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4 Answers

Commercial ME and Private SE?

Asked by: 2117 views Commercial Pilot, Private Pilot

I am a military aviator coming off a flying tour and I want to keep flying with the local flying club. I have commercial multi engine land, helicopter, and instrument for both.

I DO NOT have a single engine endorsement for my license (I flew T-37s in flight school then went straight to helicopters) which I would need to fly the club’s 172s and pipers. My question is do I need to perform the experience requirements layed out in 14 CFR 61.129 (commercial SE) or can I go with the 14 CFR 61.109 (private SE) requirements to get my SE endorsement?

Basically can I hold a commercial ME and private SE at the same time?

Is there anything I’m not thinking of? I’ve reviewed the Airmen’s Certification Standards on this topic and I should be good to go there.

Thanks!

 

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4 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Nov 07, 2018

    To answer the generic question first, if you passed a Private Pilot-SEL checkride you would have Commercial-Multi and Private-Single on the same certificate (it would be worded as a Commercial Multi, but with Single-engine privileges at the Private level only). I have a friend who has this, it’s reasonably common.

    But you don’t need to do that. Since you already have a Commercial Multi, you do not follow 61.129 OR 61.129. You follow 61.63, paragraph c, which states that you don’t have to meet any of the time and experience requirements for the Commercial Single, you just train to proficiency on the ACS items, get signed off and take the checkride.

    This is exactly the same as many civilian pilots getting the Commercial Single then adding on the Commercial Multi – you just train for however long it takes to get ready for the checkride.

    A local flight school should be able to handle this really easily.

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  2. ARF on Nov 08, 2018

    I really appreciate the answer and thanks for responding!

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  3. Mitchell L Williams on Nov 08, 2018

    Yes,You can fly at the private level for single engine and commercial for ME.

    If you want to add ASEL to commercial level and Since your already have a commercial ME airplane, you do not need to meet any additional experience requirements of 109 or 129; Just prepare for the checkride.
    The single engine add-on commercial checkride should be easier also. The oral should not include many Commercial questions because you have already done those with your ME.
    Oral should include systems questions about the airplane you are going to fly, any items particular to single engine such as a constant speed propeller fails to fine pitch while on a multi it fails to course pitch/feathered.
    The flight portion should not include any cross country or general commercial requirements. Just ASEL maneuvers, an instrument approach for ASEL instrument privileges.
    You will need a A.1 and A.74 endorsement from AC-61-65H.

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  4. Montea6b on Nov 13, 2018

    Hello, I am in a similar situation – I have an ATP license with MEL, and I am trying to get Commercial SEL. Depending on how much light GA time you already have (and how current it is) you may save yourself some money going the Part 61 PPL route.

    However, if you are eligible for the Post 9-11 GI Bill you may want to consider going for SEL Commercial instead at a VA approved Part 141 flight school. (They will not pay for a PPL, but anything above that they will) I am still waiting on my certificate of eligibility, but they have confirmed that I am eligible for 100% of the costs to get it.

    Message me if you want any more info.

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