Military helicopter to PPSEL

rframe

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I'm sleepy and honestly, it's been quite a while since I've looked at these sorts of scenarios, so can someone verify I have it right...

I have a military helicopter pilot who wants to get his Private Pilot SEL.

Now, assuming he's actually converted his military rating to an FAA commercial rotorcraft certificate, then the actual training we must accomplish in a SEL airplane is 3 hours cross country, 3 hours night, 3 hours instrument, and 3 hours of preparation (none of which is exclusive and could be combined), and then his required 10 hours of solo practice.

* Now I'm not talking about proficiency, just legal requirements

Am I correct?





FYI, here's the breakdown as I read it:

Adding a Private Pilot SEL is a new "category", therefore aeronautical experience requirements apply (61.63(b)).

So, for Private Pilot:

§ 61.109 Aeronautical experience.
(a) For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation
listed in § 61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least—
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane;
(2) Except as provided in § 61.110 of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes—
(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and​
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a​
flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.​
(3) 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight;
(4) 3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test in a single-engine airplane, which must have been performed within 60 days preceding the date of the test; and
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least—
(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;​
(ii) One solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum of three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-​
line distance of at least 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and​
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.​
 
I think Blackhawk may disagree with this, but this part: "at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation
listed in § 61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least..."

Means they need 20 hours with an instructor (which can include the 3, 3, 3, and 3 you mentioned.) It references 61.107 which says they must accomplish the training "that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought."

Which to me means 20 in training and 10 solo equals 30 as the minimum.
 
I think Blackhawk may disagree with this, but this part: "at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation
listed in § 61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least..."

Means they need 20 hours with an instructor (which can include the 3, 3, 3, and 3 you mentioned.) It references 61.107 which says they must accomplish the training "that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought."

Which to me means 20 in training and 10 solo equals 30 as the minimum.

OK, that's how I first read it, and then I talked myself out of it.... I think you're right. Thanks.
 
Well, I do think someone on JC had an argument against that years ago, but I don't remember what it was. I will tell you that when I did it, 30 hours was more than enough for me to gain enough proficiency for the practical. I soloed in something like 4 hours.

Bear in mind, if your guy has always been 100% military, he'll know a lot about general aviation knowledge (airspace, radios, navigation, etc), but very little about the FARs, some stuff about the AIM, and nothing about piston aircraft. Back in the day I didn't know what a "carb" was or why I was applying carb heat until I finally told my instructor I had no clue what it was doing for me. She responded with "you don't have carb heat on your helicopter?" Long story short - take a little time figuring out what your student knows and doesn't know.
 
There is a mixed school of thought about the "20hrs training" . I know when I added my SEL on I had exactly 30hrs SEL (20 dual, 10 solo) The DPE you are going to use would be a good person to run it by to see what they want.
 
Also, the endorsements you give will be different. The "solo" time, you will give an endorsement to act as PIC ASEL, and no student pilot certificate necessary.
 
She responded with "you don't have carb heat on your helicopter?" Long story short - take a little time figuring out what your student knows and doesn't know.

Lol..........sounds like she had a real good grasp on the function behind having carb heat.......
 
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