This question comes from David:

How do you find an intersection that is off the airway your on without GPS/loran or a vector from ATC.  For example, let’s say your over PXN (cental california) cleared to the Oakey intersection.  Once I set up my radials to identify the fix, how do I estimate my ETA at Oakey without knowing the exact distance?

Thanks for your question David. To answer you question, I created a video tutorial showing you how to use a easy to remember rule of thumb that works especially well if you course is north-south (such as it is in your case).   I hope this helps.  Let me know if you have any other questions and remember to…

Fly Safe!

By the way, if you are curious about the desktop ruler I used in the demonstration, it is available at:

http://www.askacfi.com/tools

Received a question this morning from Kelly:

Hi. I am a multi-commercial, instrument rated pilot who received my training through the Air Force. I also have a single engine airplane private license which I got before I went into the military. Here’s my question? Do I have to take a checkride with an examiner to get a SINGLE ENGINE COMMERCIAL, or is my commercial rating good just like my INSTRUMENT rating?

Hi Kelly. Thanks for your question.

Well, I hate to be the bearer of bad news but yes, you will need to take another checkride in order to exercise commercial priviledges in a single-engine airplane (such as flight instruction). Currently with your certificate, you can only exercise commercial privileges in a airplane multi-engine land (AMEL). My certificate has a similar limitation. I have an ATP for AMEL but only commercial priviledges for ASEL. That means, I cannot act as a pilot in command in a single engine land airplane that required the operating privileges of a airline transport pilot certificate (such as an air carrier).

So of course the next question is, “What will you need to demonstrate to the examiner on the practical test?”

The official reference to this question is the FAA Commercial Pilot Practical Test Standards. If you open this document you will notice on page 1-v the “Additional Rating Task Table”, a copy of which I have included below. You can reference this table to see which areas of operations and tasks will be required to be completed on your checkride:

This table describes exactly what maneuvers have to be covered on your practical test by giving you roman numerals and letters that correspond to Areas of Operations and Tasks in the PTS. Here are the areas to be covered:

1. Performance and Limitations
2. Operations of Systems
3. Normal, Crosswind, Short and Soft Field Takeoff, Landings, Go-arounds
4. Steep Spirals, Chandelles and Lazy Eights
5. Eights on Pylons
6. Emergency Approach and Landings, System Malfunctions
7. After Landing, Securing and Parking

You’ll notice there are few thing you don’t have to, such as the stall series and steep turns but you still have to do the commercial maneuvers in a single engine airplane.

Let me know if you have any questions and as always…

Fly Safe!

This question comes from Karl:

I’m thinking about buying a retractable gear aircraft with 250 HP engine from a CFI who lost his medical. I am certified in high perfomrance AC (C-182) but I only have under 2 hrs of retract time.

I’m interested in taking a flight in the AC and he tells me that since I have a current medical and rating in a high performance AC, that I could be the legal PIC, even though I am not checked out in this plane. He would fly along with me, of course.

This doesn’t seem right to me. What do you think?

Hi Karl.  Thanks for your question. There are a few things that you need to think about here 1) Legality and 2) Insurance and 3) Safety.

Legality

According to FAR 61.31paragraph f, in order to act as a pilot in command of an aircraft which has an engine of more than 200 horsepower you must have received and logged ground and flight training from an instructor AND you must have an high performance endorsement from that instructor in your logbook.  In addition, if you want to be pilot in command of a complex aircraft, FAR 61.31(e) says that you must also have ground AND flight training in complex airplanes with logbook endorsement.  And just as a reminder, a complex aircraft has flaps, retractable gear and a controllable pitch propeller.  So that means if the airplane you are wanting to buy is a complex, high performance airplane you need 2 separate logbook endorsements (not ratings).  As a side note, these endorsements are one time events.

Insurance

Every insurance company and policy is different.  I would recommend checking with the policy on the aircraft to make sure you meet the open pilot provisions.  It might require you to have so much time in the make and model or it may require a proficiency check in the make and model by an authorized instructor.  Like I said, every policy is different.  It is best to call and talk with the insurance company or broker if you have any questions about your policy.

Safety

If you feel uncomfortable flying this airplane with this other pilot, don’t do it, even if is “legal”. Find a pilot or instructor who meets all the provisions above PLUS someone you feel comfortable flying with.  There are countless stories of pilots getting themselves killed flying unfamiliar aircraft.  In case you missed it,  here is my personal story of flying a unfamiliar airplane.

Hope this helps.  Let me know what you decide to do and if you buy it.

Fly Safe (and legal)