Qualifications & Regulations

Question 1

What are the aeronautical experience requirements for a helicopter commercial pilot certificate?

Answer 1

• 150 total time
• 100 hrs in a powered aircraft, 50 in a helicopter
• 100 hrs PIC, 35 in a helicopter, 10 XC in helicopter
• 20 hour dual including 5 hrs instrument, 2 hr day XC with 50 NM straight line, 2 hr night XC, and 3 hrs in last 2 calendar months
• 10 hrs solo including 1 XC with 3 points of landing and 50 NM, and 5 hrs night VFR with 10 takeoffs and 10 landings

Question 2

What priveleges apply to a commercial pilot?

Answer 2

May act as PIC:
* carrying persons or property for hire
* for compensation or hire

61.133

Question 3

What does the term commercial operator refer to?

Answer 3

A person who, for compensation or hire, engages in the carriage by aircraft in air commerce of persons or property, other than as an air carrier or foreign carrier under part 375.

There is a difference between a pilot acting in accordance with their commercial pilot priveleges vs an aircraft acting in a commercial carriage capacity.

Question 4

What does the term “holding out” mean?

Answer 4

A carrier is holding out when they represent themselves as willing to furnish transportation within the limits of it’s facilities to any person who wants it.

Basically if the general public comes to you and asks you to fly them and you agree, you are probably holding out. Any form of advertising is a clear sign of holding out.

Question 5

Explain the difference between your commercial pilot priveleges and the operational authority required to conduct a flight for compensation or hire.

Answer 5

The priveleges and limitations conferred on pilots are separate and distinct from the operational authority required to conduct the flights. A person who holds a cert may act as PIC of an aircraft operated for compensation or hire and may carry persons or property for hire if done in accordance with an operator certificate under part 119. If the aircraft is generating revenue or benefit, it is also considered to be acting commercially.

AC 61-142

Basically in order to hold out, unless a valid exception from operational certification applies, a commercial/ATP pilot must be operating in accordance with an air carrier cert or operating cert under part 119. These are typically operated then under part 121 or part 135 operational approvals.

Question 6

Would being both the pilot and the provider of an aircraft to someone for compensation or hire require the pilot to also be in possession of a part 119 operating cert?

Answer 6

Generally if you are being compensated for providing a service to another person and have operational control of the aircraft in which that service is provided, you are required to have been issued an operating cert to conduct that operation under part 135, or part 121 or 125 if larger aircraft and more complex operations are involved.

Question 7

Define the term operational control.

Answer 7

The exercise of authority over initiating, conducting, or terminated a flight. Not to be misconstrued as PIC. It involves 3 basic areas:

• Flight Crew
• Aircraft
• Flight Management

1.1

Question 8

What is common carriage?

Answer 8

Refers to the carriage of passengers or cargo as a result of advertising the availability of the carriage to the public. A carrier becomes a common carrier when it “holds out” to the public as willing to furnish transportation within the limits of its facilities to any person who wants it. 4 elements define a common carrier:

• Holding out or a willingness
• to transport persons or property
• from place to place
• for compensation or hire

AC 61-142, AC 120-12

Question 9

What are examples of factors the FAA would consider in determining whether an operator is holding out?

Answer 9

Whether the operator is using:

• Agents, agencies, or salespeople—people who obtain passenger traffic from the general public and collect them into groups to be carried by the operator
• Print publications—advertising in print
• Internet—advertising online
• Websites—posting of a flight on a website accessible to the general public, or a segment of the general public
• Social media—in order to avoid holding out, a pilot would have to reach out to a defined and limited group of people with whom they have an ongoing, pre-existing relationship apart from expense sharing
• Apps—the use of mobile or electronic devices to advertise flights for cost sharing under 61.113(c) is holding out
• Email—an email among close friends, asking to share operating expenses. However, sending an email to every friend, aqcuaintance or colleague, or contact is holding out
• Personal Solicitation and reputation/course of conduct—Generally, if you’re being compensated for providing a service to another person and have “operational control” of the aircraft that the service is provided with, you’re going to have to be issued a part 119 cert to conduct that operation under part 135, or 121 or 125 if larger aircraft/more complex ops are involved.

AC 61-142

Question 10

Determine if either of the following 2 scenarios are common carriage ops

1. I am a local businessperson and require a package to be flown to a distant destination ASAP. I will pay you to fly my airplane to deliver this package.
2. I am a local businessperson and require a package to be flown to a distant destination ASAP. You reply you can do the job for a fee. You promptly line up a local rental aircraft you’re checked out in and deliver the package.

