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2 Answers

Commercial Helicopter to Airplane

Asked by: 3128 views Commercial Pilot

Hey everyone! I’m a commercial rated helicopter pilot looking to go fixed wing. Do I need to get a private first and then continue on to commercial airplane? Thanks!

Jake

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2 Answers



  1. Bryan on Jul 19, 2023

    61.63 has your guidance where you’re adding additional ratings. You’re adding a new category so (b) says you have to (1) complete applicable training, (2) get endorsed, (3) pass the practical test, but (4) you don’t have to do a knowledge test because you already hold a rotorcraft commercial certificate–which is the same level as the airplane certificate you seek.

    So go back through 61.123 – 61.133 with your instructor. You can skip the knowledge test and otherwise cross t’s, dot i’s, and you’re on your way.

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  2. LTCTerry on Jul 27, 2023

    Do you need a Private first? No, you do not. The question is “should you?” I say yes.

    You need 50 hours of airplane PIC time for Commercial. If you are not airplane rated, then none of your dual will ever also be PIC. You will need to pay for 50 hours of additional solo time not otherwise required.

    Do Private first, then all the instrument training is also PIC. Ditto for the Commerce maneuvers.

    You can help this along even more if you have access to a Light Sport Airplane since your RW Commercial includes Sport privileges. Do Private in the LSA and log PIC while training.

    Look at everything in 61.109 (Private) and 61.129 (Commercial) for where it says “in a single engine airplane.” Look at 61.65 (Instrument) for what you need there. This becomes the foundation of your training plan. Where practice, convenient, and allowed combine or sequence things for efficiency.

    I just worked with a retired Army Blackhawk pilot (who also had Private ASEL unused for many years). We did AMEL Private, AMEL Commercial, and Airplane Instrument in 33.5 hours. The only hour not scheduled to meet a specific goal in the training plan was the trip home from the last checkride.

    Fly smarter, not more expensive…

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