Which FAA exams test 14 CFR 61.129?

This regulation is tested on the following FAA exams: CAX, FIA. These include the FAA Commercial Pilot (CAX), FAA Certified Flight Instructor (FIA).

Part 61Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors

14 CFR 61.129 — Aeronautical Experience: Commercial Pilot

Requires 250 hours total time for commercial certificate, including 100 hours PIC, 50 hours cross-country, and specific training requirements.

Regulation Text

For an airplane single-engine rating, a person must log at least 250 hours of flight time including: 100 hours in powered aircraft of which 50 hours must be in airplanes; 100 hours of PIC flight time including 50 hours in airplanes; 50 hours of cross-country flight time of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes; 20 hours of training including 10 hours of instrument training, 10 hours of training in a complex or TAA airplane; and 10 hours of solo or PIC time including one cross-country of at least 300 nm and 5 hours of night VFR.

Note: This is an excerpt. Refer to the full regulation in eCFR for the complete text.

Plain-English Explanation

A commercial pilot certificate requires 250 hours total flight time with specific breakdowns: 100 hours as PIC, 50 hours cross-country, and 20 hours of specialized training including complex aircraft and instrument work. The big solo requirement is a 300 nm cross-country. These hour requirements make the commercial certificate the most expensive rating to obtain. Part 141 programs can reduce the total to 190 hours.