Outline:

1. Understanding Eligibility

   • How to ensure you meet all FAA experience criteria under 61.129.

   • Overview of total flight hours, aircraft category/class specifics, and logging practices.

2. Core Hour Requirements

   • 250 hours total flight time.

     • 100 hours in powered aircraft (50 in airplanes).

     • 100 hours PIC time (50 in airplanes).

     • 50 hours cross-country (10 in airplanes).

   • Includes:

     • 20 hours of training (dual received).

     • 10 hours of solo or PDPIC (Performing the Duties of PIC with CFI onboard).

     • 10 hours instrument training with a CFII.

     • 10 hours in complex, turbine, or TAA aircraft (any combination).

3. Detailed Flight Time Breakdown

   • 2-hour cross-country by day (VFR or IFR; >100 NM).

   • 2-hour cross-country by night (VFR or IFR; >100 NM).

   • 3 hours checkride prep within 2 calendar months.

   • 1 solo or PDPIC cross-country: ≥300 NM, 3 landings, 1 point >250 NM.

   • 5 night VFR T/O and landings at a towered airport.

4. Logging Requirements

   • Instrument training: Must meet 61.129(a)(3)(i) with clear logbook references.

   • Use exact FAR citations in log entries.

   • PDPIC and dual instruction must not be logged simultaneously.

   • Solo and PDPIC are distinct; ensure clarity in remarks.

5. Understanding Dual vs. Solo/PDPIC

   • Dual training (20 hrs) and Solo/PDPIC (10 hrs) are non-combinable categories.

   • Solo/PDPIC flights must be clearly logged separately, with instructor present in PDPIC.

6. Night Training Clarification

   • Can begin at end of civil twilight, not 1 hour after sunset (common misconception).

   • Civil twilight times available in ForeFlight under Airports > Solar Info.

7. Initial Certification (ASEL) Considerations

   • XC time gained before private certificate does not count toward commercial.

   • Must fulfill all required components after Private Pilot certificate is earned.

8. Additional Category Rating Considerations

   • If holding a commercial certificate in another category (e.g., Helicopter):

     • 150 total hours required for rotorcraft.

     • Must meet airplane-specific requirements separately.

     • Use of PDPIC allowed toward airplane PIC time.

     • Specific endorsements (A.74, A.1, A.2) required.

     • No retake of knowledge test needed.

9. Additional Class Ratings

   • Adding same-level class (e.g., ASES to ASEL):

     • No new knowledge test required.

     • No additional flight hours required.

     • Checkride based on ACS Appendix 1 tasks.

10. CFI Bootcamp Training Resources

    • Teach Brief-Fly: Visual maneuver briefings.👉 Teach Brief-Fly

    • Smart Study Pro: Covers all CFI ACS knowledge and risk elements.👉 Smart Study Pro

    • CFI Online + Flight Package:👉 Online CFI Course

    • CFI Membership Access (230+ lessons):👉 Power Hour Library