ATP Checkride Qual. Question

[your_dreamguy]

Hey Everyone,

I have a question about being qualified for your ATP checkride.

1500 TT is a requirement. However, I've heard you can use 100 hours of Sim time towards the 1500 hours. However, I've also heard that it can be 50 hours.

In other words, you can go for your ATP ride with 1400 TT and 100 sim?
Or is it 1450TT and 50 sim?

Finally, does the sim time have to be the same as your class rating? For example, if you're going for your ATP-MEL, the number of sim hours would need to be a multi-engine sim and any SEL sim time wouldn't count (like a Frasca 141)?

Could you guys help clarify all this for me?

Thanks!

 

[Rank&File]

Wouldn't a Frasca 141 be considered a flight training device (FTD) and not a simulator? I have no clue, but I think there is a difference. Someone please correct me if that's not the case.

 

[flyhard]

I believe that it is 50 hours in a FAA sim or FTD, double check the regs it spells it out. I do know it is not AMEL specific it could be ASEL just as well. Just make sure the other requirements like night, x-country, instrument, ect. is met.

 

[chrisdahut24]

61.159 says you can credit 25 hours of simulator or FTD towards your ATP in order to help meet the 75 hours of instrument time. However, you can credit up to 50 hours if the sim or FTD time was done in an airplane sim under part 142. Then it goes on to say that not more then 100 hours may be obtained in a sim or FTD to meet the total aeronautical experience requirement (providing it was provided under part 142).

hmmm now I'm confused.

 

[chrisdahut24]

oh ok I got it (I think). You need 75 hours of Instrument time. If you only have 50 hours of instrument time, you can make up the rest with sim/FTD time. If you were fortunate enough to do 50 hours of part 142 sim training at this point in your career, then you only need 25 hours of instrument time, and a whopping 50 hours of sim/FTD time can be credited as instrument time.

So long as you aren't crediting more then it's fair share as sim/FTD time, then you can use up to 100 hours of part 142 sim./FTD time to help meet the total 1500 total requirement.

I think I cracked the code! I'm so excited.

 

[chrisdahut24]

NOTE: Just realized my previous post was based on info. from a 1999 FAR/AIM (only one I have lying around). I'd check a newer version to make sure these requirements are still the same.

 

[avbug]

I don't understand the confusion. There is no lack of clarity, and there is no contradiction. Dig our your copy of 14 CFR 61, and read it. Chrisdahut is correct.

You may credit up to 100 hours of simulator or FTD experience toward the 1,500 total hours. This is clearly defined under 61.159(a)(5). This 100 hours must have been gained in an approved course, under Part 142.

Of the 1,500 total hours, 75 must be instrument time. of those 75 hours, 61.159(a)(3)(i) states that you may use a maximum of 25 hours of sim or FTD experience. If that time has been under a Part 142 certificate holder during an approved course, the maximum amount is 50 hours.

Therefore, you may credit up to 100 hours sim/FTD toward the 1,500 total, if you meet the appropriate requirements. You may credit up to 50 hours of sim or FTD time toward the 75 hours of instrument experience, if that time meets the appropriate requirements.

Otherwise, an applicant may not receive credit for more than 25 hours of sim/FTD experience. This applies to the local flight school FTD Frasca 142, as previously asked.

 

[chrisdahut24]

Wouldn't a Frasca 141 be considered a flight training device (FTD) and not a simulator? I have no clue, but I think there is a difference. Someone please correct me if that's not the case.

Your right. SImulator and FTD are defined in 61.1. A Simulator must have both a force cueing and visual system, where as an FTD does not need either. The size of the visual system in the simulator must also meet certain parameters (can't be bothered to quote them though!)

 

[bigD]

lol! I was just in the middle of writing a post about how Avbug was probably going to step in here and tell us all how silly we are for thinking the regs are convoluted! I must be psychic!

 

[chrisdahut24]

haha! I was trying to be the hero of the day and be the first one to answer the question. I knew Avbug would probably come along soon and steal all the glory for himself, so I initially did a bit of a cr@appy job reading and interpreting the reg! But I still beat him to it. I win!