Knowledge Test Question.

Flpilot88 · March 2, 2008

Okay, I'm private pilot fixed wing with a instrument rating... I want to fly helos for a living. Well I was told to get my instrument in the fixed wing then start on my helo. Which I'm doing. I'm starting Helos in may-june. Anyway bare with me, my question is when I took my private and instrument writtens I notice they had airplane exam, helo exam, ect... Can I take my Commercial airplane written and use it for my helo commercial?

Thanks

-LEVI

michaelking42 · March 2, 2008

I think you are doing the right thing by doing fixed wing first...at least to the private stage. Anyway, you won't be able to use fixed wing FAA exams as credit for rotorcraft requirements. The good thing is that you will already know the answers, and you should take the rotorcraft written exams at the same time as the fixed wing...

Good luck.

AngelFire_91 · March 2, 2008

Whoa Whoa Whoa here,

If you already hold a Private fixed wing, then you do not have to take the Private Rotorcraft written exam. Same goes with the Instrument and Commerical. But you have to already hold that rating in a fixed wing. Otherwise you can not use the Commerical Airplane Written to obtain your Commerical Rotorcraft.

So my suggestion to you is, Finish up your commerical Airplane, if you already hold a Private and Insturment Airplane then it shouldn't require much more. Then after getting that, do a Commerical Rotorcraft add-on. You won't have to take any other writtens, only practicals, and you'll come out with a Commerical Rotorcraft Helicopter certificate.

Hope that helps,

Kevin

AngelFire_91 · March 2, 2008

...

Edited March 2, 2008 by AngelFire_91

Anonymous User · March 2, 2008

Read the regs Mr. Pilot... Knowledge test for an additional rating is not required

§ 61.63 Additional aircraft ratings (other than on an airline transport pilot certificate).

(a) General. To be eligible for an additional aircraft rating to a pilot certificate, for other than an airline transport pilot certificate, an applicant must meet the appropriate requirements of this section for the additional aircraft rating sought.

(B ) Additional category rating. An applicant who holds a pilot certificate and applies to add a category rating to that pilot certificate:
...

(5) Need not take an additional knowledge test, provided the applicant holds an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, or airship rating at that pilot certificate level.

Edited March 2, 2008 by Anonymous User

helonorth · March 2, 2008

Okay, I'm private pilot fixed wing with a instrument rating... I want to fly helos for a living. Well I was told to get my instrument in the fixed wing then start on my helo. Which I'm doing. I'm starting Helos in may-june. Anyway bare with me, my question is when I took my private and instrument writtens I notice they had airplane exam, helo exam, ect... Can I take my Commercial airplane written and use it for my helo commercial?

Thanks
-LEVI

No. If you already had a commercial airplane, then you would not need to take another knowledge

test. Since it is your initial commercial rating, it must be in the catagory and class for which you

are applying.

Edited March 2, 2008 by helonorth

SpinnySideUp · March 2, 2008

It is true that you do not need a written test to add on rotorcraft to your commercial rating.

However, if you plan on going through to your CFI, you will need to have taken all knowledge tests applicable to that category and class for the rating sought. Basically saying, if you want your CFI you have to have taken your COM written test along with the FOI and CFI written.

Flpilot88 · March 2, 2008

Read the regs Mr. Pilot... Knowledge test for an additional rating is not required

Mr. Anonymous, that is not my question. I know I do not have to take the private or instrument written again for my Helicopter add on. But as I stated above I am private pilot with an instrument rating. My question, Does it make a difference if I took the commercial airplane written or commercial helicopter written, or are they one and the same? I will be getting my Commerical helicopter certificate before my fixed wing certificate so will the knowledge test be valid? I already have a Gleim studyguide for commerical fixed wing.

Edited March 2, 2008 by Flpilot88

helonorth · March 2, 2008

Read the regs Mr. Pilot... Knowledge test for an additional rating is not required

Read paragraph 5 closer.

AngelFire_91 · March 2, 2008

Mr. Anonymous, that is not my question. I know I do not have to take the private or instrument written again for my Helicopter add on. But as I stated above I am private pilot with an instrument rating. My question, Does it make a difference if I took the commercial airplane written or commercial helicopter written, or are they one and the same? I will be getting my Commerical helicopter certificate before my fixed wing certificate so will the knowledge test be valid? I already have a Gleim studyguide for commerical fixed wing.

