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Commercial / Instrument Helicopter to Private ASEL

Asked by: 2644 views Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations, Helicopter, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

Here's my situation:

  • I'm a prior military helicopter pilot and have a Commercial Certificate for Rotorcraft-Helicopter and Instrument Helicopter
  • I have an FAA flight physical

I want to work towards my Private Pilot ASEL and understand the written and flying requirements for what I can apply from before to this rating. What I don't understand is:

  • Do I need to apply for a student certificate even though I already have a commercial for a different category/class?
  • If not, is it just the endorsements in AC 61-65F in my logbook, specifically from Appendix 1, #70?
  • It's been almost 2 years since my last flight in helicopter, do I need to do anything else before I can solo? I read something about a flight review or if there are any requirements to keep my commercial certificate current? I may be way off on this one...
  • Is there anything else I'm not thinking of?

Thanks for the help!

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1 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Sep 17, 2016

    You do not need a student pilot certificate. You have a Commercial pilot certificate. The FAA would not issue you a student pilot certificate.

    You need an endorsement for 61.31 (d)(2) to act as PIC of an aircraft for which you are not rated. You will also need a current flight review in the helicopter to act as PIC in the airplane (I know it sounds ridiculous, but that’s the way it is).

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