Confusion about transition from fixed wing PPL to Helicopter Commercial

[franknyc]

I see some schools mention that you can transition from the fixed PPL to the rotorcraft Commercial at long as you have a total of 100 hrs PIC broken down as follows: 65 Fixed wing (minimum) 35 Helicopter. Plus 20 hours dual helicopter.

So, for a total of only 55 hours helicopter (minimum) you can go from fixed PPL to commercial rotorcraft. Am I reading this right? Or do you need a commercial fixed wing to add a heli commercial.

 

Also, when they mention minimum of 300 hours to teach w/ pathfinder insurance do they mean just helicopter or can it be 300 TT in any aircraft?

Thanks again

[Flip]

As far as my knowlege goes, yes you're reading that correctly. But you don't just need 100 PIC, you need 150 hours of total flight time (dual or solo, fixed wing or rotor). Not sure if you knew that or not. It's all in 61.129. Now, can you skip the helicopter Private and go straight to Commercial with fixed wing PPL? That seems to be what the FAR's infer, but I wouldn't mind some clarification. I don't know for sure about the Pathfinder stuff, but I would guess it's 300 hours helicopter time.

 

Flip

Edited August 18, 2007 by Flip

[franknyc]

As far as my knowlege goes, yes you're reading that correctly. But you don't just need 100 PIC, you need 150 hours of total flight time (dual or solo, fixed wing or rotor). Not sure if you knew that or not. It's all in 61.129. Now, can you skip the helicopter Private and go straight to Commercial with fixed wing PPL? That seems to be what the FAR's infer, but I wouldn't mind some clarification. I don't know for sure about the Pathfinder stuff, but I would guess it's 300 hours helicopter time.

 

Flip

 

 

So does solo time in fixed wing while getting your PPL count as PIC?

How about dual instruction while getting your instrument rating, does that count as PIC?

[apiaguy]

Yes, 150 total time, 50 hours in helicopters, 35 hours solo (pic) commercial written and checkride.

 

Pathfinder is the r22 insurance group and you have to have 300 hours ALL helicopter to qualify. Also to instruct in the r22 due to sfar 73 you have to have 200 hours All helicopter.

 

If you have a private fixed wing all of your time solo and after your rating qualify as pic.

 

After you have at least a private rating all flight time is pic even if you are doing instruction.. so yes to the instrument instruction being pic.

[jehh]

I see some schools mention that you can transition from the fixed PPL to the rotorcraft Commercial at long as you have a total of 100 hrs PIC broken down as follows: 65 Fixed wing (minimum) 35 Helicopter. Plus 20 hours dual helicopter.

So, for a total of only 55 hours helicopter (minimum) you can go from fixed PPL to commercial rotorcraft. Am I reading this right? Or do you need a commercial fixed wing to add a heli commercial.

 

Yes, you're reading it right... However that isn't practical for various reasons...

 

For one thing, the only way to obtain 35 hours of helicopter PIC time without a helicopter private certificate is to fly solo. No one is going to let you fly around in circles for 35 hours after 10 to 15 hours of dual instruction, it would build a lot of negative habits, and really not make any sense.

 

Just do the private add-on, then the commercial add-on. 60 hours is the min going that route, but plan on 75 hours, just in case.

Also, when they mention minimum of 300 hours to teach w/ pathfinder insurance do they mean just helicopter or can it be 300 TT in any aircraft?

Thanks again

 

They mean helicopter hours... I get asked all the time by people, "why not do my airplane ratings first, then my helicopter ratings, then I get both sets of ratings for the price of just the helicopter."

 

That is true, however it makes you unemployable as a helicopter pilot, as you'll have fewer than 100 hours of helicopter time.

 

Welcome to insurance, the true driver of the rules in this business.

 

Fly Safe!