Subpart E
Commercial Pilots
This subpart prescribes the requirements for the issuance of commercial pilot licenses and ratings, the conditions under which those licenses and ratings are necessary, and the general operating rules for persons who hold those licenses and ratings.
61.123 Eligibility
requirements: General.
To be
eligible for a commercial pilot license, a person must:
(a)
Be at
least 18 years of age and shall hold a current class 1 medical assessment
(b) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the ECAA may place such operating limitations on that applicant's pilot license as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.
(c) Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
(1) Conducted the required ground training or reviewed the person's home study on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in section 61.125 of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought; and
(2) Certified that the person is prepared for the required knowledge test that applies to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(d) Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in section 61.125 of this part;
(e) Receive the required training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
(1) Conducted the training on the areas of operation listed in section 61.127(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought; and
(2) Certified that the person is prepared for the required practical test.
(f) Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this subpart that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought before applying for the practical test;
(g) Pass the required practical test on the areas of operation listed in section 61.127(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought;
(h) Hold at least a private pilot license issued under this part or meet the requirements of section 61.73; and
(i) Comply with the sections of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
61.125 Aeronautical knowledge.
(a) General. A person who applies for a commercial pilot license must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor, or complete a home-study course, on the aeronautical knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought .
(b) Aeronautical knowledge areas.
(1) Air law. rules and regulations relevant to the holder of a commercial pilot licence, rules of the air; appropriate air traffic services practices and procedures;
(2) Aircraft general knowledge;
(i) principles of operation and functioning of power plants, systems and instruments;
(ii) operating limitations of appropriate aircraft and power plants; relevant operational information from the flight manual or other appropriate document;
(iii) use and serviceability checks of equipment and systems of appropriate aircraft;
(iv) maintenance procedures for airframes, systems and power plants of appropriate aircraft;
(3) Flight performance and planning;
(i) Effects of loading and weight distribution on handling, flight characteristics and performance; weight and balance calculations;
(ii) Use and practical application of take-off, landing and other performance data;
(iii) Pre-flight and en-route flight planning appropriate to operations under VFR; preparation and filing of air traffic services flight plans; appropriate air traffic services procedures; altimeter setting procedures;
(4) Human performance relevant to the commercial pilot license;
(5) Meteorology
(i) interpretation and application of aeronautical meteorological reports, charts and forecasts; use of, and procedures for obtaining, meteorological information, pre-flight and in-flight; altimetry;
(ii) aeronautical meteorology; climatologic of relevant areas in respect of the elements having an effect upon aviation; the movement of pressure systems, the structure of fronts, and the origin and characteristics of significant weather phenomena which affect take-off, en-route and landing conditions; hazardous weather avoidance; Navigation
(iii) air navigation, including the use of aeronautical charts, instruments and navigation aids; an understanding of the principles and characteristics of appropriate navigation systems; operation of airborne equipment;
(6) Operational procedures
(i) use of aeronautical documentation such as AIP, NOTAM, aeronautical codes and abbreviations;
(ii) appropriate precautionary and emergency procedures;
(iii) operational procedures for carriage of freight; potential hazards associated with dangerous goods;
(iv) requirements and practices for safety briefing to passengers, including precautions to be observed when embarking and disembarking from airplanes;
(7) Principles of flight
(i) principles of flight.
(ii) radiotelephony procedures and phraseology as applied to VFR operations; action to be taken in case of communication failure.
(8) Night and high-altitude operations;
(a) General. A person who applies for a commercial pilot license must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the areas of operation of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(b) Areas of operation.
(1) For an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation and operations, including weight and balance determination, aero plane inspection and servicing;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and seaplane base operations including operations to, from and transiting controlled airports, compliance with air traffic services procedures, radiotelephony procedures and phraseology, traffic pattern operations, collision avoidance precautions and procedures
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds including normal and cross-wind take-offs and landings, maximum performance (short field and obstacle clearance) take-offs; short-field landings;
(v) Performance maneuvers including flight at critically high airspeeds; recognition of, and recovery from, spiral dives;;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation including cross-country flying using visual reference, dead reckoning and radio navigation aids; diversion procedures;
(viii) Slow flight and stalls including basic flight maneuvers and recovery from unusual attitudes by reference solely to basic flight instruments; spin avoidance;
(ix) Emergency operations including abnormal and emergency procedures and maneuvers;
(x) High-altitude operations; and
(xi) Post flight procedures.
