Commercial pilot requirements & training questions

In the next few months I plan on getting my commercial single engine
land and multi engine ratings. I'm totally baffled by the aeronautical
experience requirements though.

FAR 61.129 is pretty clear that SEL and MEL each have required dual and
solo cross countries and night flight. However I have read in this
group, and been told by my CFI, that you don't have to do the ME cross
countries if you are doing it as an add-on to CSEL. Where is this
documented?

I was also told that you don't have to do the instrument training
portion of the CSEL if you are already instrument rated. I would like
to believe this but don't see how it could be true.

Finally, any thoughts about the least expensive and fastest way to get
CSEL, CMEL, CFI, CFII, and MEI? I have about 200 hours, PPL (ASEL)
w/instrument rating.

"Yossarian" wrote in message
oups.com...
In the next few months I plan on getting my commercial single engine
land and multi engine ratings. I'm totally baffled by the aeronautical
experience requirements though.

FAR 61.129 is pretty clear that SEL and MEL each have required dual and
solo cross countries and night flight. However I have read in this
group, and been told by my CFI, that you don't have to do the ME cross
countries if you are doing it as an add-on to CSEL. Where is this
documented?

For the Commercial SEL you would need to meet the requirements of 61.129.
The MEL then becomes an additional class rating and 61.63(c) applies

Kris


61.63 (c) Additional class rating. Any person who applies for an additional
class rating to be added on a pilot certificate:
(1) Must have an endorsement in his or her logbook or training record from
an authorized instructor and that endorsement must attest that the applicant
has been found competent in the aeronautical knowledge areas appropriate to
the pilot certificate for the aircraft class rating sought;
(2) Must have an endorsement in his or her logbook or training record from
an authorized instructor, and that endorsement must attest that the
applicant has been found proficient in the areas of operation appropriate to
the pilot certificate for the aircraft class rating sought;
(3) Must pass the required practical test that is appropriate to the pilot
certificate for the aircraft class rating sought;
(4) Need not meet the specified training time requirements prescribed by
this part that apply to the pilot certificate for the aircraft class rating
sought unless the person holds a lighter-than-air category rating with a
balloon class rating and is seeking an airship class rating and
(5) Need not take an additional knowledge test, provided the applicant holds
an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, or airship rating at that pilot
certificate level.

Yossarian wrote:
FAR 61.129 is pretty clear that SEL and MEL each have required dual and
solo cross countries and night flight. However I have read in this
group, and been told by my CFI, that you don't have to do the ME cross
countries if you are doing it as an add-on to CSEL. Where is this
documented?

14 CFR 61.63(c)(4)

note that you may want to read the FAR more thoroughly now that
you are aiming for the commercial...

I was also told that you don't have to do the instrument training
portion of the CSEL if you are already instrument rated. I would like
to believe this but don't see how it could be true.

14 CFR 61.65 (notice the lack of reference to 'commercial' or 'private'
or whatsnot certificate)


Finally, any thoughts about the least expensive and fastest way to get
CSEL, CMEL, CFI, CFII, and MEI? I have about 200 hours, PPL (ASEL)
w/instrument rating.

how would I know? funny to read 'least expensive' in the same
sentence as 'fastest' or CMEL, etc. :-))

--Sylvain

Finally, any thoughts about the least expensive and fastest way to get
CSEL, CMEL, CFI, CFII, and MEI?

Looking for a bargain in flight training is like looking for a bargain
in a brain surgeon.

Jose
--
Money: what you need when you run out of brains.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.

True,
But no one wants to pay more for their surgery than is reasonable.

"Jose" wrote in message
. ..
Finally, any thoughts about the least expensive and fastest way to get
CSEL, CMEL, CFI, CFII, and MEI?

Looking for a bargain in flight training is like looking for a bargain in
a brain surgeon.

Jose
--
Money: what you need when you run out of brains.
for Email, make the obvious change in the address.