DOH
Doha
QCAA Hub
Back to AerovateOne licence.
QCAA · Licence Compatibility
One licence.
Train where Qatar.
Train under QCAA at our Doha hub — the launchpad for Qatar Airways' world-leading cadet pipeline — then convert into DGCA, FAA, EASA, CASA, GCAA or SACAA when you're ready.
Issued under
QCAR-FCL
Qatar Civil Aviation Authority · Qatar
Recognised across
ICAO Annex 1
Plus bilateral conversion partners
Issued to
Career-Track Cadets
PPL · CPL · ME-IR · ATPL
Foundations
Pump up your skills — supercharge exam-passing with foundational classes on every QCAA subject.
Air Law · Navigation · Meteorology · Tech-Gen · Performance · Human Factors · Comms · Instruments. Live, instructor-led foundations from Aerovate Global — bridge gaps, lock concepts, walk into your QCAA written with confidence.
Chapter I · The Selector
QCAA · ICAO Annex 1Select your destination CAA to see how your QCAA licence converts.
Pick the regulator where you intend to fly commercially. We'll show you exactly what's required to convert a QCAA CPL/IR into the licence issued by that authority — exams, flight test, medical, hour credit, timeline.
Destination regulator
Supporting 25+ destinations across DGCA, FAA, EASA, UK CAA, GCAA, CASA, SACAA & more.
Destination regulator
India
DGCA
From
QCAA
QCAR-FCL · Qatar
To
DGCA
India
Your QCAA licence converts cleanly into the DGCA system in India.
QCAA QCAR-FCL is recognised under ICAO Annex 1 and accepted by every major regulator with a defined conversion path. Below is the typical pathway from a QCAA CPL/ME/IR into the DGCA system.
Timeline
4–6 months
Hour credit
Full credit.
For pricing, please contact Aerovate Global.
Theory exams
DGCA CPL papers: Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulations, Technical General + Specific, RTR(A) — 6 exams.
Flight test
DGCA skill test + RTR(A).
Medical
DGCA Class 1.
Chapter II · The Network
QCAA hubs where we deliver pilot training across Qatar.
330 flying days a year, modern training fleets and direct cadet pipelines into the region's flagship carriers.
AKH
Al Khor
QCAA Hub
MES
Mesaieed
QCAA Hub
Interlude · Qatar
"Doha trains the next generation of Qatar Airways widebody pilots — under QCAA, in Qatari airspace."
330 flying days per year — efficient training airspace and a direct line into regional airline cadet programmes.
№ Field Notes · From the QCAA flight line
From the apron, the cockpit, the cloud deck.
Real frames from real cadets across our partner flight lines — the kind of training QCAA candidates do every week.
01 / 37
Apron · Dusk
Twin-tail at last light
Plate 01
№ 01 · Civil Aviation Authority
Qatar Civil Aviation Authority
QCAA — Qatar
www.caa.gov.qa QCAA regulates Qatar civil aviation. Premier conversion hub for Qatar Airways cadets.
Training standards
EASA-aligned · 13 ATPL theory + Qatar Air Law.
Plate № 01
Where QCAR-FCL meets the line.
№ 02 · Pathway
PPL → ATPL under QCAA
PPL — Private Pilot Licence
Flight hours
45 hrs
Theory
QCAA PPL papers
Medical
Class 2
CPL — Commercial Pilot Licence
Flight hours
200 hrs
Theory
13 ATPL theory (EASA-aligned)
Medical
Class 1
IR — Instrument Rating
Flight hours
50 hrs
Theory
Within 13 ATPL
Medical
Carried over
ME — Multi-Engine Rating
Flight hours
6 hrs ME
Theory
—
Medical
Carried over
ATPL — Airline Transport Pilot Licence
Flight hours
1500 hrs
Theory
13 ATPL + Qatar Air Law
Medical
Carried over
№ 03 · Fleet
Aircraft accepted by QCAA for training
Single-engine trainers
- Cessna 172
- Diamond DA40
Multi-engine trainers
- Diamond DA42
Approved simulators
- FNPT II MCC
- Level D
"Doha trains the next generation of Qatar Airways widebody pilots — under QCAA, in Qatari airspace."
— Captain M. Al-Thani · A350 Captain, Qatar Airways
№ 04 · Type rating
QCAA type rating requirements
Minimum entry
CPL + ME/IR + APS MCC
Pathway
Qatar Airways Training Academy.
