PICUS, PUS, ICUS… or Just Confused?
PICUS, ICUS, PUS — What They Actually Mean (And Why Everyone Is Confused)
There's a surprising amount of confusion in the industry around PICUS, ICUS, and PUS.
The reality? It's not that complicated — but the confusion comes from the fact that different regulators use slightly different terminology for the same underlying concept.
Let's break it down properly.
The Simple Truth
At its core, all of these terms describe the same idea:
A First Officer performing the duties of a Captain under supervision, in a structured and approved environment.
This concept exists because modern airline pilots can spend years in the right seat without logging traditional Pilot-in-Command (PIC) time — even when they are fully capable of operating at command level.
Regulators created supervised command time to bridge that gap.
What is PICUS?
PICUS (Pilot-in-Command Under Supervision) is the most widely recognized term, especially under EASA-style systems.
It allows a First Officer to:
- Act as Pilot Flying (PF)
- Perform command-level decision-making
- Operate as if they were the Captain
All while:
- The actual Captain retains legal responsibility
- And supervises the flight
Importantly, PICUS is:
- Structured
- Approved by the operator
- Certified by the Captain
It is not informal and cannot simply be self-declared.
What About ICUS and PUS?
You'll often hear:
- ICUS (In Command Under Supervision)
- PUS (Pilot Under Supervision)
These terms are commonly used in:
- Airline training environments
- Recruitment and conversion discussions
- Certain regulatory systems (notably Japan for PUS)
Here's the key point:
These terms describe the same type of experience, but they are not always legally interchangeable.
Different authorities:
- Define them slightly differently
- Cap them differently
- Accept them differently for licensing
Why This Exists
The traditional ATPL requirement includes significant Pilot-in-Command time.
But in modern airline operations:
- First Officers may spend thousands of hours in high-performance aircraft
- Without ever logging "true" PIC time
Supervised command time solves this by allowing:
- Real operational experience
- Real decision-making responsibility
- In a controlled, safe environment
How It Counts Toward an ATPL
While details vary, most ICAO-aligned systems follow a similar structure:
A total of 250 hours of command experience is required.
This can include:
- Actual PIC time
- Supervised command time (PICUS / ICUS / PUS)
However:
- Supervised time is usually capped
- A portion must still be actual PIC
In other words: You cannot become a Captain without ever acting as one for real.
How Different Regulators Handle It
EASA / UK CAA
- Uses PICUS
- Typically allows up to ~100 hours to count toward the 250-hour PIC requirement
- Must be part of an approved PICUS program
FAA (United States)
- Does not use PICUS terminology
- Instead allows SIC performing the duties of PIC
- Must be properly logged, certified, and often tied to structured training environments
Same concept, different language.
Japan (JCAB)
- Commonly referred to as PUS (Pilot Under Supervision)
- Often used in airline hiring requirements and license conversion pathways
- Typical frameworks include: 250 hours PIC, or 500 hours PUS, or a combination (with a minimum amount of real PIC)
Australia (CASA)
- Uses both PICUS (licensing) and Command Under Supervision (operations)
- Allows supervised command time toward ATPL experience requirements and command upgrade pathways
Transport Canada
- Uses PIC Under Supervision (PIC U/S)
- Typically allows up to 100 hours credit toward PIC requirements
- Must be conducted under an approved training program and properly certified
Hong Kong CAD
- One of the most detailed implementations
- To count supervised command time, you must perform full PIC duties including flight planning, fuel/load decisions, operational command decisions, and usually takeoff and landing
- The Captain must not need to overrule you
PIC vs PICUS vs SIC (Simplified)
| Type | Role | Responsibility | Logs as PIC? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PIC | Captain | Full legal command | Yes |
| PICUS / ICUS / PUS | FO under supervision | Performs command duties | Yes (within limits) |
| SIC | First Officer | Required crew member, active role | No |
The Biggest Misconception
A common myth is: "If I'm Pilot Flying and the Captain doesn't touch anything, I can log PICUS."
That is not correct.
For supervised command time to count:
- It must be part of an approved program
- The Captain must be acting as a designated supervisor
- The time must be documented and certified
Without that structure, it's just normal SIC time.
Final Takeaway
PICUS, ICUS, and PUS are not shortcuts. They are structured, regulated, and designed to reflect real command capability.
Across all systems, the philosophy is the same: You must demonstrate that you can operate as a Captain — before you are one.
Just remember:
- The terminology may change
- The limits may change
- The documentation requirements definitely change
But the underlying concept does not.
*Disclaimer: Supervised command time rules vary by authority (EASA, FAA, JCAB, CASA, Transport Canada, Hong Kong CAD, etc.) and by operator. Always confirm with your licensing authority and company before relying on any PI