Rotorcraft to ASEL

[BrianKiker]

I have a friend that holds his Private for a helicopter. He would like to get his ASEL private license. What would his process be to get his ASEL? Would he essentially have to re do everything?

[Robbie]

This situation falls under the auspices of 61.63(b). Basically, what this reg states is that you:
-must receive the required training listed in 61.109(a);

-must have an endorsement that you've been found competent in the knowledge areas for the category sought;

-must have an endorsement that attests the applicant is proficient in the areas of operation applicable to the category sought;

-must pass the required practical test applicable to the category; and

-do not have to take a knowledge test.

You'll have to reference 61.109(a) for the following flight time requirements:
You must have 40 hours of flight time (this can be in any aircraft) and should include:
-20 hours of flight training from an instructor (in any aircraft); and
-10 hours of solo flight training.

Where you'll have to be specific to an airplane is that you must accomplish AT LEAST the following things:
-3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane
-Unless you want a restriction limiting you to day VFR, you'll have to do 3 hours of night flight in a single-engine airplane that includes a cross-country of over 100 nautical miles and 10 takeoffs and landings at an airport (some of this three hour requirement can count towards your 3 hour cross-country flight training requirement.
-3 hours of instrument training in a single-engine airplane. (again, some of this could count either during a night flight or cross-country flight)

Your solo time requirements:
-10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane that includes the following:
-5 hours of solo cross-country time
-One solo cross-country of at least 150 nautical miles total distance with landings at three points and one leg a total distance of at least 50 nautical miles.
-Three takeoffs and landings at an airport with an operable control tower.

In addition to these hour requirements, you must be proficient in the areas of operation that differ from helicopter category pilot certificates. You'll need training to become proficient in the following areas(I'm just listing the tasks within the Additional Rating Task Table in the front of the PTS):
-Performance and Limitations and Operation of Systems
-Pre-flight Inspection, Engine Starting, Taxiing, and Before Takeoff Check
-Traffic Patterns, and Airport, Runway, and Taxiway Signs, Markings, and Lighting
-Normal, Crosswind, Short-Field, and Soft-field Takeoffs and Landings, Forward Slip and Go-Arounds
-Steep Turns
-Rectangular Course, Turns Around a Point, S-Turns Across a Road
-Manoeuvring During Slow Flight, Power-Off and Power-On Stalls, Spin Awareness
-Basic Instrument Manoeuvres,
-Emergency Operations
-After Landing, Parking, and Securing.

So you're probably looking at doing, I'd say, at least 16 hours of training to get to the proficiency level for the Practical Test. This is entirely dependent on the individual though. You could potentially get proficient in less time, solely based on your ability and instructor's discretion.