Aircraft types accepted
A320A350B777B787
№ 05 · Admission
Eligibility & admission requirements
Age
18–28 for QR cadet · 18+ for self-funded
Education
10+2 with Maths & Physics
English
IELTS 6.5+ (QR cadet)
Medical
QCAA Class 1
Documents required
- Passport
- Education attested by MoFA
- Class 1 medical
- Aptitude test (PILAPT/COMPASS)
№ 06 · Visa
Visa process & requirements
Visa type
Destination-country student visa, then QCAA work visa post-conversion
Duration
Per destination
Work rights
—
Processing time
6–12 weeks
All visa documentation is processed end-to-end via Aerovate Global — appointment booking, embassy submissions, biometrics and approvals.
Key documents
- Destination school acceptance
- QCAA pre-approval (for sponsored route)
Plate № 02
Visas, medicals & paperwork — handled.
№ 08 · Compatibility
Where a QCAA licence converts most easily
These are the regulators that recognise QCAA training closest to their own standards — usually requiring only an air-law paper, a skill test and a medical re-issue. Click any destination to apply for training there.
India
DGCA
200 hrs CPL · 6 theory papers · RTR(A) · skill test with DGCA examiner.
United States
FAA
190–250 hrs CPL · written + oral + checkride per certificate.
Poland
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Europe (EASA)
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
United Arab Emirates
GCAA
200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL papers + UAE Air Law · 330 flying days/yr.
Greece
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
France
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Netherlands
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Spain
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Italy
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Switzerland
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
Norway
EASA
150–200 hrs CPL · 13 ATPL theory papers · skill test + APS MCC.
№ 07 · Licence conversion
Convert QCAA licence to DGCA · FAA · EASA · CASA · GCAA
Below is the typical conversion path from a QCAA licence into each major regulator. All routes assume an ICAO Annex 1-compliant CPL/IR, valid logbook, and a Class 1 medical from the destination state. Numbers are indicative — confirm with the receiving authority before booking exams.
→ EASA9–14 months
Theory exams
EASA ATPL theory — 13 papers (Air Law, AGK Airframe & Systems, AGK Powerplant, AGK Instruments, Mass & Balance, Performance, Flight Planning, Human Performance, Meteorology, Gen Nav, Radio Nav, Operational Procedures, Principles of Flight, Communications).
Flight test
ME-CPL/IR skill test.
Medical
Class 1 medical re-issued in destination state (~USD 250–400, 1 day).
Hours credit
Full credit.
→ FAA6–10 weeks
Theory exams
FAA written exams: Private (PAR), Commercial (CAX), Instrument (IRA) + IACRA application.
Flight test
FAA practical.
Medical
FAA Class 1.
Hours credit
Full credit.
→ GCAA6–10 weeks
Theory exams
GCAA CPL/IR licence verification + Air Law UAE paper, plus skills assessment at an AS-approved ATO.
Flight test
UAE ATO assessment.
Medical
GCAA Class 1.
Hours credit
Full credit.
→ DGCA4–6 months
Theory exams
DGCA CPL papers: Air Navigation, Aviation Meteorology, Air Regulations, Technical General + Specific, RTR(A) — 6 exams.
Flight test
DGCA skill test + RTR(A).
Medical
DGCA Class 1.
Hours credit
Full credit.
100% compliance promise
Aerovate's conversion advisors handle exam booking, document apostille, AME scheduling and skill-test prep end-to-end — guaranteed to meet the receiving regulator's Annex 1 standards.
№ 08 · FAQs
Frequently asked questions about Qatar
Is the Qatar Airways cadet programme free?+
Selected cadets receive full sponsorship including training, accommodation and a stipend, but bond for ~7 years post-graduation.
Can foreign nationals join Qatar Airways' cadet programme?+
Most years it's restricted to Qatari nationals; occasional intakes for select GCC nationals.
Chapter III · The Global Network
All supported regulators across our global network.
From Doha to the world — one team handles every conversion, every approval, every embassy stamp.
India
DGCA
South Africa
SACAA
United States
FAA
Poland
EASA
Europe (EASA)
EASA
Philippines
CAAP
Australia
CASA
United Arab Emirates
GCAA
Saudi Arabia
GACA
Qatar
QCAA
Kuwait
CAA-Kuwait
Oman
CAA-Oman
Bahrain
CAA-Bahrain
Singapore
CAAS
Malaysia
CAAM
Thailand
CAAT
Japan
JCAB
South Korea
MOLIT
Indonesia
DGCA-ID
Greece
EASA
France
EASA
Netherlands
EASA
Spain
EASA
Italy
EASA
Switzerland
EASA
Norway
EASA
Foundations · FAQ
Before you enrol.
The questions cadets ask before signing up for the Aerovate Global foundations programme — prerequisites, schedule, and how it lifts your QCAA pass-rate.