McKeeC

Howdy!

I'm currently a commercial helicopter guy looking to make the jump over to the airlines. Prior to flying helicopters I obtained my private + instrument SE fixed wing but it has been many years since I've exercised those privileges. I'm looking for the most efficient way to go from private SE to having both my commercial and multi and it seems like knocking them out at the same time might be the way to go. After looking through the ACS it seems like going from helicopter commercial to multi commercial does not require the regular commercial maneuvers such as lazy eights, eights on pylons, etc. After calling a local flight school I was told this wasn't the case though and was told it would be best to go the single engine commercial route first so I wouldn't have to do the commercial maneuvers in a multi-engine aircraft. So now I'm a bit confused and maybe am just misunderstanding how to read the ACS. So my two questions, if I have my commercial helicopter and go to take my commercial multi-engine without first doing commercial single-engine, are the commercial manuevers still required? Second, is this the best route to go or would it be more benefitial to do commercial single first? I am about 100 hours short of fixed wing PIC time for my R-ATP minimums but was looking at just building that time by renting rather than going the CFI route. Any opinions are welcome! Thanks

Xdashdriver

Chandelles, lazy eights, eights on pylons and steep spirals are not required for AMEL. It's quite clear in the Additional Rating Task Table for AMEL and it's clear from the table of contents that those maneuvers are only applicable to ASEL and ASES.

QRH Bingo

Assuming I am also reading the proper matrix in the commercial ACS, I agree that it appears the only maneuver to be accomplished in that section is Steep Turns.

You only need a minimum of 25 hours of multi time (if planning on going to the regionals) so renting any time beyond that is likely just wasting money unless you have access to an inexpensive multi.

So how to get the other 75 hours? You could just burn holes in the sky using your PPL in a single. Maybe go get checked out at your local flight school in their single engine to build some currency. Then after you feel comfortable, begin a multi course toward a Checkride. Plenty of people get their commercial multi without getting their commercial single.

UpwardInflow

Bad advice. I was given t he same advice at Trident Flight School in Ozark, AL by their chief pilot. I wanted to jump right into commercial AMEL and he told me that was “way more expensive” than getting the single commercial. That was inaccurate at best, and a flat out lie at worst. It resulted in me pausing my training for about a year before I figured out how wrong he was. About 8 hours and a check will get you your AMEL from your RW Commercial. The IFR rating is for ALL airplanes, not ASEL class specific. PM me if you have questions.

McKeeC

Well seeing as how the school I contacted only had a single aircraft (single engine) I'm sort of not suprised it was the answer I also received. Seems like a no-brainer to go straight into Commercial AMEL and then work at building time renting whatever single engine aircraft I can. I'm going to assume you wouldn't recommend Trident then? I've been calling around the area this week trying to get an idea of rental prices and it seems most are around $160/hr wet.

This is the plan, 25 hours of multi time then work towards the 100 hours of fixed wing PIC cross-country time.

rickair7777

You can usually tell when flight school salesmen/owners are lying because their lips will be moving.

Yes you can transition directly to commercial AMEL and skip a bunch maneuvers which you don't need for the airlines. The ACS is very clear on that, and it is definitive.

Yes you can build time in an ASEL using your PPL privileges.