turbopropulsion

Hello there, have been a member of PpRune for a while and decided to join this site.

Interested to hear roughly how many hours it took you to complete:

1 - your instrument rating

2 - your CPL with the multi add on.

I always find it hilarious when FTOs quote you the bare minimum. Some honest input would be most appreciated.

Thanks

zondaracer

FTO is a European term. Anyhow, in the US, my instrument rating took 35 hours. I did it part 141 and completed it in the minimum time. I also did my commercial certificate part 141 and I did the course in 120 hours (minimum time) and total time was 230. I had 75 hours when I started my instrument rating. Multi add on was a few hours more, don't know exactly how many but less than 15. I also have an EASA commercial license and I needed 10 hours for the commercial single and did the commercial multi and IR in the minimum time advertised by the school. Totally doable but you have to be very focused. There are also plenty of people who can't come anywhere near the minimums but it's possible for many.

badflaps

Count on 250+ unless you are "Winkle" and he is gone.

zondaracer

If you decide to train in Europe, most students finish in the minimum required time. The flight tests for private and commercial are a bit easier than in he USA.

turbopropulsion

Ah, what is the equivalent in the US for 'FTO' then?

Sounds like you absolutely aced your exams zonda. I haven't heard all that many stories similar to yours.

I just ask because I would like to make a more realistic estimate of costs for my training. The school doesn't seem to concede that it MAY WELL take more hours for me to complete the IR and commercial tickets. It's like I'm talking to a brick wall, they keep giving me anecdotes from previous students.

Quick question zonda - how did you navigate the 50 hour PIC x country minimum requirement for the IR if you finished it in the minimum 35 hours? This may be a stupid question but I can't seem to figure it out. I assume you took the IR checkride on the 35 hr minimum time, passed it, then started building time for the commercial, so in effect, your IR was only current after you built enough time to satisfy the 50hour PIC x country requirement?

Sorry, that's a right mouthful, hard to convey this online.