Middle East ATPL Renewal Guide (2025): Avoid Surprises with Logbook Prep
- Wingman Log
- Jul 29
- 3 min read
Updated for UAE GCAA, Saudi GACA & Oman CAA Pilots
What is an ATPL Renewal and Why Is It Crucial?
An ATPL (Airline Transport Pilot License)Â is the highest level of pilot certification, allowing pilots to command commercial multi-crew aircraft. While getting it is tough, renewing your ATPLÂ can be unexpectedly challenging - especially across strict jurisdictions like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.
A successful renewal depends on:
Maintaining accurate and complete flight logbooks
Meeting medical and simulator recency requirements
Submitting records aligned with regulatory standards
Delays and denials are common when pilots fail to prepare their logbook properly or miss key documentation.
ATPL Renewal: Country-Specific Requirements (GCAA, GACA, Oman CAA)
Here’s what each aviation authority expects:
🇦🇪 UAE – General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA)
Under CAR-FCL Subpart G, ATPL renewal in the UAE requires:
Valid Class 1 Medical Certificate under CAR Part II
All the details to get your Class 1 Renewal under GCAA medical examiners is right here. Check it out !
Recent Proficiency Check (LPC/OPC)
Minimum 150 hours in the previous 12 months
A properly maintained logbook, with breakdowns for:
PIC, Co-pilot, Dual, SIM time
Instrument, Night, Cross-country time
Simulator device type and approval
Pro Tip: GCAA prefers digital logbooks that allow instant filtering and PDF exports for audits.
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia – General Authority of Civil Aviation (GACA)
Renewals follow GACAR Part 61Â and Part 67.
Key Requirements:
A valid GACA Class 1 Medical Certificate All the details to get your Class 1 Renewal under GACA medical examiners is right here. Check it out !
A recent Proficiency Check on the aircraft type
Minimum 3 takeoffs and landings in the last 90 days
Logbook showing:
Total, PIC, SIC, Night, Instrument time
Simulator hours with device approval
Accurate aircraft type codes and registration numbers
GACA examiners frequently request logbook audits during renewal interviews - errors may cause delays.
🇴🇲 Oman – Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)
ATPL renewals under Oman CAA follow Part-FCL guidelines derived from ICAO Annex 1.
Requirements Include:
Valid Oman Class 1 Medical Certificate
Completed Operator Proficiency Check (OPC)
Proof of:
3 takeoffs and landings in 90 days
IFR and simulator currency
Signed, accurate logbook with aircraft types
Common Pitfalls in Logbook Submissions
Many pilots get caught off guard during ATPL renewals because of:
Missing time breakdowns: IFR, night, simulator
Incorrect aircraft codes or simulator types
Inconsistent time totals across years
Non-compliant formats (e.g., Excel sheets with no signature)
No backup of old flight records
How Wingman Pilot Logbook Solves This for Middle East Pilots
Wingman Pilot Logbook is tailored for Middle East airline pilots using systems like eCrew, NavBlue RAIDO, CAE Crew Access, ARMS, CESAR, Sabre, and more.
With Wingman Pilot Logbook, you can:
Auto-import flights from airline rosters
Track PIC, SIC, IFR, Night, and SIMÂ time
Export PDF logbooks compliant with GCAA, GACA, and Oman CAA
Filter by date, aircraft type, recency, and simulator
Maintain cloud backups for 24/7 access during renewals
"When GCAA asked for my last 12 months of logs, Wingman PIlot Logbook gave it in one click." - A320 First Officer, UAE
ATPL Renewal Checklist (For GCAA, GACA, and Oman CAA)
Medicals & Proficiency
Valid Class 1 Medical
Completed Proficiency Check (LPC/OPC)
Recent flight experience (as required per country)
Logbook Readiness
Clean breakdown of:
PIC, SIC, Dual, IFR, Night, Simulator
Aircraft type codes and SIM approval devices
Digitally exportable format (PDF preferred)
Airline signature or endorsement (if needed)
When Should You Start Preparing?
Begin your logbook review 2–3 months before renewal:
Fix any time inconsistencies
Reconcile missing simulator sessions
Create regulator-specific filtered logbook PDFs
Ensure all medical and training records are current
Local Portals to Know
Country | Authority Portal | Notes |
UAE | For license renewal, medical, and ratings | |
Saudi | Proficiency & certificate uploads | |
Oman | Document submission & medical booking |
Final Thoughts: Don't Let Paperwork Ground You
Renewing your ATPL in the Middle East isn’t hard , if you start early and keep your logbook clean. GCAA, GACA, and Oman CAA are strict, but they also value precision and digital readiness.
Make your logbook work for you, not against you. Whether you're flying 777s from Jeddah or A320s over Muscat, smart prep ensures you’ll never be grounded by bureaucracy.
Ready for Renewal?
With Wingman Pilot Logbook, your next renewal will be faster, cleaner, and audit-proof.