Personnel Licensing and Pilot Privileges/Limitations
Part 61 sets out pilot licences and ratings. The progression is recreational (RPL), private (PPL), commercial (CPL) and airline transport (ATPL), with type ratings and ratings for instrument, night and instructor privileges. The exam tests the minimum requirements, what a CPL may and may not do, and currency.
CPL requirements and privileges
A CPL applicant must be at least 18, hold a current Class 1 medical certificate, meet English language standards, pass the prescribed knowledge tests and flight test, and have at least 200 hours total flight time, including 100 hours as pilot in command and 50 hours cross-country as pilot in command, plus the required instrument and night experience. A CPL may act as pilot in command in commercial operations and may exercise PPL privileges. It does not carry ATPL privileges, does not permit IFR flight without an instrument rating, does not permit instruction without an instructor rating, and does not permit flight in a type for which a type rating is required but not held.
Currency and limitations
To carry passengers, a pilot needs three take-offs and three landings in the preceding 90 days in the same type; for night passenger carriage, three night take-offs and landings. A flight review is required every 24 months. The medical certificate must be current for the privileges exercised.
Worked example
A CPL last flew 100 days ago and now wants to take two friends flying. Because more than 90 days have passed, the pilot must complete three take-offs and landings before carrying passengers. If the flight is at night, those three must be at night.
Traps
- Saying a CPL may fly IFR without an instrument rating.
- Confusing CPL with ATPL privileges.
- Thinking the 90-day rule applies only to solo flight.
- Treating the flight review as annual.