Commercial Pilot Time Requirements

N

nycronnie23

Well-Known Member
I am time building right now towards my commercial license and trying to do some background research before I commit to flying to actually see how many hours time building I need. (NOTE 4)

For a Single Engine Airplane Rating:
Total Time: 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
A. 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
B. 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, that includes at least--
1. 50 hours in airplanes; and
2. 50 hours in cross-country flying of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.
C. Dual: 20 hours of flight training on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation that includes at least--
1. 10 hours of instrument training of which at least 5 hours must be in a single engine airplane; (See Note 4)
2. 10 hours of training in a complex airplane or a turbine powered airplane;
3. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a single engine airplane in day VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 100 nm. from the departure point;
4. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a single engine airplane in night VFR conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 100 nm. from the departure point;
5. 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test.
D. Solo: 10 hours of solo flight in a single engine airplane on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation, that
includes— (see Note 2)
1. One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nm. with landings with a min of 3 points, one of which is a straight line distance of more than 250 nm.; and
2. 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings at a controlled airport.


NOTE 4: Applicants for a commercial pilot certificate with the airplane single engine, airplane multiengine, helicopter, gyroplane, or powered-lift ratings and who already holds an instrument rating that is appropriate to the category and class rating sought are not required to accomplish an additional “. . . 10 hours of instrument training . . .” as stated in § 61.129(a)(3)(i); § 61.129(b)(3)(i); § 61.129(c)(3)(i); § 61.129(d)(3)(i); and § 61.129(e)(3)(i). However, the required commercial pilot training hour requirements [i.e., ". . . on the areas of operation listed in § 61.127 . . ."] of 20 hours in § 61.129(a)(3), (b)(3), (c)(3), (d)(3), and (e)(3) cannot be reduced to 10 hours.

So since I recently got my instrument rating, I don't need 10 hours instrument training but do I still need 20 hours of instruction? or can it just be 10?

Thanks for your help and responses
 
This one has been tricky the past few years, with the FAA confusing the issue, trying to clarify it, and really making it even more confusing.

You need 20 hours of specific training toward your Commercial, no matter what.

If your CFII had logged your instrument training such that it indicated it was also Commercial training, then it counts toward your 20.

If it wasn't specifically logged that way, but you do have an instrument rating, the new clarification (note 4) says that you do NOT need to do an additional 10 hours of instrument training but you still need 20 hours total of Commercial training.

So, do not assume you only need 10 hours of training just because you hold an instrument rating.

Clear as mud?
 
smh i shoulda just become a lawyer reading through these regulations and trying to understand lol & to be clear although I don't need 10 hours of instrument training I STILL NEED 20 hours? thanks
 
Just get your CFII to be sure to update at least 10 hours of your instrument training records to validate that the training you received did qualify under the areas of operation of 61.127(b)(1) and then the issue is settled. He/she may have just "forgotten" to make that explicit note originally...
 
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