Pilot qualifications

What are the experience requirements for a CPL?

Ref: 14 CFR 141 app D

35 hours of ground training

55 hours of flight training

10 hours instrument

10 hours complex, turbine, or TAA

2 hr XC day 100nm

2 hr XC night 100nm

3hr within 60 days of checkride

Solo training

What must you do to be eligible for a CPL?

Hold at least a private pilot certificate and at least a 3rd class medical

Be at least 18

Speak read write understand English

Pass written and practical tests

Meet the experience requirements

What are your recency requirements?

Ref: 61.57

3 t/o and l/d within the past 90 days (at night and/or tailwheel to full stop) in the same category, class and type (if type rating is required) to carry passengers

What are the three definitions of night

Evening civil twilight to morning civil twilight (able to log night flight)

Sunset to sunrise (nav lights must be on)

1hr after to 1hr before sunrise (able to log recency)

What are your instrument currency requirements?

Ref: 61.57 (66HIT)

6 approaches (actual or simulated) within the preceding 6 months, including holds, intercepting, and tracking using navigation systems.

*repeat approaches count

*can be done in a simulator approved by the FAA however circling approaches and landings will not count

What do you do if you have gone 7 months and have only completed 4 approaches?

You have six more months to regain currency with a safety pilot in simulated or actual IMC

When do you need a safety pilot?

Anytime you are flying in simulated conditions or logging approaches in your grace period

What are the requirements of a safety pilot?

They must be legally qualified to fly the given aircraft in the given flight conditions.

They must also have their own controls (dual controls), and adequate view to the front and side of the aircraft

When do you have to log flight time?

Ref: 61.51

Anytime you are logging towards a liscense or rating, recency, currency, flight review or IPC

What is a pilot proficiency check and when would you need one?

required to act as PIC in an aircraft requiring a type rating 

how do you keep your liscense current?

Bi annual flight review every 24 calander months

What are your privileges as a commercial pilot?

Ref: 61.133

You may act as PIC on a flight carrying passengers or cargo for compensation or hire

You may act as PIC on a flight for compensation or hire

What are the limitations to your CPL?

You cannot fly passengers for hire on cross country flights (more than 50nm) and you cannot fly passengers for hire at night if you do not also hold an instrument rating.

*this limitation does not apply to soulless cargo

When might you need additional training

Tailwheel

High performance - more than 200hp

Complex - flaps, constant speed prop and retractable landing gear (must have all three)

Pressurized a/c - service ceiling or maximum operating altitude above 25,000 MSL

Type rating - MTOW of more than 12,500lbs, jets

How long is a first class medical good for when you are under 40?

60 months: 12 months first class privileges, 12 months commercial privileges, 60 months 3rd class privileges

How long is a second class medical good for when you are under 40?

60 months: 12 months commercial privileges, 60 months third class privileges

How long is a third class medical good for when you are under 40?

60 months

How long is a first class medical good for when you are over the age of 40?

24 months: 6 months first class, 12 months commercial, 24 months third class

How long is a second class medical good for when you are over the age of 40?

24 months: 12 months commercial, 24 months third class

How long is a third class medical good for over the age of 40?

24 calendar months

What is a SODA?

a statement of demonstrated ability allowing you to fly if you have a non progressive disqualifying medical condition

What is a special issuance medical?

a medical that will be issued if you have a disqualifying medical condition that does not pose a danger to the NAS. You will have to take a practical test each time you renew your medical with your AME

What must you do to obtain a SODA?

You have to pass a practical test

What must you do to keep your pilot certificate valid?

You must undergo a bi-annual flight review every 24 calendar months. This consists of a 1 hour ground and a 1 hour flight done to proficiency