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This article will cover how time should be logged in order to meet the FAA Commercial ASEL, FAR §61.129(a) requirements. 

Flight Time Requirements

250 hours of flight time

• Log 250 hours Total Time. 

100 hours in powered aircraft

• Log 100 hours Total Time.
• Ensure logbook entries are associated with an aircraft that has a powered engine type (piston, turboprop, radial, etc).

50 hours in airplanes

• Log 50 hours Total Time.
• Ensure the selected aircraft for the entries has a class of ASEL, AMEL, ASES, or AMES.

100 hours of Pilot-in-Command (PIC)

• Log 100 hours PIC.

50 hours PIC in airplanes

• Log 50 hours PIC.
• Log Total Time in conjunction with PIC.
• Ensure the selected aircraft for the entries has a class of ASEL, ASES, AMEL, or AMES.

50 hours PIC cross-country

• Log 50 hours PIC.
• Log cross-country and Total Time hours in conjunction with PIC.

10 hours PIC cross-country in airplanes

• Log 10 hours PIC.
• Log cross-country and Total Time hours in conjunction with PIC.
• Ensure the selected aircraft for the entries has a class of ASEL, ASES, AMEL, or AMES.

20 hours of flight training

• Log 20 hours Dual Received (training).
• Log Total Time in conjunction with Dual Received.

10 hours of simulated instrument training

• Log 10 hours Simulated Instrument.
• Log 10 hours Dual Received (training).

5 hours of simulated instrument training in single-engine airplanes

• Log 5 hours Simulated Instrument.
• Log 5 hours Dual Received (training).
• Log Total Time hours in conjunction with the above.
• Ensure the selected aircraft for the entries has a class of ASEL or ASES.

10 hours of training in complex or TAA airplanes

• Log 10 hours Dual Received (training).
• Log Total Time hours in conjunction with Dual Received.
• Ensure the selected aircraft for the entries is set up as complex or TAA and has a class of ASEL.

One 2-hour, 100nm day cross-country training flight in a single-engine airplane

• Log the flight as a single entry.
• Log 2 hours Total Time.
• Log 2 hours cross-country.
• Log 2 hours Dual Received (training).
• Ensure that your destination is ≥ 100nm from your departure point.
• Ensure the selected aircraft for the entry has a class of ASEL or ASES.
• Do not log any night hours.

One 2-hour, 100nm night cross-country training flight in a single-engine airplane

• Log the flight as a single entry.
• Log 2 hours Total Time.
• Log 2 hours cross-country.
• Log 2 hours Night.
• Log 2 hours Dual Received (training).
• Ensure that your destination is ≥ 100nm from your departure airport.
• Ensure the selected aircraft for the entry has a class of ASEL or ASES.

3 hours of checkride prep training in a single-engine airplane within the preceding 2 calendar months

• Log 3 hours Total Time.
• Log 3 hours Dual Received (training).
• Ensure the selected aircraft for the entries has a class of ASEL or ASES.
• Ensure the entry date is within the past 2 calendar months

10 hours of solo time in a single-engine airplane or 10 hours of flight time performing the duties of pilot in command in a single-engine airplane with an authorized instructor on board. The 10 hours must include the following:

See the following article for more information on logging this flight time in ForeFlight Logbook:

How do I log my flight time for CFR 61.129(a)(4) so it is included on the Commercial ASEL Report?

• One 300nm cross-country flight in a single-engine airplane, with full-stop landings at three points and one point at least 250nm from the departure point (See note below)

• • Log the flight as a single entry.
  • Log Total Time and cross-country hours.
  • Log Solo or PIC hours. 
  • Include 3 or more airports in the entry.
  • Log 3 landings.
  • Total Route Distance is ≥ 300nm.
  • One destination is ≥ 250nm from your departure airport.
  • Ensure the selected aircraft for the entries has a class of ASEL or ASES.
  • If logged as PIC with an Instructor, add the instructor to Crew & Passengers.
  • Do not log Dual Received hours.

• 5 hours of night solo in VFR conditions in single-engine airplanes (See note below)
  • Log 5 hours Total Time.
  • Log 5 hours Solo or PIC.
  • Log 5 hours Night.
  • Ensure the selected aircraft for the entries has a class of ASEL or ASES.
  • If logged as PIC with an Instructor, add the instructor to Crew & Passengers.
  • Do not log Dual Received hours.

• 10 night takeoffs and 10 night landings in single-engine airplanes at an airport with an operating control tower (See note below)
  • Log Total Time hours.
  • Log Solo hours or PIC.
  • Log Night hours.
  • Log Night Takeoffs and Night Landings.
  • Ensure the selected aircraft for the entries has a class of ASEL or ASES.
  • Ensure a towered airport is included in the From, To, or Route fields.
  • If logged as PIC with an Instructor, add the instructor to Crew & Passengers.
  • Do not log Dual Received hours.