Do I need to take an exam to add single engine fixed wing rating to private helicopter rating?

5 Answers

1. 
   

   
   

   John D. Collins on Aug 20, 2012

   Steve,

   You can find the majority of your answers in two regulations, 61.63 and 61.109. I have included them in this post for your convenience. 61.63(b)(4) says you don’t need to take a written (knowledge) test. 61.109 (a) states everything you need to do to obtain your single engine land rating and any requirement that must be performed in a single engine airplane is listed. If the requirement is just for an airplane, than your helicopter time may be used to satisfy that requirement. If I did my math correctly, the items that must be in a single engine airplane add to 22 hours at a minimum (10 solo, dual: 3 X/C, 3 night, 3 instrument, and 3 in prep for the test. These are minimums, I would expect most to exceed the minimums.

   Sec. 61.63
   Additional aircraft ratings (other than for ratings at the airline transport pilot certification level).
   (a) General. For an additional aircraft rating on a pilot certificate, other than for an airline transport pilot certificate, a person must meet the requirements of this section appropriate to the additional aircraft rating sought.
   (b) Additional aircraft category rating. A person who applies to add a category rating to a pilot certificate:
   (1) Must complete the training and have the applicable aeronautical experience.
   (2) Must have a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized instructor attesting that the person was found competent in the appropriate aeronautical knowledge areas and proficient in the appropriate areas of operation.
   (3) Must pass the practical test.
   (4) Need not take an additional knowledge test, provided the applicant holds an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, weight-shift-control aircraft, powered parachute, or airship rating at that pilot certificate level.

   ……

   Sec. 61.109

   Aeronautical experience.

   (a) For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (k) of this section, a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least–
   (1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane;

   (2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes–

   (i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and

   (ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.

   (3) 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight;

   (4) 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test, which must have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test; and

   (5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least–

   (i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;

   (ii) One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and

   (iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

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2. 
   

   
   

   Lucas on Aug 20, 2012

   § 61.63 Additional aircraft ratings (other than for ratings at the airline transport pilot certification level).

   …….

   {a}(4) Need not take an additional knowledge test, provided the applicant holds an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, weight-shift-control aircraft, powered parachute, or airship rating at that pilot certificate level.

   ……..

   §61.109 Aeronautical experience.

   (a) For an airplane single-engine rating:

   ……..

   (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–

   (i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and

   (ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.

   (3) 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight; (hood time)

   (4) 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test, which must have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test; and

   (5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least–

   (i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;

   (ii) One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and

   (iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.

   So in short 10 hours of solo and depending on your skill level 6-10 hours of dual.

   Lucas
   http://passfaaexams.com/

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3. 
   

   
   

   Lucas on Aug 20, 2012

   Dear John
   As I posted, I noticed you had just posted as well so our messages are very similar. But keep in mind that the 12 hours of dual can be combined as an example 3 hours of night also include the night X-Country which counts towards the 3 hours of X-C. and part of the 3 hours of hood time can also be done at night. Also the 3 hours in prep in the preceding 60 days can be the night 3 hours. Finally I agree with you that the minimums are just minimums and most students will go well over them so again it all depends on the actual skills of the student.

   So Steve. If you managed to get your helicopter rating at minimum hours than I would expect for you to be able to add a SE airplane rating with just 6-8 hours of dual and 10 of solo. If it took you twice that much to get it, then at least double the dual hours.

   Lucas

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4. 
   

   
   

   Kris Kortokrax on Aug 20, 2012

   Gents,

   You are both overlooking the text in 61.109 (a) ” 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(1) of this part”

   That means 20 hours of dual over the areas in 61.107(b)(1) and 10 hours of solo over the areas in 61.107(b)(1). 61.107(b)(1) specifically refers to single-engine airplane.

   The 20 hours of dual must include the 12 hours of items stipulated, but must also include time to teach taxi, takeoffs, landings and all the other maneuvers.

   Minimum time required: 20 hours dual, 10 hours solo.

   John,

   ” If the requirement is just for an airplane, than your helicopter time may be used to satisfy that requirement.”

   I’ve read many of your other posts. This statement was unexpected. If the requirement is for airplane, it may be done in ASEL, AMEL, ASES or AMES, but not in a helicopter. If the requirement is merely for flight time (as it is for the 40 hour requirement), then helicopter time may be used.

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5. 
   

   
   

   CFI Academy on Aug 21, 2012

   I’ll just add one thing to all of the above, something that I caught at one of the DPE training seminars at the OAK city – spark plug test; if you have been tested on spark plugs, you dont need to take another knowledge test for the add on category rating.
   Glider to airplane – yes (no spark plugs on a glider), airplane to glider – no (cause you have been tested on spark plugs) …and so on..

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