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Commercial Helicopter Add-on

Asked by: 3800 views Commercial Pilot, Helicopter

According to 61.129 (c) 3 & 4 - I need 20 hours of dual to include 5 hours instrument, 2 hour day XC, 2 hour night XC, 3 point XC, and 5 hours night VFR.  

My background is as follows - commercial single, multi and instrument with private rotorcraft.  I didn't need t get a private Helo  as I could have gone straight to commercial but I decided I did not want to 35 hours of solo to knock out PIC requirement.  in doing my, private, I did all my XC to commercial standards - 50 NM legs.  Do I need t redo these XC to satisfy 61.129?

Also, with respect to the 5 hour instrument, 61.129 says I can perform in an aircraft In lieu of Helo?  I have over 75 hours instrument time in airplanes, does this count?  

Please help!

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1 Answers



  1. Wes Beard on Nov 28, 2012

    According to legal interpretations you cannot count cross countries done during your private training for the cross countries for the commercial certificate. You can search those interpretations here.

    http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/agc/pol_adjudication/agc200/Interpretations/

    As far as the 5 hours of instrument time. The legal interpretations also indicate that the training must cover those items listed in 61.129. Saying that you already have a commercial airplane certificate I would consider that requirement met but the best bet is to talk to the DPE that you plan on completing your practical test with and getting their opinion.

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