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4 Answers

Comm Instr RW to Pvt ASEL

Asked by: 3998 views FAA Regulations, General Aviation, Helicopter, Instrument Rating, Private Pilot, Student Pilot

if i am qualifed and current instrument helicopter pilot do i have to do the 3 hours of basic instr while going for my airplane single engine pvt rating

4 Answers



  1. Wes Beard on Apr 01, 2012

    Yes.  61.109(a)(3) has the wording “in a single engine airplane”.  This cannot be accomplished an a helicopter.
     
    —————-
    §61.109(a)(3) – 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments 

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  2. Kris Kortokrax on Apr 01, 2012

    There is no consistency in the regulations.  At the commercial level, one is allowed to count time in an “aircraft” to satisfy the instrument requirements for a commercial helicopter rating.  The reverse is not true.  The people writing regulations obviously don’t understand that the helicopter is a much less stable instrument platform and therefore a bit more difficult to fly on instruments.
     
    See 61.109 (k)(1).  You can accomplish 2.5 hours of the training in a simulator or FTD.

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  3. JD on Apr 01, 2012

    Thanks Mr. Beard for the source, I am familiar with the FAR I was just grasping at straws and hoping to find an AC or some other source in addition to the FAR saying ‘if you are already an instrument pilot you don’t need to do 3 hours of inst.’ Thanks.
    Mr. Kortokrax, this is an airplane pilots world are us helo jockey’s just dirty up ‘their’ airspace. I wouldn’t trade the experience or ability to hover for anything. Present position departures are always a bonus.

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  4. Jason smith on Apr 22, 2012

    Yes- I am a helicopter and airplane instructor and I have sent 4 of my helo instrucotr friends for fixed wing add ons within the last 8 moths n i checked with the DE and the FSDO. Yes the reg does apply. You are more likely to go IIMC in a Plane than a helicopter cause it can handle it (but the pilot not be able to) while helos avoid IMC like the Plauge unless they are certified like an S76 or something. Hope that helps!

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