Answer 10

1. You aren’t in operational control of the aircraft and are just being paid for your pilot services to fly the aircraft for the owner.
2. Considered common carriage as an operation because you are holding out by having a general willingness to provide a customer with both an aircraft and the pilot services for compensation/hire

Question 11

Determin if the following scenarios would be considered common carriage

1. A pilot who owns his own aircraft has recently had his medical cert suspended. The pilot normally flies himself to business meetings and has asked you as a pilot to fly the aircraft for him until he can get his medical back. The pilot will pay you a daily rate to fly the aircraft while he attends meetings.
2. A pilot who owns her own aircraft has a friend who would like to use the aircraft to get to some meetings. The pilot offers access to the aircraft and your pilot services packaged for an hourly operation rate to the friend, who will pay for the use.

Answer 11

1. The pilot is acting on their commercial cert priveleges, while the aircraft operational control remains with the owner who is securing (hiring) the pilot to fly for them. Not holding out.
2. The owner is providing a package of aircraft+pilot for compensation, which would constitute holding out and requires a commercial operator cert.

Question 12

What are the 3 types of ops that require a part 119 cert?

Answer 12

• Ops as a direct air carrier
• Ops as a US commercial operator
• Ops when common carriage is not involved as an operator of US registered civil airplanes with a seat config of 20+ pax or a max payload of 6k lbs or more (part 125)

119.5

Question 13

What are the two basic types of certs issued under part 119?

Answer 13

• Air Carrier Certificate—issued to applicants who plan to conduct interstate, foreign, or overseas transportation, or to carry mail
• Operating Certificate—issued to applicants who plan to conduct intrastate common cairrage ops and certain applicants who do not conduct common carriage ops

119.5, drs.faa.gov

Question 14

What are the four types of ops that do not involve common carriage?

Answer 14

• Non-common carriage
• Ops in which persons or cargo are transported without compensation or hire
• Ops not involving the transportation of persons or cargo
• Private carriage

110.2, 119.3

Non-common carriage and private carriage are commercial because they involve compensation/hire. Ops in which persons or cargo are transported without compensation/hire and ops not involving the transport of persons or cargo are non-commercial

Question 15

Define non-common carriage.

Answer 15

Involves carriage of persons/property for compensation or hire, but there is no holding out. Requires the issuance of an operating certificate. Ops are conducted under parts 125 or 135.

drs.faa.gov

Question 16

Define private carriage.

Answer 16

Involves the carriage of persons/property for compensation/hire with limitations on the number of contracts. The carriage of persons/property for compensation/hire under a contractual business arrangement between the operator and another party, which did not result from the operator holding out, is considered to be private carriage. Private carriage ops require the issuance of an operating certificate.

drs.faa.gov

Question 17

What is the difference between a wet lease and a dry lease involving an aircraft?

Answer 17

Wet Lease—A leasing arrangement where a person agrees to provide an aircraft and at least one crewmember. Eg. charter of an aircraft and crew to passengers under part 135.
Dry Lease—The leasing of an aircraft without the crew. You do not need an operating certificate as long as you do not carry persons/property for compensation/hire.

110.2, AC 91-37

Question 18

Describe a common form of a dry lease.

Answer 18

Include rental agreements and, in aircraft, trust arrangements and operating agreements. Under a dry lease, the compensation being paid is typically in the form of a rental payment in exchange for the lessee’s own use of the equipment being rented.

Question 19

Why do we care about the difference between a wet and dry lease?

Answer 19

The regulations that govern an aircraft’s operation will be different depending on who has operational control of the flight and whether the aircraft was wet leased or dry leased. If a wet lease, the operation will need an air carrier certificate and be conducted under part 121 or 135.

AC 91-37

Question 20

Describe the difference between part 91 Subpart F, 119, 121, 125, and 135.

Answer 20

Part 91 Subpart F—Generally corporate ops not involving common carriage
Part 119—Consolidates certification and ops specs requirements for persons who opearte in common carriage under parts 121 and 135. Also lists ops that do not require an air carrier or commercial operating certificate
Part 121—Establishes the regulations for air carriers flying for compensation or hire. These ops require issuance of an air carrier certificate and associated ops specs
Part 125—Establishes certification and operational rules for large airplanes having a seating capacity of 20 or more passengers or a maximum payload capacity of 6,000 lbs or more, when common carriage is not involved. These rules substantially upgrade the level of safety applicable to large airplanes formerly operated under part 91
Part 135—Governs commuter or on-demand operations; requires issuance of an air carrier or operating certificate and associated ops specs

Question 21

To act as a required flight crewmember of a civil aircraft, what must a pilot have in his/her posession or readily accessible in the aircraft?