(2) For an airplane category rating with a multiengine class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation and operations, including weight and balance determination, aero plane inspection and servicing;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and seaplane base operations including operations to, from and transiting controlled airports, compliance with air traffic services procedures, radiotelephony procedures and phraseology, traffic pattern operations, collision avoidance precautions and procedures
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds including normal and cross-wind take-offs and landings, maximum performance (short field and obstacle clearance) take-offs; short-field landings;
(v) Performance maneuvers including flight at critically high airspeeds; recognition of, and recovery from, spiral dives;;
(vi) Navigation including cross-country flying using visual reference, dead reckoning and radio navigation aids; diversion procedures;
(vii) Slow flight and stalls including basic flight maneuvers and recovery from unusual attitudes by reference solely to basic flight instruments; spin avoidance;
(viii) Emergency operations including abnormal and emergency procedures and maneuvers;
(ix) Multiengine operations;
(x) High-altitude operations; and
(xi) Post flight procedures.
(3) For a rotorcraft category rating with a helicopter class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation including pre-flight operations, weight and balance determination, helicopter inspection and servicing;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and heliport operations including airport and traffic pattern operations, collision avoidance precautions and procedures; operations to, from and transiting controlled airports, compliance with air traffic services procedures, radiotelephony procedures and phraseology.
(iv) Hovering maneuvers;
(v) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(vi) Performance maneuvers including rapid deceleration (quick stop);
(vii) Navigation including cross-country flying using visual reference, dead reckoning and radio navigation aids; diversion procedures;
(viii) Emergency operations, including settling with power; simulated helicopter equipment malfunctions; authoritative approach and landing;
(ix) Special operations; and
(x) Post flight procedures.
(xi) basic flight maneuvers and recovery from unusual attitudes by reference solely to basic flight instruments; and
(4) For a rotorcraft category rating with a gyroplane class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Navigation;
(vii) Flight at slow airspeeds;
(viii) Emergency operations; and
(ix) Post flight procedures.
(5) For a powered-lift category rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and heliport operations;
(iv) Hovering maneuvers;
(v) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(vi) Performance maneuvers;
(vii) Ground reference maneuvers;
(viii) Navigation;
(ix) Slow flight and stalls;
(x) Emergency operations;
(xi) High-altitude operations;
(xii) Special operations; and
(xiii) Post flight procedures.
61.129 Aeronautical
experience.
(a) For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, a person who applies for a commercial pilot license with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
(2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least:
(i) 50 hours in airplanes; and
(ii) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.
(3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in section 61.127(b)(1) of this part that includes at least:
(i) 10 hours of instrument training of which at least 5 hours must be in a single-engine airplane;
(ii) 10 hours of training in an airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch propeller, or is turbine-powered, or for an applicant seeking a single-engine seaplane rating, 10 hours of training in a seaplane that has flaps and a controllable pitch propeller;
(iii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a single-engine airplane in day VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure;
(iv) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a single-engine airplane in night VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and
(v) 3 hours in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test.
(4) 10 hours of solo flight in a single-engine airplane on the areas of operation listed in section 61.127(b)(1) of this part, which includes at least:
(i) One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nautical miles total distance, with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 nautical miles from the original departure point; and
(ii) 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.
(b) For an airplane multiengine rating. Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, a person who applies for a commercial pilot license with an airplane category and multiengine class rating must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in airplanes.
(2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least:
(i) 50 hours in airplanes; and
(ii) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes.
(3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in section 61.127(b)(2) of this part that includes at least:
(i) 10 hours of instrument training of which at least 5 hours must be in a multiengine airplane;
(ii) 10 hours of training in a multiengine airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and controllable pitch propellers, or is turbine-powered, or for an applicant seeking a multiengine seaplane rating, 10 hours of training in a multiengine seaplane that has flaps and a controllable pitch propeller;
(iii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a multiengine airplane in day VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure;
(iv) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a multiengine airplane in night VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and
(v) 3 hours in a multiengine airplane in preparation for the practical test within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test.
(4) 10 hours of solo flight time in a multiengine airplane or 10 hours of flight time performing the duties of pilot in command in a multiengine airplane with an authorized instructor (either of which may be credited towards the flight time requirement in paragraph (b)(2) of this section), on the areas of operation listed in section 61.127(b)(2) of this part that includes at least:
(i) One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nautical miles total distance with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 nautical miles from the original departure point; and
(ii) 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight with a traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.
(c) For a helicopter rating. Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, a person who applies for a commercial pilot license with a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating must log at least 150 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in helicopters.
(2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least:
(i) 35 hours in helicopters; and
(ii) 10 hours in cross-country flight in helicopters.
(3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in section 61.127(b)(3) of this part that includes at least:
(i) 10 hours of instrument training in an aircraft;
(ii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a helicopter in day VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure;
(iii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a helicopter in night VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and
(iv) 3 hours in a helicopter in preparation for the practical test within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test.
(4) 10 hours of solo flight in a helicopter on the areas of operation listed in section 61.127(b)(3) of this part, which includes at least:
(i) One cross-country flight with landings at a minimum of three points, with one segment consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and
(ii) 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern).
