Do I Qualify for the Commercial Check Ride?

Understanding how time logged meets requirements.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, November 20, 2024 at 12:13 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: tccjeremy

For the commercial certificate the emphasis is on mastery of the aircraft. [Courtesy: Garmin]

Key Takeaways:

Carefully review FAR 61.129 and your logbook for commercial certificate requirements, specifically noting that dual instruction in the C172RG before a complex endorsement cannot be logged as Pilot-In-Command (PIC).
The 10 hours of advanced aircraft experience (complex, turbine, or Technically Advanced Aircraft) required by 61.129(a)(3)(ii) can be met through "any combination thereof," allowing flexibility in using time from both the C172RG and the TAA C172.
Ensure the G1000 C172 fully meets the FAA's definition of a Technically Advanced Aircraft (TAA), including a functioning two-axis autopilot, and properly log any instrument time used towards commercial requirements per both 61.129 and 61.65.
Beyond meeting flight hour minimums, the commercial check ride emphasizes mastery of aircraft systems and flying to tighter tolerances as outlined in the Airman Certification Standards (ACS).

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Question: I am preparing for my commercial pilot check ride. I’m training under Part 61 and just reached the 250 total time requirement, of which seven hours was dual instruction in the steam-gauge Cessna 172RG for the required complex endorsement. Then I had to move into a G1000-equipped Cessna 172, a technically advanced aircraft (TAA) but not complex with retractable gear, because the RG went in for maintenance.

My CFI says I will need to log 10 hours of instrument time in the TAA C172 before they will sign me off for the check ride because I won’t meet the experience requirements if I don’t.

Doesn’t the experience in the Cessna 172RG meet the experience requirements for the commercial certificate?

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

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Answer: This is a complicated question with a complicated answer. I recommend you pull out FAR 61.129, which is the experience requirements for the commercial certificate and cross-reference it to what is in your logbook.