EASA specifies common standards for the licensing of aircraft pilots.
Flight Crew Licensing is regulated by the document EU Part-FCL.
Separate licences are issued for aeroplanes, helicopters, sailplanes and balloons.
The competency-based instrument rating is obtained with a reduced training course, but it cannot be used on high-performance aircraft.
Holders of a foreign CPL must take a theory course before sitting the theoretical exams.
Holders of a foreign ATPL are exempt from the requirement to take a theory course before sitting the theoretical exams.