Answer 21

• Pilot Certificate
• Government-issued photo ID
• Medical certificate appropriate to the operation

61.3

Question 22

If a certificated pilot changes their permanent mailing address and fails to notify the FAA of the new address, how long may the pilot continue to exercise the priveleges of their pilot certificate?

Answer 22

30 days after the date of the move.

61.60

Question 23

If a pilot certificate is lost or destroyed, a pilot may continue to exercise priveleges of that certificate provided they follow what procedure?

Answer 23

Request a replacement certificate via the FAA, using an application for a replacement of a lost or destroyed certificate. They can print a temporary cert that is good fro 60 days until a replacement is received.

61.29

Question 24

What counts as cross-country flight time?

Answer 24

For the purposes of airman certificates and ratings the flight must include a point of landing that was at least a straight-line distance of more than 25 NM from the point of departure

61.1

Question 25

When would a commercial pilot be required to hold a type rating?

Answer 25

* Large aircraft (gross weight over 12,500 lbs) * turbojet-powered airplanes * other aircraft specified by the FAA through aircraft type certificate procedures | 61.31

Question 26

Copy your category, class, and type cards from private.

Answer 26

Do it.

Question 27

Can a commercial pilot carry a passenger in an aircraft operated in formation flight?

Answer 27

Not for hire. | 91.111

Question 28

Can a commercial pilot carry passengers in a restricted, limited, or experimental category aircraft?

Answer 28

No person my carry persons or property for hire on a restricted, limited, or experimental category of aircraft. | 91.313, 91.315, 91.319

Question 29

When may a commercial pilot log flight time as SIC?

Answer 29

* If qualified to SIC requirements of 61.55 and occupies a crewmember station in an aircraft that requires more than one pilot by the aircraft's type certificate, or * Holds appropriate category, class and inst. rating (if required for the flight) for the aircraft being flown, and more than one pilot is required under the typer certification of the aircraft or regs under which the flight is being conducted | 61.51

Question 30

What documents must you show an FAA inspector if ramp-checked?

Answer 30

* Pilot cert * medical cert * photo ID | 61.3

Question 31

Can a commercial pilot fly under part 91 for an owner of an aircraft as a commercial pilot?

Answer 31

Yes, as long as the owner does not receive compensation for the transportation of passengers or property. Although the owner delegates functions of operational control to the commercial pilot, the owner still has full legal responsibility for the pilot's actions. This would constitute private carriage. | 91.147

Question 32

What compliance beyond a commercial pilot certificate must a pilot ensure is in place before offering commercial air tour flights in a local area?

Answer 32

Must apply for and receive a Letter of Authorization from the FAA Flight Standards office and register and implement a drug and alcohol testing program. | 91.147

Question 33

Can you rent or lease your aircraft out to your friends and then have them employ you as a commercial pilot to fly them to their destinations?

Answer 33

Generally, a pilot who provides a "package" of aircraft and pilot services must have an operator certificate to conduct these operations. As you are in operational control of the aircraft and providing it for compensation or hire, you are holding out. In this case, both pilot and aircraft are operating commercially and would require an operating certificate.

Question 34

Can a commercial pilot be employed by a part 121 certificate holder (airline)?

Answer 34

No, an ATP certificate is required. | 121.436

Question 35

What are the requirements to remain current as a commercial pilot?

Answer 35

* Flight review in the last 24 months * To carry passengers, 3 take off and landings within last 90 days (full stop if at night) | 61.56, 61.57 ## Footnote Don't confuse make and model of aircraft with type/class/category; you can switch from a robinson 44 to an MD 500, etc. But remember that proficiency will probably be brought up. Takeoffs and landings may be accomplished in a flight simulator or flight training device that is approved by the FAA.

Question 36

Is a commercial pilot required to log all flight time?

Answer 36

Only flight time necessary for meeting the recent flight experience requirements of part 61. | 61.51

Question 37

When logging flight time in your logbook, what minimum information is required for each entry?

Answer 37

* **General**—date; total flight time; location of departure and arrival, or for flight sim/FTD the location of the lesson * **Type of Experience/Training**—solo; PIC; SIC; dual; flight sim or FTD * **Conditions of Flight**—day/night; actual/simulated instrument | 61.51

Question 38

As a commercial pilot, you get a job flying freight at night. Does your night currency count towards your currency to carry pax during the day?

Answer 38

Yes, as long as the landings were done in the same category, class and type. | 61.57

Question 39

What is the difference between currency and proficiency?

Answer 39

Currency is the bare minimum of the FAA regulatory requirements. Proficiency includes a consideration of the degree of competence, knowledge, and judgement required to safely complete an intended flight.

