Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

2 Answers

CSEL add on

Asked by: 2197 views , , , , ,
Commercial Pilot, Helicopter

Hi, I have a CPL(H) with IR and am looking to get a commercial fixed-wing add-on. I have no hours on the fixed wing. 
Based on 61.129(a)(i), I require 50 hours PIC. 
Of which, 10 can be obtained through 14 CFR 61.129(a)(4).
Does this mean that I would need an additional 40 hours of solo in order to qualify?

The other option I considered is doing under part141 which requires a total of 55 hours of which 20 is dual and 35 is solo. 

I'm looking for the most practical way to go about it. I'm self-studying and plan to take the written test once I'm ready.
Please advise if this is correct.



Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Dauntless Aviation's GroundSchool series of apps are the smart pilot's choice for fast and effective FAA knowledge test prep.
Actual, up-to-date FAA questions Polished user experience
Best explanations in the business Free lifetime updates!
Private Pilot IFR Commercial Pilot CFI ATP Sport Pilot Sport Pilot Instructor Parachute Rigger Aviation Mechanic (A&P)
You can get the app now and be studying right away. Available for PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android.

2 Answers



  1. Jeff Baum on Sep 18, 2021

    Since you referenced 61.129(a) I’m going with the assumption that you are looking at a SEL add on to your Commercial. You need to read ALL of 61.129(a) because there are several other requirements.

    “61.129(a)(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.”

    “61.129(a)(2) 100 hours pilot-in-command time, which includes at least- (i) 50 hours in airplanes;.”

    61.129(a)2(i) is were you run into the 50 hour solo time issue. Yes, you will need to gain an additional 40 pilot-in-command time in an airplane. Since you’re not qualified in any airplane, it would have to be solo time in a single engine airplane.

    +2 Votes Thumb up 2 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  2. bombompow on Mar 15, 2022

    Thank you Jeff

    0 Votes Thumb up 0 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


The following terms have been auto-detected the question above and any answers or discussion provided. Click on a term to see its definition from the Dauntless Aviation JargonBuster Glossary.

Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.