This checklist has been designed to check an applicant's preparation for a flight test with a DPE. The hyperlinks below link to dedicated pages for each certificate and also mention common errors. Scroll down or click [HERE] for hours cklist. In every case respect legal logging procedures: Logging PIC quagmire.
Training requirements for a sport pilot certificate with airplane category A minimum of 20 hours flight time including:
15 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 5 hours solo flight. Flight training must include at least:
A light sport aircraft is defined as:
I. For Single Engine Airplane, Helicopter, or Gyroplane Ratings:
Total Time: 30 hours which consists of at least-
A. Dual: 15 hours of flight training with an instructor on the Recreational Pilot areas of operation, that includes:
1. 2 hours of en route flight training to another airport in the class of aircraft; and
2. 3 hours of flight training in the class of aircraft within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the practical test.
B. Solo: 3 hours of solo flying in the class of aircraft on the Recreational Pilot areas of operation.
NOTE: An additional Airplane category rating for the Single Engine class rating at the Recreational Pilot Certification Level:
A. Dual: 15 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane with an instructor on the Recreational Pilot areas of operation, that includes:
1. 2 hours of en route flight training to another airport in the single engine airplane; and
2. 3 hours of flight training in the single engine airplane within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the practical test.
B. Solo: 3 hours of solo flying in the single engine airplane on the Recreational Pilot areas of operation.
Single Engine Airplane Rating: 61.103(f), 61.107(b), and 61.109.
Total Time: 40 hours which consists of at least-
A. Dual: 20 hours of flight training with an instructor on the Private Pilot areas of operation that includes:
1. 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single engine airplane;
2. 3 hours of night flight training in a single engine airplane, that includes at least-
a. 1 cross-country flight of over 100 nm. total distance; and
b. 10 takeoffs and 10 landings with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern.
3. 3 hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a single engine airplane; and (See Note 1)
4. 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the practical test.
B. Solo: 10 hours of solo flying in a single engine airplane on the Private Pilot areas of operation, that includes:
1. 5 hours of solo cross-country flying;
2. 1 solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nm. total distance with 3 points and one segment of at least 50 nm. between takeoff and landings; and
3. 3 takeoffs and landings at a controlled airport.
III. For a Multiengine Airplane Rating:
Total Time: 40 hours which consists of at least-
A. Dual: 20 hours of flight training with an instructor on the Private Pilot areas of operation that includes:
1. 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a multiengine airplane;
2. 3 hours of night flight training in a multiengine airplane, that includes at least-
a. 1 cross-country flight of over 100 nm. total distance; and
b. 10 takeoffs and 10 landings with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern.
3. 3 hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a multiengine airplane; and (See Note 1)
4. 3 hours of flight training in a multiengine airplane within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the practical test.
B. Solo: 10 hours of solo flying in an airplane on the Private Pilot areas of operation, that includes:
1. 5 hours of solo cross-country flying;
2. 1 solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nm. total distance with 3 points and one segment of at least 50 nm. between takeoff and landing; and
3. 3 takeoffs and landings at a controlled airport.
NOTE: Where § 61.109 requires “. . . hours of flight training by reference to instruments in a single engine airplane” this cannot be in a FS, FTD, or an PCATC. The ". . . flight training by reference to instruments . . ." must have been in the aircraft in flight.
Often ignored by CFIs (and admittedly a terrible website!) but lots of useful information here. Multi training course is esp. good. Completion of a WINGS phase can be accomplished in only one flight (three syllabi) and counts as a flight review.DPEs can give FAA WINGS with every check ride (ask for this!) Qualifies for insurance discount on SAFE CFI Insurance! User manual here Endorse a phase of WINGS (you can even win $$):
“I certify that (pilot’s name), holder of pilot certificate No. XXXXX, has satisfactorily demonstrated proficiency in the required tasks as outlined in the WINGS -Pilot Proficiency Program, activitynumberXXX on (date).”Instructor Name, Certificate Number, Expiration Date, and Signature
X. For a Single Engine Airplane Rating: 61.123(e), 61.127, 61.129.
Total Time: 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
A. 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
B. 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, that includes at least--
1. 50 hours in airplanes; and
2. 50 hours in cross-country flying of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.
C. Dual: 20 hours of flight training on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation that includes at least--
1. 10 hours of instrument training of which at least 5 hours must be in a single engine airplane; (See Note 4)
2. 10 hours of training in a complex airplane, a turbine-powered airplane, or a technically advanced airplane 61.129(j);
3. One 2-hour cross country flight in a single engine airplane in daytime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure;;
4. One 2-hour cross country flight in a single engine airplane in nighttime conditions that consists of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure;
5. 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the practical test.
