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Single Engine Land requirements

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FAA Regulations

I have 2500 hours in USAF twin engine fighter (F-4C/D/E) and an ATP Multi Engine Land and Boeing 737 Type rating.  I have been non-current for a while, but I want to begin flying again.  What do I need to do to get single engine Land added to my certifications?

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1 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Aug 18, 2016

    You will need to pass a checkride in a Single Engine Land aircraft to the standards of the certificate level you desire. In other words, if you want Private Pilot privileges for SEL you’d have to pass a Private Pilot checkride. Same for Commercial or ATP-SEL. Naturally, of course, you might as well go for at least Commercial privileges given your existing ATP-AMEL. (The ATP-ASEL being a strange beast.)

    This checkride will be somewhat abbreviated compared to if you had no existing certificates. See the applicable PTS for details of what it will include.

    There will be no specific training time requirements for this, you will just need to train to proficiency in the various maneuvers (such as Chandelles and Lazy 8’s) and take the checkride. You will not need to take a written exam. And in fact, you will not even need a retractable airplane for the Commercial checkride (as you normally would), due to your existing certifications. This will make it easier to find a flight school.

    None of this should be any problem for your local flight school. They probably don’t see a lot of people adding on a Commercial SEL who don’t have any SEL time at all, but a good CFI should be able to sort through the requirements quickly and lay out a path for you.

    My one big tip? Don’t flare that 172 at 737 height! 🙂

    And welcome back to aviation!

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