Additional Category Rating (Private or Commercial Level Only)

Pilots are certificated for a particular category and class.  For example:

  • Category:  Airplane
  • Class:  Single-Engine Land

The requirements for adding a new category (ex. Rotorcraft) are more rigorous than for adding a new class (ex. Multi-Engine Land).

An applicant who wants to add an airplane category rating to an existing Private or Commercial certificate must:

  • Meet all the flight training and solo requirements of

For example:  You hold a Commercial Pilot certificate with Rotorcraft-Helicopter and Glider ratings and want to add an airplane single engine rating at the private level

You would have to complete:

  • All the flight requirements prescribed by 61.109
  • In this example, 40 hours
    • 10 Solo, and
    • 20 Dual

If you hold a pilot certificate in any powered aircraft you do not have to take a knowledge test [61.63].

  • So for example, if you hold a Commercial Glider certificate you are required to pass a knowledge test if you want to add an airplane single engine rating

An endorsement given to allow a pilot solo privileges in a category and class of aircraft not on their pilot certificate does not expire

  • Unless the endorsement specifies an expiration date

There is a difference between solo requirements for student pilots and certificated pilots getting an add-on.

  • Student pilots need a student pilot certificate and the required solo endorsements
  • Pilots going for an add-on do not need a student pilot certificate, just the solo endorsements [61.31(d)(2)]
    • However, as an instructor you need to be aware that because this is not a student pilot certificate and the solo endorsement falls under 61.31, the pilot getting an add-on needs to have a current flight review in the aircraft you are certificated for
      • For example, a helicopter pilot who hasn’t flown in 10 years and is seeking to get a fixed-wing add-on needs to be current in a helicopter for the solo endorsement to be valid

An applicant for an added category rating must be endorsed for the practical test, and the endorsement must include that you

  • Received training within the 2 calendar months preceding the month of the test
  • Are competent in the aeronautical knowledge appropriate to the rating, and
  • Are proficient in the areas of operation in the PTS/ACS for the test

For more information view FAR 61.63(b)