1. Must log at least 250 hrs. of flight time as pilot that consists of at least:
a. 100 hrs. in powered aircraft, of which 50 hrs must be in airplanes
b. 100 hrs. PIC which includes at least:
(1) 50 hrs in airplanes
(2) 50 hrs of cross country of which 10 hrs must be in airplanes
c. 20 hrs of training on the areas of operation listed in 61.127(b)(2) including at least:
(1) 10 hrs of instrument training, of which at least 5 hours must be ME (the applicant already has more than 10 hours of Inst training cause he has an instrument rating)
(2) 10 hrs of training in a multiengine airplane that has a retractable
landing gear, flaps, and controllable pitch prop, or is turbine powered.
Under c. above can be combined
(3) One cross-country of at least 2 hours in a multiengine airplane
in nighttime conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than
100 NM from the original point of departure.
Under c. above can be combined
(4) One cross-country of a least 2 hours in a multiengine airplane
in daytime conditions, consisting of a total straight line distance of more than
100 NM from the original point of departure.
(5) 3 hrs in a ME airplane in preparation for the practical test within
the 60 days preceding the test.
Under c. above can be combined
d. 10 hrs solo flight in ME airplanes or 10 hours of flight performing the duties
of PIC in an ME airplane with an authorized instructor.
One cross-country of not less than 300 NM with landings at a
Minimum of 3 points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least
250 NM from the original departure point.
(2) 5 hours in night VFR with 10 takeoffs and landings at an airport
with an operating control tower. This could be done on the 300NM cross
if the cross country was done at night.
The intent of FAR 61.129 (b)(4)…..”Performing the duties of pilot in command….with an authorized instructor….” Is to permit an authorized instructor to be aboard the multiengine airplane and that the instructor should act like an SIC. The instructor should observe, and may train the student on how to be a PIC (CRM, crew concept) but should not train on aircraft specific items.
Because there is no ‘block’ on the 8710-1 for ‘Performing the duties of pilot in command’ this time should be logged in the solo block, and PIC block.
The applicants log book should look like this: .
Student performed the duties of PIC, IAW FAR 61.129(b)(4).
/S/ Jane Doe 1234567CFI exp. 12/31/2009
The instructors log book should read. PIC training given to John Doe, Certificate #12765423 IAW FAR 61.129(b)(4).
The 5 hrs of required instrument training required in ME airplanes can be combined with the 10 hrs of required training for ME complex airplanes.
The 3 hours of prep for the exam could be included in the above time if it was done in the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test.
61.129(b)(4) requires 10 hours of solo or performing the duties of PIC.
If you maximized every hour of training you could complete the Commercial AMEL training in 20 hours.
Here is what I would do: Give them 10 hours of dual which includes a 2 hr day x-c, a 2 hr night x-c, and 6 hours of preparation for the checkride.
Some where during this 10 hours of dual include 5 hours of hood time, mostly working on SE instrument approaches.
Do the 300NM x-c at night terminating the x-c at a control tower airport doing the 10 takeoffs and landings logging all this time as 'performing the duties of pilot in command'. Fly slow and you will complete about 5 hours of the 10 required. Do another x-c or or local area flight bringing the 'performing duties of pilot in command' up to 10 hours.
20 hours complete! time for check ride.