D. Solo: 10 hours of solo flight in a single engine airplane on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation, that
includes— (see Note 2)
1. One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nm. with landings with a min of 3 points, one of which is a straight line distance of more than 250 nm.; and
2. 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings at a controlled airport (SOLO or 61.129(a)4 Supervised solo OK
XI. For a Multiengine Airplane Rating:
If you are adding a multi engine airplane rating, carefully consult CFR 61.63 and determine if you are adding a "category" or "class" (depending on the certificate you hold). "Category" requires ALL THE EXPERIENCE to be flown and logged, "Class" has no specific experience requirements. IACRA will usually NOT catch this problem (e.g. ATP Helo is adding category!)
Total Time: 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
A. 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
B. 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, that includes at least--
1. 50 hours in airplanes; and
2. 50 hours in cross-country flying of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.
C. Dual: 20 hours of flight training on the Commercial Pilot on the areas of operation listed in § 61.127(b)(2) includes at least--
1. 10 hours of instrument training of which at least 5 hours must be in a multiengine airplane; (See Note 4)
2. 10 hours of training in a complex multiengine airplane or turbine powered multiengine airplane;
3. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a multiengine airplane in daytime conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 100 nm. from the departure point;
4. 1 cross-country of 2 hours in a multiengine airplane in nightime conditions of a total straight line distance of more than 100 nm. from the departure point;
5. 3 hours of flight training in a multiengine airplane within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the practical test.
D. Solo or Performing PIC: 10 hours of solo flying or performing the duties as PIC with an instructor in a multiengine airplane on the Commercial Pilot areas of operation, that includes at least--(see Notes 3 and 7)
1. One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nm. with landings with a min of 3 points, one of which is a straight line distance of more than 250 nm.; and
2. 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings at a controlled airport.
NOTE: If an applicant is enrolled in a commercial pilot certification course and that applicant already holds an instrument rating that is appropriate to the category and class rating sought then that applicant need not accomplish the additional “. . . 10 hours of instrument training . . .” as stated in Part 141, However, the required commercial pilot training time requirements of 55 hours cannot be reduced. And the course will have to be specifically approved for enrolling applicants who already hold an instrument rating that is appropriate to aircraft category and class rating sought. Instrument time must be correctly logged (and given by a CFI-I)
NOTE: § 61.129(b)(4), it permits a Commercial Pilot applicant to be either fly solo or "monitored" performing the duties of PIC with an instructor onboard 61.129(a)4. In the case of a Commercial Pilot applicant for the multiengine airplane rating who performed “. . . . 10 hours of flight time performing the duties of pilot in command in a multiengine airplane with an authorized instructor . . ." [i.e., § 61.129(a)4], the aeronautical experience shown in the “Solo” box for the "Airplane" category on the “Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application” (FAA Form 8710-1) may only reflect 10 hours of solo flight time, and the “Pilot in Command” box would be required to show at least 100 hours [i.e., § 61.129(b)(2)].
XVIII. For all instrument ratings: 61.65.
Total Time: Must have logged the following:
A. At least 50 hours of cross-country flying as a PIC, of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes for an Instrument Airplane rating; and
B. Total of 40 hours of actual or simulated instrument time on the Instrument areas of operation, that includes at least--
1. Dual: 15 hours of instrument training with an instructor in the aircraft category, that includes at
least: (See Note 9)
a. 3 hours of the instrument training were within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the practical test.; and
b. 1 IFR cross-country flight of more than 250 nm. (more than 100 nm. for helicopters) in the instrument-aircraft rating sought.
or, if for an
C. Additional instrument rating, 15 hours of instrument training with an instructor for the rating sought, that includes at least:
1. 1 IFR cross-country flight of more than 250 nm. (more than 100 nm. for helicopters) in the instrument-aircraft rating sought; and
2. 3 hours of the instrument training were within the preceding 60 days prior to the practical test.
NOTE 9: Per § 61.65(a)(1), must “Hold at least a current private pilot certificate with an airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift rating appropriate to the instrument rating sought;”
Can you use the 3 hours from private? Ask your examiner...
CFR 61.153(e) For an airline transport pilot certificate with an airplane category multiengine class rating or an airline transport pilot certificate obtained concurrently with an airplane type rating, an applicant must complete certification training program as specified in § 61.156 from an authorized provider.This is required before applying for the knowledge test required by paragraph (g) of this section.
ATP=CTP+Knowledge Test: 21 yrs old "Restricted" 61.156; (PIC restrictions per 61.167(b) 23 yrs old "Unrestricted" For an Airplane Ratings:
Total Time - 1,500 hours that includes at least--
A. 500 hours of cross-country flying;
B. 100 hours of night time;
C. 75 hours of instrument time; and
D. 250 hours in an airplane as a PIC, or as SIC performing the duties of PIC, or any combination thereof, that includes at least — (See Note 10)
1. 100 hours of cross-country flying; and
2. 25 hours of night time.