Question 40

How does establishing a personal minimums checklist reduce risk?

Answer 40

Pre-established hard numbers make it a lot easier to make a smart go/no-go or divert decision than just having a vague sense of whether you can deal with the conditions that face you. A written set of personal minimums also make it easier to justify difficult decisions to passengers who are trusting their lives to your aeronautical skill and judegment. | PHAK 2-17

Question 41

How can using a flight risk assessment tool help pilots better determine risk factors relating to their proficiency and the conditions of an intended flight?

Answer 41

Flight risk assessment tools allow a pilot to evaluate a series of questions including both their personal experience and the conditions related to an intended flight. In response to the questions, a pilot can more fully evaluate questions related to the PAVE model to evaluate a total risk score as calculated.

Question 42

How can flying an unfamiliar aircraft or an aircraft with unfamiliar avionics or flight display systems increase the total risk of flight?

Answer 42

If a pilot is unfamiliar with any systems, it adds to the workload and can contribute to a loss of situational awareness. This level of proficiency is critical and should be viewed as a requirement, similar to carrying an adequate supply of fuel. | PHAK ch 2

Question 43

You are currently en route to your destination and the sun has set. When can you begin logging flight time as night flight time?

Answer 43

At the end of evening civil twilight. | Part 1

Question 44

Under what conditions can you transport people from A to B for compensation/hire without falling under part 135 ops?

Answer 44

* **25** NM radius of airport * not more than **2** passengers are carried in the helicopter in addition to required flight crew * flight is made under day **V**FR * helicopter is certificated in **S**tandard category and complies with 100 hr * operator notifies the local **F**SDO at least 72 hrs before each flight and furneshes essential information the office requests * no more than **6** flights per calendar year * each flight is **A**pproved by the administrator * **C**argo is not carried | 119.1

Question 45

Are passengers allowed in restricted, limited, or experimental aircraft for hire?

Answer 45

No, nor is cargo. | 91.313

Question 46

How long is the external load certificate valid?

Answer 46

Expires at the end of the 24th month after the month in which it was issued or renewed. | 133.13

Question 47

Can you operate a helicopter for compensation or hire inside the shaded area of the height/velocity diagram?

Answer 47

It is not prohibited, but should be avoided.

Question 48

Can a helicopter be operated inside the shaded area of the height/velocity diagram over water?

Answer 48

Operation can only be momentary, and only when the helicopter is amphibious, has floats or floatation gear, and can be safely ditched in open water. | 91.1

Question 49

What are the instructions for helicopter operations at controlled airports?

Answer 49

Whenever possible, helicopter operations will be instructed to avoid the flow of fixed-wing aircraft to minimize overal delays. | AIM 4-3-17

Question 50

Are there any exceptions to avoiding the flow of fixed-wing aircraft at a controlled airport?

Answer 50

Because helicopter pilots are intimately familiar with the effects of rotor downwash, they are best qualified to determine if a given operation can be conducted safely. Some other exceptions would be IFR flights, avoidance of noise-sensitive areas, or use of runways/taxiways to minimize downwash. | AIM 4-3-17

Question 51

Are helicopters limited to the area from which they can take off or land?

Answer 51

Operations from nonmovement areas are conducted at pilot discretion and should be based on local policies, procedures, or letters of agreement. | AIM 4-3-17

Question 52

What is the "H" aligned with on a helipad?

Answer 52

Oriented to align with the intended direciton of approach | AIM 2-3-2

Question 53

What is the specific frequency the FCC has designated for air-air general aviation helicopters?

Answer 53

123.025 | AIM 4-1-11

Question 54

What are the communication procedures with a control tower when the transmitter is inoperative?

Answer 54

To acknowledge transmissions during daylight hours, hovering helicopters should turn in the direction of the controlling facility and flash the landing light. While in flight, helicopters should show acknowledgement by making shallow banks. At night, helicopters should acknowledge by flashing either the landing or search light. | 4-2-3

Question 55

What are the different types of external loads?

Answer 55

**Class A** — the external load cannot move freely or be jettisoned, and does not extend below the landing gear. * *ex. Cargo racks* **Class B** — the external load is jettison-able and is lifted free of land or water during ops * *ex. long line, bucket work* **Class C** — the external load is jettison-able and remains in contact with land or water during ops * *ex. wire pull* **Class D** — the external load is other than class A, B, or C and has been specifically approved by the FAA for that op * *ex. human external load*

Question 56

What certification is required for 133 ops?

Answer 56

Pilot must have external load cert issued under 133.17, and business name must also be on the certificate. | 133.11

Question 57

What are the requirements for issue of an external-load operator certificate?

