FAR interpretation

[jai6638]

Hello there! I am currently a student pilot here in Connecticut, USA. I just turned 16 a few weeks ago and according to my instructor, i should be done with my private pilot course by april or so. According to the FAA, i would have to wait until december ( when i turn 17 ) to take my private pilot FAA checkride.

I was hoping to progress in my training ( i hope to become a commercial pilot ) ....

1) What are my options with regards to progressing in my training or getting around this underage issue besides having to stop flying for 5-6 months?

2) If I started my instrument rating training, would i be able to satisfy the 50 required PILOT IN COMMAND solo cross country hours required
to get the rating by merely solo'ing using my student pilot certificate? I am not sure if I would qualify as the PIC. Imo, I would be PIC for the flight although technically, I do not have the final authority since my instructor he signs me off for each cross country and is responsible. I'd appreciate it if someone could help in interpreting the FAR's for me.


Thanks much

[slim_slag]

1) What are my options with regards to progressing in my training or getting around this underage issue besides having to stop flying for 5-6 months?

None, you have to wait. The FAA can waiver anything, but you aren't going to get them to waiver this. Why do you think you have to stop flying?

2) If I started my instrument rating training, would i be able to satisfy the 50 required PILOT IN COMMAND solo cross country hours required
to get the rating by merely solo'ing using my student pilot certificate? I am not sure if I would qualify as the PIC. Imo, I would be PIC for the flight although technically, I do not have the final authority since my instructor he signs me off for each cross country and is responsible. I'd appreciate it if someone could help in interpreting the FAR's for me.

Only a judge or FAA general counsel can give an authoritative interpretation of the FARs, IMO. But I would say your time as student pilot would count as PIC. You are PIC by regulation and there is nothing to say that student PIC doesn't count for experience when applying for an instrument rating. Of course you have final authority if you are solo as a student, if you have a problem in flight you have authority to ignore the FARs as you see fit (but be prepared to tell the FAA why, and they have authority to remove your ability to fly again). Why not call your local FSDO and see what that have to say about it, or even better study the FARs. You should be able to explain the FARs to the examiner when you take your test.

Why do you want to rush?

[jai6638]

Why do you want to rush?

well even if I try and reduce the number of times I fly, I dont think it'd take me a year to finish the rest of my PPL. probably 5-6 months max ..

Why do you think you have to stop flying?

Well I dunno... From a training standpoint, there would be nothing much for me to learn once im done perfecting my PPL manuevers. I could do solo cross countries ,etc but i figured i was better of learning something new ( instrment training or nything else you can recommend )

With regards to the FAA interpretation, I guess ill contact the local FSDO and they shall


Thanks

[wesp]

First of all for a CPL the age limit is 18. So you have to wait to do your CPL exam anyway.

You can however start instrument training and as soon as you turn 17 do your PPL and IFR checkride.

All the hours you fly solo are of course PIC hours and of course they count. (There's nobody else to save your ass)

You can technically do your all your training without even taking the PPL checkride and do CPL straight away.

[englishal]

Solo X/C is PIC time, though bear in mind your CFI will have to endorse your logbook for every single destination (AFAIK).

The FAA also has a funny little thing called "performing the duties of Pilot in Command". This is mainly used for the ME ratings where the FAA realises that no one in their right mind would rent you a twin to get PIC hours without a rating. Not sure if it could also apply in your case in a single, so you could actually get "PIC" hours with an instructor onboard somehow.........probably not.

Wasn't there a 13 year old girl who flew across the USA a few years back?

[slim_slag]

There was an 8 year old, then a 7 year old tried to beat it, and died in Colorado apparently due to pressure applied on the CFI by the father to meet a schedule of TV appearances :( The dead CFI took the blame as he was in charge and should have said no. They don't recognise these record attempts any more as a result.