Military: 750 TT/Bachelors Degree: 1000 TT/Associates: 1,250 TT (All civilian training Part 141 from an approved college;
Flight Instructor: For all ratings: Have logged at least--
A. Dual: No specific min or max amount of time required, just so the applicant has received the appropriate training of § 61.187.
B. PIC: 15 hours as PIC in the category and class of aircraft for the flight instructor rating sought.
For additional flight instructor ratings: Have logged at least—
A. Dual: No specific min or max amount of time required, just so the applicant has received the appropriate training of § 61.187.
B.PIC: 15 hours as PIC in the category and class of aircraft for the flight instructor rating sought.
Additional Category Rating per § 61.63(b). [for other than ATP]
NOTE 10: Pen and ink modifications can be made to the “Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application” FAA Form 87101 to show the SIC time performing the duties of PIC used in conjunction with the PIC time to meet the PIC aeronautical experience requirements. As for example, a simple pen entry of a slash or a dash (e.g., PIC / SIC. in the “Pilot in Command” box of Section III of FAA Form 87101 can be used to show PIC time vs. SIC time.
NOTE 11: Applicants for an additional aircraft rating at the commercial pilot certification level who already holds an instrument rating that is appropriate to the category and class rating sought are not required to accomplish an additional “. . . 10 hours of instrument training . . .” as stated in § 61.129(a)(3)(i); § 61.129(b)(3)(i); § 61.129(c)(3)(i); § 61.129(d)(3)(i); and § 61.129(e)(3)(i). However, the required commercial pilot training hour requirements [i.e., ". . . on the areas of operation listed in § 61.127 . . ."] of 20 hours in § 61.129(a)(3), (b)(3), (c)(3), (d)(3), and (e)(3) cannot be reduced to 10 hours.
XLVII. Airplane single-engine course.
Total: 30 hours that consists at least:
A. Dual: 15 hours in a single engine airplane on the Recreational Pilot areas of operations that includes at least-
1. 2 hours to and at an airport more than 25 nm. from the airport where the applicant normally trains; and
2. 3 hours of dual flight training in preparation for the practical test within the preceding two calendar months prior to the practical test.
B. Solo: 3 hours in a single engine airplane on the Recreational Pilot areas of operations.
XLVIII. Rotorcraft helicopter course.
Total: 30 hours that consists of at least:
A. Dual: 15 hours in a helicopter on the Recreational Pilot areas of operations that includes at least-
1. 2 hours to and at an airport more than 25 nm. from the airport where the applicant normally trains; and
2. 3 hours of dual flight training in preparation for the practical test within the preceding two calendar months prior to the practical test
B. Solo: 3 hours in a helicopter on the Recreational Pilot areas of operations
NOTE 16: Where the rules require “. . . 3 hours of instrument training in a single engine airplane” or “. . . in a multiengine airplane” or “. . . in a powered-lift” it has to be in the aircraft in flight. IT CANNOT BE IN A FLIGHT SIMULATOR, FLIGHT TRAINING DEVICE, OR AN PCATC. IT HAS TO BE IN THE AIRCRAFT IN FLIGHT!
L. Airplane single-engine course.
Total: 35 hours that consists of at least:
A. Dual: 20 hours in a single engine airplane on the Private Pilot areas of operations that includes at least-
1. 3 hours of cross-country training;
2. 3 hours night flight training;
a. 1 cross-country flight of over 100 nm. total distance; and
b. 10 takeoffs and 10 landings with each involving a flight in the traffic pattern.
3. 3 hours of instrument training; and (See Note 16)
4. 3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test within the preceding two calendar months prior to the practical test.
B. Solo: 5 hours in a single engine airplane on the Private Pilot areas of operations that includes at least-
1. 1 solo cross-country flight of at least 100 nm. total distance with 3 points and one segment of at least 50 nm. between takeoff and landing; and
2. 3 takeoffs and landings at an airport with an operating control tower.
Max. usage of flight simulators = 4 hours
Max. usage of flight training devices = 3 hours
Max. combined usage of flight simulators and flight training devices = 4 hours
NOTE 17: Notice, the “35 hours of instrument training” for the initial instrument rating course does not establish a certain amount of instrument training required from an authorized instructor. This is because Part 141, Appendix C does not dictate the breakdown of dual time and solo time for the initial instrument rating course. However, in accordance with § 61.51(g)(4), an authorized instructor must be present to log instrument time in a flight simulator or an approved flight training device.
NOTE 18: Notice, the “15 hours of instrument training” for the additional instrument rating course does not establish a certain amount of instrument training required from an authorized instructor. This is because Part 141, Appendix C does not dictate the breakdown of dual time and solo time for the additional instrument rating course. However, in accordance with § 61.51(g)(4), an authorized instructor must be present to log instrument time in a flight simulator or an approved flight training device.
LVIII. Total for initial instrument rating course = 35 hours of instrument training, that includes training with an authorized instructor on the following areas of operation: (See Note 17)
(1. Preflight preparation;
(2. Preflight procedures;
(3. Air traffic control clearances and procedures;
(4. Flight by reference to instruments;
(5. Navigation systems;
(6. Instrument approach procedures;
(7. Emergency operations; and
(8. Postflight procedures.
that includes:
A. Instrument — airplane.
Dual: 1 dual cross-country of at least 250 nm. in the applicable airplane category and class
B. Instrument — helicopter.
Dual: 1 dual cross-country of at least 100 nm. in a helicopter
C. Instrument — powered-lift.
Dual: 1 dual cross-country of at least 250 nm. in a powered-lift
LVIX. Total for an additional instrument rating course = 15 hours of instrument training, that includes training with an authorized instructor on the following areas of operation: (See Note 18)
(1. Preflight preparation;
(2. Preflight procedures;
(3. Air traffic control clearances and procedures;
(4. Flight by reference to instruments;
(5. Navigation systems;
(6. Instrument approach procedures;
(7. Emergency operations; and
(8. Postflight procedures.
that includes:
A. Instrument — airplane.
Dual: 1 dual cross-country of at least 250 nm. in the applicable airplane category and class
B. Instrument — helicopter.
Dual: 1 dual cross-country of at least 100 nm. in a helicopter
C. Instrument — powered-lift.
Dual: 1 dual cross-country of at least 250 nm. in a powered-lift
Initial / Additional
Maximum usage of flight simulators = 17.5 hours / 7.5 hours
Maximum usage of flight training devices = 14 hours / 6 hours
Max. combined usage of FS & FTD = 17.5 hours / 7.5 hours
LX. Airplane single-engine course.
Total: 120 hours that consists of at least:
A. Dual: 55 hours on the Commercial Pilot Areas of Operation that includes at least-- (See Notes 19 and 20)
1. 5 hours of instrument training in a single engine airplane;
2. 10 hours in a complex single engine airplane;
3. 1 cross-country of 2 hours duration in day-VFR conditions in a single engine airplane;
4. 1 cross-country of 2 hours duration in night-VFR conditions in a single engine airplane; and
5. 3 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane in preparation for the practical test within the preceding two calendar months prior to the practical test.
B. Solo: 10 hours in a single engine airplane on the Commercial Pilot Areas of Operation that includes at least-
1. 1 cross-country; and
2. 5 hours in night VFR conditions that includes 10 takeoffs & landings at a controlled airport.
Max. usage of flight simulators = 16.5 hours
Max. usage of flight training devices = 11 hours
Max. combined usage of flight simulators and flight training devices = 16.5 hours
LXI. Airplane multiengine course.
Total: 120 hours that consists of at least:
A. Dual: 55 hours on the Commercial Pilot Areas of Operation that includes at least-- (See Notes 19)
1.5 hours of instrument training in a multiengine airplane;
2. 10 hours in a complex multiengine airplane;
3. 1 cross-country of 2 hours duration in day-VFR conditions in a multiengine airplane;
4. 1 cross-country of 2 hours duration in night-VFR conditions in a multiengine airplane;
5. 3 hours of flight training in a multiengine airplane in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the practical test.
B. Solo or acting as PIC with an instructor on board: 10 hours in a multiengine airplane on the CP Areas of Operation that includes at least-
1. 1 cross-country; and
2. 5 hours in night VFR conditions that includes 10 takeoffs & landings at a controlled airport.
Max. usage of flight simulators = 16.5 hours
Max. usage of flight training devices = 11 hours
Max. combined usage of flight simulators and flight training devices = 16.5 hours
NOTE 20: If an applicant is undergoing a combined Part 141 Commercial Pilot Certification and Instrument Rating approved course then that applicant need not accomplish an additional “. . . 5 hours of instrument training . . .”. [i.e., Part 141, Appendix D, paragraphs 4.(b)(1)(i), 4.(b)(2)(i), 4.(b)(3)(i), 4.(b)(4)(i), and 4.(b)(5)(i)]. Because in this situation, the applicant is getting instrument training and there would be no way, or need, to differentiate the instrument training required in the Instrument Rating course with the instrument training required in the Commercial Pilot Certification course.
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