Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

1 Answers

Using Multi Engine time as complex requirement for single commercial

Asked by: 3180 views Commercial Pilot

After looking at the practical test standards for commercial pilot it specifies one must have 10 hrs in a complex aircraft as well as the instruction. I am currently a SEL MEL and Instrument private pilot. Can I use my multi engine experience (250 hrs) as my 10hr complex time for a single engine commercial or does the time have to be logged in a single engine complex airplane? Also could I use my dual multi engine time (gained while training for multi checkride) as my 10hrs dual instruction? I’m trying to figure out if I need to log 10hrs dual in a complex single or if the multi time counts. Thanks 

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Actual FAA Questions / Free Lifetime Updates
The best explanations in the business
Fast, efficient study.
Pass Your Checkride With Confidence!
FAA Practical Test prep that reflects actual checkrides.
Any checkride: Airplane, Helicopter, Glider, etc.
Written and maintained by actual pilot examiners and master CFIs.
The World's Most Trusted eLogbook
Be Organized, Current, Professional, and Safe.
Highly customizable - for student pilots through pros.
Free Transition Service for users of other eLogs.
Our sincere thanks to pilots such as yourself who support AskACFI while helping themselves by using the awesome PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android aviation apps of our sponsors.

1 Answers



  1. Matt J Adams on Jan 27, 2019

    Before I answer I’ll just say I’m a new CFI and anyone’s input with more experience may provide more insight.

    According to 61.129(a)(3)(ii) – it only says 10 hours of training in a complex “airplane” it doesn’t specify as to single engine or multi engine. (I don’t think the number of engines is what they are concerned about) It also states the 10 hours could be done in a TAA aircraft (refer to 61.129(J)). So the short answer to your question is yes.

    As for the second question you asked, 61.129(a)(3) states “20 hours of training” not 10. I would also point out it depends how your instructor logged it because it specifically says for single engine areas of operation are 61.127(b)(1). For multi engine training your instructor may have logged it as 61.127(b)(2). Now if in your remarks section it just says something like “chandelles, steep turns, lazy eights… etc.” then I would say you could probably count it towards the 20 hours of training required.

    I hope this helps.

    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.