Register

Do I Qualify for the Commercial Check Ride?

Understanding how time logged meets requirements.

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

Key Takeaways:

  • Commercial pilot candidates must meticulously cross-reference their logbook hours with FAR 61.129, especially regarding Pilot-In-Command (PIC) time, noting that initial dual instruction in a complex aircraft before endorsement does not count as PIC.
  • The 10-hour training requirement in a complex airplane, turbine-powered airplane, or technically advanced aircraft (TAA) can be met by "any combination thereof," meaning hours from different eligible aircraft types can be combined.
  • If using instrument time to meet commercial requirements, ensure it fulfills the training mandates for both the instrument rating and the commercial certificate, and confirm the TAA used meets the specific equipment definition (e.g., two-axis autopilot).
  • The commercial pilot check ride emphasizes comprehensive aircraft system mastery and the ability to fly to tighter performance tolerances than for private certification.
See a mistake? Contact us.

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

If you're not already a subscriber, what are you waiting for? Subscribe today to get the issue as soon as it is released in either Print or Digital formats.

Subscribe Now

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.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.

Ready to Sell Your Aircraft?

List your airplane on AircraftForSale.com and reach qualified buyers.

List Your Aircraft
AircraftForSale Logo | FLYING Logo
Pilot in aircraft
Sign-up for newsletters & special offers!

Get the latest stories & special offers delivered directly to your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE