COMMERCIAL PILOT
The Mile High City
A client in Denver, CO, requires urgent transportation for a business meeting on a Thursday morning. He doesn't have his own airplane but you work for a charter company. Weather reports indicate gusty winds at Denver and turbulence over the Rockies. The client insists on an on-time arrival, as missing the meeting could result in losing a key contract.
PILOT LOGBOOK AND DOCUMENTATION
Logbook eligibility reports like the one from foreflight may pull in older flights that don't actually meet the requirements.
A copy of the letter of authorization from the simulator may be required in order to determine the number of hours that can be credited.
This should be included in your logbook even if your written test was signed-off through an online ground school. 61.127 also lists areas that an applicant for Commercial Pilot must have ground instruction logged.
Mix and matching requirements from your old paper logbook and your current digital logbook appears unorganized. Preferably bring only one version of your logbook. If you need both, they must match exactly.
Pay close attention to "in an airplane" or "single engine" when reading 61.129. Applicants have had hundreds or thousands of hours in helicopters, gliders, or balloons but still fell short of airplane cross country, airplane PIC, or airplane single engine specifics.
Provide a copy of endorsements that apply to the aircraft that you bring for the test. High performance, complex, etc.
FREQUENTLY MISUNDERSTOOD FLIGHT REQUIREMENTS
Those 10 hours should all be met via the same method. This includes the 300NM cross country and 5 hours night VFR experience with 10 landings at an airport with an operating control tower.
Cross counties are 50NM or greater to meet airplane experience requirements for an instrument rating 61.1(b)(ii). For example, some cross country time from a helicopter could count, but only if it is over 50nm.
Pay close attention to "in an airplane" or "single engine" when reading 61.129. Applicants have had hundreds or thousands of hours in helicopters, gliders, or balloons but still fell short of airplane cross country, airplane PIC, or airplane single engine specifics.
Using TAA time to meet 61.129(a)(3)(ii) can be more difficult to justify, especially if the aircraft didn't originally come with the equipment that qualifies it as TAA. Be prepared to prove the aircraft used was equipped as technically advanced.
You must log ten hours of instrument training using a view-limiting device as part of the 20 hours of training required in the areas of 61.127(b)(1) to be eligible for the check ride.
8710 AND IACRA
At this point in your career, you've flown more airplanes and are flying more often. Please make sure your hours are as close as possible on checkride day but do not log anticipated hours to meet the requirements pre-maturely.
Use the type including model designator, for example CE-172-M. Only include hours in that make and model.
Use the type including model designator, for example CE-172-M. Only include hours in that make and model when entering hours in the "aircraft to be used for the test" section of IACRA.
Make sure simulators are split out on the application from actual aircraft time. Also split out BATD, ATD, and FFS.
You will need to login to IACRA on the day-of the checkride to sign your application. Most people use their own device because that is where their password is saved. Make sure pop-up blockers are turned off on your device.
Mismatch is an automatic disqualification. This must be corrected by your FSDO. Be prepared to provide proof of citizenship for the country indicated.
Submit any address (or name changes) through appropriate channels well before the check ride. All personal information should match unless specific exceptions are communicated and arranged in advance.
Be sure to complete the class totals and fill out your airplane PIC time as well as carry down your simulator totals. Simulator time should be dual received.
Select DO NOT USE or be prepared to show proof that your SSN is correct.