Gyroplane/Helo

[AceCrackshot]

I heard from a local gyro guy that the best (read cheapest) way to get your helo rating is to first get a gyro plane rating, and add your helo on to that. I tried looking it up in the FAR, but wouldn't the flight time requirements have to be met in an actual helo? Does anyone have a good reference for requirements for adding on ratings?

 

[nosehair]

Add-On Ratings

FAR 61.63 spells out the requirements for add-ons. 61.63(b) is adding a new CATEGORY, and 61.63(c) is adding a new CLASS.
When adding a new category, you have to have all of the category times listed in the experience requirements for that category. i.e., adding helicopter to airplane you need at least 50 hours helicopter PIC time for the commercial (61.129 (c)(1).
When adding a new CLASS, you need not meet the specific time requirements (61.63 (c)(4), you only need the proficiency requirements to pass the PTS for the add-on. Just like adding a multi to a single.