Rotorcraft transition to Fixed-wing

[slapstick]

Any help would be appreciated:

I have a student who has a private rotorcraft certificate. He wants to add on the fixed-wing rating (I suppose this is an additional category on his certificate). I understand that he does NOT have to take the FAA written exam for a private pilot ASEL, and must accomplish only the tasks specified in the PTS for someone who is already rated in a rotorcraft. Here's my question:

Does he need to meet the aeronautical experience req'ments spelled out in FAR 61 for private pilot applicants (ie. 3 hrs hoodwork, 3 hrs night, a night dual XC, 5 hrs solo XC including the 150 nm solo XC, etc etc)??? I am guessing that he does, but that his rotorcraft experience counts toward these req'ments...

Also, the PTS states that he doesn't have to be quizzed on weather, navigation, and a few other things. But are these items fair game on an oral since he is expected to know this already as a private rotorcraft pilot?

Thanks in advance, everyone.

 

[Rick1128]

Reread the reg again. Usually there is something about time having to be in an airplane. Other than those requirements, his helicopter time will count.

Since this is an odd transition. It is normally the other way around. I would expect the examiner to ask a normal PP oral. And yes he is expected to know that stuff.

 

[slapstick]

FAR 61.63(b) says that for addition of a category rating, he must have received the req'd training and possess the aeronautical experience prescribed by this part that applies to the pilot certificate for the aircraft category/class rating sought.

And FAR 61.109(a), (Aeronautical Experience for an Airplane - Single Engine Rating), says for each req'ment that it has to be in a single engine airplane.


It just never distinguishes between applying for this rating as an add-on vs. applying with no previous flying experience (ie. helicopters). It seems there are no short-cuts as other instructors have suggested...

 

[Rick1128]

Slap, many of the items can be combined. There is nothing there that states that they are separate requirements. If it is put together right, I come up with 9 hours of dual and 10 hours of solo. It could take more than that depending on the student.

 

[slapstick]

Thanks, Rick. Since he got his rotorcraft in S. Africa and FSDO issued him the U.S. rotorcraft certificate, he's pretty shaky on some stuff, so it looks like I'll be fulfilling most of the req'ments as if he's just a newbie. Just wanted to know what the legal minimum was.