Answer 57

**Rotorcraft** — The applicant must have the exclusive use of at least one rotorcraft that * Is type certificated under and meets the requirements of part 27 (normal) or 29 (transport), or of 21.25 (restricted) for the special purpose of rotorcraft external-load ops * Complies with certification provisions of subpart D that apply to rotorcraft-load combinations for which authorization is requested * Has a valid standard or restricted category airworthiness certificate **Personnel** * Applicant must hold, or have available the services of at least one person who holds a current commercial or ATP rotorcraft certificate * Applicant must designate one pilot as chief pilot for the rotorcraft external-load operations. They may also designate qualified pilots as assistant chief pilots to perform the functions of the chief pilot when the chief pilot is not readily available. These pilots must be acceptable to the administrator and hold a current commercial or ATP rotorcraft certificate * The holder of a rotorcraft certificate must report any change in chief or assistant chief pilots within 30 days to the FSDO **Knowledge and Skill** — The applicant or chief pilot must demonstrate satisfactory knowledge and skill to the administrator. *Knowledge* * Steps to be taken before starting ops, including a survey of the flight area * Proper method of loading, rigging, or attaching the external load * Performance capabilities of the rotorcraft to be used * Proper instructions of flight crew and ground workers * Appropriate rotorcraft-load combination flight manual *Skill* * Takeoffs and landings * Demonstration of directional control while hovering * Acceleration from a hover * Flight at operational speeds * Approaches to a landing or working area * Maneuvering teh external load into the release position * Demonstration of winch operation if a winch is installed to hoist the external load | 133.19, 133.21, 133.23

Question 58

What are the Part 119 exceptions?

Answer 58

**6** Flights per year * w/in 25 SM radius from airport * Max 2 passengers in addition to req crew * Day VFR only * Must comply with 100 hour * 72 hour notification to FSDO * each flight must be approved by FSDO * No cargo **F**erry Flights **I**nstruction of students **N**on-stop tours (part 136) * aircraft must have < 30 seats * max payload < 7500 lbs * must begin/end at same airport and remain w/in 25 SM * Must request LOA from FSDO (application must include anti drug/alcohol program registration) **E**mergency Mail Service **P**arachute operations **E**lectoral Candidates * carrying a candidate and/or affiliates * payment must be in accordance with election commission * **F**irefighting * **A**erial Photography * **B**anner Towing * **C**ropdusting/seeding/spraying/birdchasing * **H**elicopter ops in construction * **P**owerline/pipeline patrol **S**ling load/external load ops **S**mall UAS | 119.1e

Question 59

What elements are required for an air tour passenger briefing?

Answer 59

**S**eatbelts/Smoking **A**ir vents **F**ire extinguisher/floatation devices **E**xits/emergency water landing **T**ail rotor/raffic/talking/ **Y**our questions | 136.7

Question 60

What do the regulations state about life preservers for air tours?

Answer 60

If over water beyond shoreline, each occupant must wear a life preserver from before takeoff until flight is no longer over water. Life preserver must only be easily accessible to each occupant if any of the below are true: * helicopter has floats * helicopter is within autorotation distance of the shoreline for the duration of time operated over water * The aircraft is multiengine that can be operated with critical engine inop at a weight that allows it to climb at least 50 fpm at an altitude of 1000 AGL **No life preserver is required if overwater operation is only required for takeoff/landing** | 136.9

Question 61

When are floats required for air tours?

Answer 61

Single engine helicopter or multiengine that can be operated with critical engine inop at a weight that allows it to climb at least 50 fpm at an altitude of 1000 AGL **Not required if overwater operation is only required for takeoff/landing, or if operation is within autorotation distance of shoreline and occupants are wearling life preservers** | 136.11

Question 62

What is required for an inflatable flotation system for air tours?

Answer 62

* Activation switch on one of primary flight controls * System is armed when helicopter is over water beyond the shoreline and is flying at a speed that does not exceed the max speed prescribed in the AFM for flying with the system armed | 136.11

Question 63

What elements are required for a performance plan for air tours?

Answer 63

* weight and balance * HIGE/ HOGE * H/V diagram | 136.13

Question 64

Is a pilot required to have an agricultural certification for agricultural ops?

Answer 64

Yes, both pilot and company must be certified. | 137.11, 137.41

Question 65

Are you required to have a copy of the agricultural aircraft operator certificate in the aircraft?

Answer 65

Yes. | 137.33

Question 66

Are you required to have registration and airworthiness cert in the aircraft when conducting agricultural ops?

Answer 66

No, but they need to be available for inspection at the base from which the operation is conducted. | 137.33