Jetcatz Radio Trainer

✈️ Guide: BZF II, BZF I or AZF?

Which certificate is right for you depends on your flight intentions and your license:

• BZF II (National Visual Flight / VFR):
Sufficient if you only want to fly within Germany and the radio communication at the airfield is conducted in German. Perfect for hobby pilots planning strictly national trips.

• BZF I (International Visual Flight / VFR):
The "all-inclusive" certificate for visual flights (includes the privileges of BZF II). You absolutely need it as soon as you cross the border into a foreign country (e.g., the Alps, France, Mallorca) or have to communicate in English at controlled airfields.

⚠️ Warning: What about the BZF E?
The BZF E privileges you exclusively for English visual flights. Most German pilots do NOT need it!
In Germany: With a BZF E, you are legally not allowed to land at hundreds of small airfields where radio communication is mandatory in German! Therefore, as a beginner, always go straight for the BZF I to be allowed to fly in both German AND English.

• AZF (Instrument Flight / IFR):
The highest radiotelephony certificate. You need it as soon as you obtain an Instrument Rating (IR). Worldwide, IFR communication is conducted exclusively in English. Visual flight privileges (English) are automatically included here.

💡 Tip for foreign pilots:
Pilots who already hold an AZF or a foreign IFR certificate often quickly add the BZF II in Germany to obtain the German language proficiency required for small VFR airfields.

🌍 Important: What is the ICAO Language Proficiency?
The radio certificate (BZF I / AZF) is just the license to operate the radio. For flights abroad, you additionally need the **ICAO English endorsement** (Language Proficiency) in your pilot license.
Where do you get it? You take the test (Level 4, 5, or 6) with a licensed language examiner (often directly at your flight school or online). It takes about 30 minutes, consists of listening comprehension and a short interview, and is subsequently entered into your license by the aviation authority.

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