Taking the 'CAT' and 'I' Ratings

Ready to take a CAT, I or SKY Rating? Here’s what to do:

  • File a flight plan including the option in Block 13 to flag this as a rating attempt (Note: maximum of 2 rating attempts per day per pilot)
  • Locate your aircraft at the prescribed location
  • Connect to PilotEdge when ATC is available (exception: CAT-1, which can be flown 24/7 as it does not require ATC interaction).
  • Advise the controller that you wish to take the CAT-xx or I-xx test (exception: the CAT-1 doesn’t involve any ATC communication, see how to claim the rating on the CAT-1 page specifically)
  • Complete the flight as described in the rating. This includes but is not limited to filing the exact route as indicated on the rating page, including appropriate altitude, as well as flying the prescribed SID/STAR/Approach and any other instruction given on the rating page.
  • Once the controller advises that he/she can administer your test, you should complete the flight as you would any other, making ALL necessary radio calls.
  • The controller will issue a passing or non-passing grade by the end of the flight, if not before. (Again, except CAT-1).
  • Passing grades will be posted immediately on the roster.
  • Do not disconnect from the network until you see the result posted on the home page or roster. If the result has not been posted within 60 seconds of the controller issuing the passing grade, prompt the controller regarding the result. If you disconnect from the network, it is not possible for the controller to enter a passing grade after you have logged off.
  • Pilot ratings are an individual effort. Pilot’s cannot receive instruction, fly shared cockpit, or fly in group flights to complete the ratings. If you have a commercial account please E-mail ops@pilotedge.net if you plan to conduct the ratings with your students.
  • Although we have provided sample transcripts on each of the ratings pages, do not assume or expect the radio conversation will follow the script exactly. ATC radio communications are very dynamic so there will likely be differences between what’s in the script and what you will experience.

Note: Do NOT make any references to the test as a proxy for normal radio calls. For example, do not call ground with “ready to taxi for the CAT-6.” Also, do not assume that the controller is aware of your intention to receive flight following, or somehow knows your direction of flight simply because you are undertaking the rating. If you treat the Air Traffic Controller and the examiner as two different people (even if they are actually the same person in reality), that should clarify the issue and remind you that ATC needs to know your intentions, just like any other flight.

Good luck and enjoy the program!