as the DE was not acting as PIC, and shouldn't be doing any instructing, that doesn't count as commercial flying. they're acting in an official FAA function, not a pilot. its a funny grey area.

 

Flight instruction counts towards the part 121 duty limits.

Military time does not. Does CAP fall under military time for civilians?

DE time does not as it is not flight instruction? How about can a DE log the time? what about for failed checkrides?

 

Jedinein brings up a good point...I knew several DE's at my old flight school who flew for majors and were DE's on their days off...not sure how they did that. My CFI expired while I was in regional training...suppose I should reinstate it one of these days....

 

The rules which govern us as pilots are a combination of the written FAR's, written FAA interpretaions, Admin Law precedent, and FAA enforcement philosophy.

Criminal and Civil law are also affected by precedent, but in those cases the precise wording of the written law is critical.

In FAR admin law, there seems to be far more allowance for interpretation of intent and practicality and this has been traditionally allowed by the ultimate arbiters (the NTSB).

In the case of DPE's, the FAA simply chooses to interpret a grey area in favor of their DPE's. This is probably because the FAA is obviously on good terms with the DPE community, and it also makes sense in that they want experienced, competent DPE's. If the FAA took a draconian approach to a DPE's commercial flying, the only people interested in being DPE's would be folks who never got beyond part 91 piston engines. It's probably best to have DPE's with a broad and diverse perspective on commercial aviation.

 

CAP is just volunteer flying, thats all. Its completely un-compensated. That being said, I think the best piece of advice before flying anything extra is to let your company know what your doing. If they say no, then so be it. However, if you do it behind their backs you're probably not going to be given the benefit of any "grey" area.

I know, I know, this idea seems a little too much "kool-aid" like, but I doubt any union will provide any protection for items such as this.

 

Furthermore, CAP has specific exemptions from the FAA regarding pilots being able to log time for compensated flying when the flight is funded and/or approved by the US Air Force.

There are ALOT of airline guys flying in Civil Air Patrol, ranging from actual and simulated search and rescue, disaster support, Cadet instruction and orientation flights, and giving approval checkrides to other members. They tell me their airlines have no problem with CAP flying.

 

Yes, but the question is, "Does CAP time count towards FAR part 121 duty time limits?"

 

I don't know where it's in writing, but the CAP is the Auxilliary of the US Air Force so legit CAP flying is most likely exempt from 135/121 limits, just like military flying. I'm sure this is the case for search and rescue missions, and probably for CFI work too. Your local CAP official could tell you for certain.

 

How about if you solely teach in a simulator? Not actual aircraft instruction.

 

Ground training, including SIM instruction, does NOT count towards flight time limits at all.

It also does not count towards any duty time limits, unless you do the training for the 121 airline whom you also fly for.

If you just need money, feel free to do GA ground and sim instruction all you like.