Aircrew, October 2026 revision: FCL.740.A Revalidation of class and type ratings, aeroplanes
- EASA Easy Access Rules for Aircrew, October 2026 revision: FCL.010 Definitions (route sector)
- EASA Easy Access Rules for Air Operations, Revision 24 (March 2026): ORO.FC.230 Recurrent training and checking
This is a plain-words summary to help you keep your own records, not legal advice. The regulation and your operator's procedures always take precedence.