(d) For a gyroplane rating. A person who applies for a commercial pilot license with a rotorcraft category and gyroplane class rating must log at least 150 hours of flight time as a pilot (of which 5 hours may have been accomplished in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of a gyroplane) that consists of at least:
(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 25 hours must be in gyroplanes.
(2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least:
(i) 10 hours in gyroplanes; and
(ii) 3 hours in cross-country flight in gyroplanes.
(3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in section 61.127(b)(4) of this part that includes at least:
(i) 5 hours of instrument training in an aircraft;
(ii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a gyroplane in day VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure;
(iii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a gyroplane in night VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and
(iv) 3 hours in a gyroplane in preparation for the practical test within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test.
(4) 10 hours of solo flight in a gyroplane on the areas of operation listed in section 61.127(b)(4) of this part, which includes at least:
(i) One cross-country flight with landings at a minimum of three points, with one segment consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and
(ii) 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern).
(e) For a powered-lift rating. Except as provided in paragraph (f) of this section, a person who applies for a commercial pilot license with a powered-lift category rating must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
(1) 100 hours in powered aircraft, of which 50 hours must be in a powered-lift.
(2) 100 hours of pilot-in-command flight time, which includes at least—
(i) 50 hours in a powered-lift; and
(ii) 50 hours in cross-country flight of which 10 hours must be in a powered-lift.
(3) 20 hours of training on the areas of operation listed in section 61.127(b)(5) of this part that includes at least:
(i) 10 hours of instrument training, of which at least 5 hours must be in a powered-lift;
(ii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a powered-lift in day VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure;
(iii) One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a powered-lift in night VFR conditions, consisting of a total straight-line distance of more than 100 nautical miles from the original point of departure; and
(iv) 3 hours in a powered-lift in preparation for the practical test within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test.
(4) 10 hours of solo flight in a powered-lift on the areas of operation listed in section 61.127(b)(5) of this part, which includes at least:
(i) One cross-country flight of not less than 300 nautical miles total distance with landings at a minimum of three points, one of which is a straight-line distance of at least 250 nautical miles from the original departure point; and
(ii) 5 hours in night VFR conditions with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.
(f) Permitted credit for use of a flight simulator or flight training device.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (i)(2) of this section, an applicant who has not accomplished the training required by this section in a course conducted by a training center certificated under part 142 of the ECARs may:
(i) Credit a maximum of 50 hours toward the total aeronautical experience requirements for an airplane or powered-lift rating, provided the aeronautical experience was obtained from an authorized instructor in a flight simulator or flight training device that represents that class of airplane or powered-lift category and type, if applicable, appropriate to the rating sought; and
(ii) Credit a maximum of 25 hours toward the total aeronautical experience requirements of this section for a helicopter rating, provided the aeronautical experience was obtained from an authorized instructor in a flight simulator or flight training device that represents a helicopter and type, if applicable, appropriate to the rating sought.
(2) An applicant who has accomplished the training required by this section in a course conducted by a training center certificated under part 142 of this chapter may:
(i) Credit a maximum of 100 hours toward the total aeronautical experience requirements of this section for an airplane and powered-lift rating, provided the aeronautical experience was obtained from an authorized instructor in a flight simulator or flight training device that represents that class of airplane or powered-lift category and type, if applicable, appropriate to the rating sought; and
(ii) Credit a maximum of 50 hours toward the total aeronautical experience requirements of this section for a helicopter rating, provided the aeronautical experience was obtained from an authorized instructor in a flight simulator or flight training device that represents a helicopter and type, if applicable, appropriate to the rating sought.
(3) Except when fewer hours are approved by the ECAA, an applicant for a commercial pilot license with an airplane or a powered-lift rating who has satisfactorily completed an approved commercial pilot course conducted by a training center certificated under part 142 of the ECARs need only have 190 hours of total to meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this section.
61.133 Commercial
pilot privileges and limitations.
(a) Privileges:
General. A person who holds a commercial pilot license may act as pilot in command of an aircraft:
(1) Carrying persons or property for compensation or hire, provided the person is qualified in accordance with this part and with the applicable parts of the ECARs that apply to the operation; and
(2) For compensation or hire, provided the person is qualified in accordance with this part and with the applicable parts of the ECARs that apply to the operation.
(b) Limitations.
A person who applies for a commercial pilot license with an airplane category or powered-lift category rating and does not hold an instrument rating in the same category and class will be issued a commercial pilot license that contains the limitation, “The carriage of passengers for hire in (airplanes) (powered-lifts) on cross-country flights in excess of 50 nautical miles or at night is prohibited.” The limitation may be removed when the person satisfactorily accomplishes the requirements listed in section 61.65 of this part for an instrument rating in the same category and class of aircraft listed on the person's commercial pilot license.
Refer to ECAR 61.56 , 61.57 and 61.58