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3 Answers

Adding IR to Airplane PPL with Helicopter ATP

Asked by: 3597 views FAA Regulations, Helicopter, Instrument Rating, Private Pilot

Hey pilots! Recently earned my FAA Helicopter ATP and have an airplane PPL (AMEL/AMSL) based on my ICAO CPL/IR with 1600 multi engine and 100 hours instrument,750 x-country . Heard I can add IR to my PPL since I hold a helicopter ATP. If possible, what's the procedure? Thanks!

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3 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Jun 29, 2024

    I see you haven’t received an answer. The first place I would look is FAR 61.65(d), the requirements for the instrument-airplane rating. You will see certain requirements specify “in an airplane,” like “50 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command, of which 10 hours must have been in an airplane.”

    There will be some you already have due to your combined helicopter and VFR airplane experience. Others you will need to cover.

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  2. Kris Kortokrax on Jun 29, 2024

    The helicopter ATP has nothing to do with adding an instrument rating to a certificate for airplanes.

    You currently have a US Private Pilot certificate based on a foreign license.

    You can add an instrument rating to the certificate by taking the instrument knowledge test, meeting the time requirements and passing a practical test.

    Take a look at 14 CFR 61.41. It allows you to credit instruction received in a foreign country toward the requirements for a U.S. certificate. You quite likely already have most of the requirements in 61.65 met. Probably need to do the long cross country and get enough dual from a U.S. instructor, so that he will feel comfortable signing you off for the practical test.

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  3. LTCTerry on Aug 06, 2024

    You might find the easiest path would be to do either ASEL or AMEL ATP as an additional category. This checkride would give you a real FAA certificate independent of your foreign license and would include instrument privileges.

    BTW – ICAO does not issue licenses. Countries do.

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