Commercial Multi-Engine?

S

streamlineair

New Member
If a private pilot (with no multi-engine experience) has logged over 250 hours of flight time in a single engine airplane and wants to get a Commercial Certificate in a Multi-Engine airplane, how many hours of multi-engine time are required?

It's a little confusing looking at Part 61:

61.129(b)(3) requires 20 hours of training

and

61.129(b)(4) requires 10 hours solo in a multiengine airplane or 10 hours performing the duties of PIC (not the same as PIC)


So the question becomes: Do all 20 hours of training required by 61.129(b)(3) have to be in a multi-engine airplane?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.
 
First, welcome to the forums. :hiya:

Second, have you thought of getting the Commercial in a single engine, then doing the multi add-on? Without looking in to it, I am unsure whether all the hours need to be in a multi. But I doubt they do. You do, however need to become proficient in all the maneuvers in the PTS. Which could take some time. What I do know is that if you are already commercial single engine rated, the multi checkride is quick and easy. By going this route, the checkride consists of basic maneuvers; slow flight, stalls, steep turns, etc. At the end, you are also a single and multi commercial pilot.

Hopefully this helps you some.
 
In short yes 20 hours,
Category and multi engine class-to have a multi engine commercial certificate, you will need 20 hours. 61.129(b)
It should take right at 20 hours. If you take the multi first you will not have to take your single engine airplane in a complex aircraft.
 
You're reading it right - you need at least 20 hours of training, of those at least 10 have to be in a multiengine aircraft. Now, according to the DE that I took my checkride with, you cannot be 'performing the duties of a PIC' and getting instruction simultaneously - and since you need at least 10 of each, you do need at least 20 hours of time in a ME airplane. If you really want to do the ME commercial first and intend to get your MEI later, I would advice that you get your private ME first - that will allow you to log all the training for the commecrial ME as PIC, which will get you the necessary 15 hours of ME PIC for your MEI.
 
Concur. Which is why in our career program we go Private Multi Add-on, then Multi Comm, then Single Add-on (which can now be done in a non-complex aircraft), then CFI, CFII, MEI.

The FAA is somewhat vague on what is considered "performing the duties of PIC" but essentially the line is there because they realize that few insurance policies will give you the 10 hours of solo time in a twin. The current interpretation is that you cannot be receiving instruction while performing the duties of PIC, so those hours basically need to be you flying the plane while your MEI babysits.

In all practicality, it will be 20 hours (or more) if you decide to go this route.
 
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