A flight instructor who applies for an additional rating on that certificate must have a minimum of how many hours as pilot in command in the category and class of aircraft appropriate to the rating sought?

A flight instructor who applies for an additional rating on that certificate must have a minimum of how many hours as pilot in command in the category and class of aircraft appropriate to the rating sought?

• A. 5
• B. 10
• C. 15
• D. 20

Answer: (C)

Having enough hands-on command experience in the specific aircraft type is the key idea here. When an instructor applies for an additional rating, they must already have a minimum amount of time serving as pilot in command in the same category and class of aircraft they’ll be rating others to fly. This ensures they’ve demonstrated real-world experience and decision-making in that exact aircraft before teaching it to students. The minimum required is 15 hours of PIC time in the category and class of aircraft relevant to the rating sought. This level shows the instructor has meaningful experience with the aircraft’s handling, performance, and normal and abnormal operations from the pilot-in-command perspective. Five or ten hours would not meet the FAA requirement, while twenty hours would exceed the minimum but isn’t the required minimum.

Having enough hands-on command experience in the specific aircraft type is the key idea here. When an instructor applies for an additional rating, they must already have a minimum amount of time serving as pilot in command in the same category and class of aircraft they’ll be rating others to fly. This ensures they’ve demonstrated real-world experience and decision-making in that exact aircraft before teaching it to students.

The minimum required is 15 hours of PIC time in the category and class of aircraft relevant to the rating sought. This level shows the instructor has meaningful experience with the aircraft’s handling, performance, and normal and abnormal operations from the pilot-in-command perspective. Five or ten hours would not meet the FAA requirement, while twenty hours would exceed the minimum but isn’t the required minimum.