If you do not hold a Commercial Airplane, and you are going to be getting your Commercial Helicopter before the Airplane, then you would have to take the Commercial Rotorcraft test to get your Commercial Helicopter. Then to get your Commercial Airplane you would not have to take the test again.

Edited March 2, 2008 by AngelFire_91

Gomer Pylot · March 3, 2008

Note, however, that your fixed-wing instrument ticket is not valid for rotorcraft. You have to jump through a few more hoops for a rotorcraft instrument. I once had an FAA FSDO guy, in OKC no less, tell me that the flight instruments in airplanes and helicopters are different, so you have to do them separately. The flight instruments are the same, but the regs do say you have to get a separate rotorcraft rating.

HelliBoy · March 3, 2008

if you plan on going through to your CFI, you will need to have taken all knowledge tests applicable to that category and class for the rating sought. Basically saying, if you want your CFI you have to have taken your COM written test along with the FOI and CFI written.

This is incorrect. For a helicopter flight instructor cert. you need a helicopter Commercial or ATP rating. It doesnt matter if you got it by passing the Airplane knowledge test and practical test and the Heliocpter practical test. Category and class have nothing to do with it. The examiner doesnt care how you got your Private or Commercial ticket. If you arent sure about a subject the advice you give on it isnt going to do anyone any good and will just end up making you look bad. Half of the responses to this question are flat out wrong. I'd suspect its because this kind of thing isnt usaully taught or focused on until CFI training and some of the respondents are not CFIs. The best way to figure out the answer to part 61 questions is to figure out what you need to bring to the checkride you want to take.

Levi- The simple answer to your question is the Airplane and Rotorcraft knowledge tests are not the same or interchangable. If you show up to your commercial helicopter checkride with a test report for airplanes they'll send you home. Your CFI wont let that happen. The good news is they are mostly the same questions. BTW: Dont bother getting the fixed wing commercial rating if you dont think you'll use it and just want to fly helis. Its a waste of money better spent on dual helicopter instruction.

Gomer- you sound suprised that a Government employee, an FAA employee nonetheless, put his foot in his mouth

I bet you didnt correct him tho!

Gomer Pylot · March 3, 2008

Gomer- you sound suprised that a Government employee, an FAA employee nonetheless, put his foot in his mouth
I bet you didnt correct him tho!

I tried my best, but I just wasn't good enough to get it done. If I sound surprised, that's just my bad communication. I long ago ceased to be amazed by the depth of the ignorance of FSDO office occupiers.

michaelking42 · March 3, 2008

Read the regs Mr. Pilot... Knowledge test for an additional rating is not required

Hey I stand corrected, should've looked at the books before opening my mouth...

Flpilot88 · March 3, 2008

Thanks for all your help guys!

So basically study my Gleim commercial airplane written prep but excluded the airplane stuff in it?

And would someone point me in the direction of getting a commercial /fund of instruction rotorcraft written prep cds/books?

helonorth · March 3, 2008

Sportys should have it, otherwise try www.helicoptersonly.com.

67november · March 3, 2008

also check www.asa2fly.com

hynesaviation · March 5, 2008

Thanks for all your help guys!

So basically study my Gleim commercial airplane written prep but excluded the airplane stuff in it?

And would someone point me in the direction of getting a commercial /fund of instruction rotorcraft written prep cds/books?

Just a pref for me and what I have my students read and study but I use ASA products for them to study for writtens. I tell them about the CD version to take practice test but I provide it for them on my computer to take several test. Once they take a few and pass above 80% then they are ready to be signed off.

I think everyone squared you away on the writtens.

I did the same as you years ago. PVT fixed wing, then back to rotorcraft PVT. Then went back to fixed wing comm/inst. After that finished comm rotorcraft and then straight to CFI rotorcraft.

I don't think it saves a person much $$$ but if you are going to fly a long distance it is nice to have the fixed wing rating plus it is nice to have the option of jumping in a plane or helicopter to go someplace.

Good luck and have fun