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61.129 – another question

Asked by: 1762 views , , , ,
Commercial Pilot, FAA Regulations

There was a question recently about a commercial helicopter pilot wanting to fly airplanes. This is a new category for him, so the aeronautical experience requirements of 61.129 apply. I want to go from Glider Commercial to AMEL Commercial. 61.129 applies to me as well.

One paragraph requires 10 hours solo or 10 hours "performing the duties of pilot in command."

I know it's 10 of one or 10 of the other, no mix and match. I know for someone not rated in AMEL "performing the duties of pilot in command" is neither PIC nor dual. If logged as dual it does not count as "performing..."

So, to my own situation. I am AMEL rated as a Private Pilot. If I fly with an instructor I can log it as PIC. Also being dual doesn't make it "not PIC" for logging in general. But what about this particular situation?

I'd like to be smarter when I meet with someone to sort out what's left to complete ME Commercial.

Thanks!

Terry

 

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3 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Aug 23, 2019

    I’d log it as PIC (because you are rated) and as “Performing duties as PIC”, with the instructor’s signature but no Dual Received.

    It’s a little weird, but that seems to be the solution to me.

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  2. Kris Kortokrax on Aug 23, 2019

    You’ll be adding a category rating to your existing Commercial certificate.

    61.63(b) applies.

    Simply put, you need to take the Commercial knowledge test because your present Commercial does not include any of the ratings listed in 61.63(b)(4).

    You will need to meet the aeronautical experience requirements of 61.129(b) per 61.63(b)(1).

    Since you are rated at the Private level, you will likely have logged enough time to meet 61.129(b)(1) and (b)(2).

    You did not mention if you have an instrument rating. That would affect 61.129(b)(3)(i).
    If you only have Private AMEL (no ASEL), then you likely have enough complex time to satisfy 61.129(b)(3)(ii).

    That leaves 61.129(b)(3)(iii), (iv) & (v). I leave it to you to determine if you have the cross country flights. The 3 hours in preparation for the test would need to be done.

    You could certainly accomplish 61.129(4) requirements performing duties with an instructor on board (you probably would have trouble renting a multi for solo flight).

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  3. LTCTerry on Aug 29, 2019

    Thanks for the advice/info above.

    I meet with the MEI last night after texting and emails over the previous several days.

    As a ME-rated private pilot I may rent the Seminole solo. I’ll get a checkout in the airplane then do the ten solo hours truly solo – though legitimately logged as PIC with an applicable remark that it’s for 61.129 purposes.

    The checkout will have a focus on checkride prep.

    I have no actual ME solo, so I think that will be valuable experience.

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