How many hours of training should i expect for the CSEL?

Pachong

Pachong

Well-Known Member
Hey guys, I'm at the 185 TT mark, and was wondering how i should go about getting training for my commercial certificate. Should i go up with a CFI soon and learn the commercial maneuvers and practice them while i build time solo? Also, I'd like to know how many hours of training i should expect in order to be ready for the checkride. Should I start hardcore training around 220 TT? Thats what i've been kind of thinking...but anyway, i'm all ears. Thanks guys.
 
It would not hurt for you to go up at this point and start going over some of the maneuvers with a CFI. That way you can work on them on your own. Also start taking care of your solo requirements if you have not done so. If you see a possible use of a complex airplane go ahead and do that now. If not wait until you are closer to the 250 hour mark so the information on the airplane is fresh.
 
Great. That's what i wanted to hear. Honestly, I'm just getting bored building time and would love to learn some new maneuvers. Thanks for the reply, blackhawk.
 
If you're getting bored with the "same old time building", there are plenty of things you can do to challenge yourself and grow as a pilot: tail wheel endorsement, glider add-on, unusual attitude recovery, or start training for your CFI ticket by learning to fly from the right seat (assuming you're headed in that direction). You can take your CPL test from the right seat if you want, so why not learn to fly from that side now and give yourself plenty of time to get good at it.

I talked to one guy who did all of the above plus aerobatics while he was building time toward his CPL.
 
You'll also have to a dual day and night cross country so you could get that out of the way. I do agree with blackhawk, do some training now and learn the maneuvers then go practice for a while on your own. But I didn't start training for my commercial until I was around 235-240 TT.
 
Great idea. I really should get the hang of the right seat. Just sitting there not doing anything even makes me uncomfortable haha. Thanks guys.
 
As others have said I would learn the maneuvers now so you can practice them on your own in the meantime. Then I would plan on ten hours of complex time leading up to the checkride. Thats seems to be about the normal around here.
 
Pachong said:
But really, not even an estimate? Less than PPL and IR right?
Click to expand...

When I was a young (and foolish) CFI, I used to estimate the number of hours people would need to get a rating, checkout, etc. With some more experience I realized that my estimates were always wrong, and I couldn't even make a guess until I flew with someone a few times. Talk to your CFI and the two of you develop a plan that suits your needs.
 
Welp, just to answer my own question. The grand total came to 18 hrs. (with fulfilling all the x-country/night/instrument stuff in a twin)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top