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:

Pilots must meticulously review FAR 61.129, especially concerning Pilot-In-Command (PIC) time, noting that dual instruction logged before a complex endorsement cannot be counted as PIC.
The 10 hours of required training can be a "combination thereof" of complex, turbine-powered, or technically advanced aircraft (TAA) experience, meaning prior complex aircraft time counts towards this total.
If an instrument rating is used to meet commercial requirements, ensure 10 hours of instrument training are properly logged to satisfy both commercial (61.129) and instrument rating (61.65) regulations.
Verify that any "technically advanced aircraft" (TAA) used for training meets the specific FAA definition, including an electronic PFD, MFD with moving map, and an integrated two-axis autopilot.

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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.