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Fixed wing pilot logging helicopter time

Asked by: 2089 views FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Helicopter

Out of curiosity. Can a person who holds a airplane pilot certificate log time in a helicopter that is considered public use? For example, a police helicopter who uses a navigator that works the radios and such wouldnt be loggable if one is not rated correct?

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1 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Feb 27, 2019

    See 61.51(e). The only way that you can log PIC time while not being rated for the category/class would be if you are the sole occupant of the aircraft (and you would need a 61.31(d)(2) endorsement to allow that).

    Also see 61.51(j)(4). Not every flight qualifies as an official law enforcement flight, just because the helicopter might be owned by a police department. Official flights would be things like surveillance, pursuit, search & rescue. Flying the chief to a different town for a meeting is not a law enforcement purpose. This really comes into play with helicopters like OH-58 & UH-1 military surplus aircraft, which have no airworthiness certificate.

    They don’t usually refer to the other body as a navigator. They call him/her a TFO (Tactical Flight Officer).

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