A commercial pilot has never acted as second in command (SIC) of a turbojet airplane requiring a type rating and does not hold a type rating for that airplane. According to 14 CFR 61.55, what must this pilot accomplish before acting as SIC of that airplane?
- ANothing additional; holding a commercial pilot certificate authorizes SIC duties in any airplane
- BReceive and log ground and flight training on the aircraft's systems, performance, and emergency procedures, and satisfactorily complete a competency check within the preceding 12 calendar months
- CComplete an Airline Transport Pilot practical test in that airplane
- DLog at least 500 hours of pilot-in-command time in single-engine airplanes
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. Receive and log ground and flight training on the aircraft's systems, performance, and emergency procedures, and satisfactorily complete a competency check within the preceding 12 calendar months
14 CFR 61.55 requires a pilot without a type rating for the aircraft to receive and log ground and flight training on the airplane's systems, performance, and emergency procedures, and to satisfactorily complete a competency check given by an authorized instructor or examiner within the preceding 12 calendar months before acting as SIC.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A commercial certificate alone does not satisfy the SIC-in-type-rated-aircraft requirement.
- C. An ATP practical test is not required merely to act as SIC.
- D. There is no specific PIC single-engine hour requirement tied to SIC privileges under 61.55.
Second-in-Command Requirements (61.55)
A pilot without a type rating who wants to act as SIC of an aircraft requiring one must complete ground/flight training on that aircraft and pass a competency check within the preceding 12 months.
- Applies when SIC's certificate doesn't already include a type rating for the aircraft
- Training covers systems, performance, and emergency procedures
- Competency check must be within preceding 12 calendar months, logged in the pilot's logbook
Memory trick: No type rating? Train, check, and log it — every 12 months.