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Private pilot WSC to private pilot SEL

Asked by: 2809 views FAA Regulations, Private Pilot

I have 600 hours in Weight Shift Control and have a Private Pilot certificate for WSC. I now want to get a Private Pilot certificate in single engine land. I do not want to waste money and do more than I have to do. I have heard differing opinions on what is required; everything from it's just a checkride to 40 hours of flying etc. What will I have to do?

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1 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Sep 02, 2015

    Not sure why the different views on this – it’s in 61.63(b). This is an additional category, so you must meet the applicable aeronautical experience for that category, get an endorsement, and pass the practical test. You do not need to take another written test, however.

    Those aeronautical experience requirements are the same found in 61.109(a). However, read this carefully. NOT all the requirements have to be in a single-engine airplane, or even in an airplane at all.

    For example, 3 hours XC has to be in a single engine airplane, however the 40 hours does NOT have to be in an airplane, it can be in any category of aircraft. You already have 600 hours WSC, so you meet this one part of the requirements.

    You will, however, have all the solo requirements to meet and some dual instruction requirements.

    Your situation, though it seems unusual due to the WSC certificate you already hold, is no different from the more common helicopter-to-SEL or glider-to-SEL transitions. They have the same requirements as you do. So if you’re searching the internet for information on this, try those types of terms as well.

    Good luck and have fun!

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