Regulation Text
§ 61.55 Second-in-command qualifications.
(a) A person may serve as a second-in-command of an aircraft type certificated for more than one required pilot flight crewmember or in operations requiring a second-in-command pilot flight crewmember only if that person holds:
(1) At least a private pilot certificate with the appropriate category and class rating; and
(2) An instrument rating or privilege that applies to the aircraft being flown if the flight is under IFR; and
(3) At least a pilot type rating for the aircraft being flown unless the flight will be conducted as domestic flight operations within the United States airspace.
(b) Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, no person may serve as a second-in-command of an aircraft type certificated for more than one required pilot flight crewmember or in operations requiring a second-in-command unless that person has within the previous 12 calendar months:
(1) Become familiar with the following information for the specific type aircraft for which second-in-command privileges are requested—
(i) Operational procedures applicable to the powerplant, equipment, and systems.
(ii) Performance specifications and limitations.
(iii) Normal, abnormal, and emergency operating procedures.
(iv) Flight manual.
(v) Placards and markings.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (g) of this section, performed and logged pilot time in the type of aircraft or in a flight simulator that represents the type of aircraft for which second-in-command privileges are requested, which includes—
(i) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop as the sole manipulator of the flight controls;
(ii) Engine-out procedures and maneuvering with an engine out while executing the duties of pilot in command; and
(iii) Crew resource management training.
(c) If a person complies with the requirements in paragraph (b) of this section in the calendar month before or the calendar month after the month in which compliance with this section is required, then that person is considered to have accomplished the training and practice in the month it is due.
(d) A person may receive a second-in-command pilot type rating for an aircraft after satisfactorily completing the second-in-command familiarization training requirements under paragraph (b) of this section.
[Paragraphs (e)–(j) address specific exceptions, approved programs, and simulator use provisions — see full regulatory text at eCFR § 61.55]
Doc. No. 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997 through Docket FAA-2018-0119, Amdt. 61-141, 83 FR 9170, Mar. 5, 2018
Research Notes
Research Notes
Section 61.55 governs who may legally occupy the right seat of a multi-crew aircraft as a required second-in-command. This section applies to general aviation operations — Part 121 and Part 135 carriers have their own SIC requirements in those respective parts. For private pilots flying multi-crew aircraft or type-rated aircraft, § 61.55 sets the floor.
12 calendar month currency: The SIC qualification must be renewed every 12 calendar months. This is a different currency period from the BFR (24 calendar months) and instrument currency (6 calendar months). The grace-month rule in paragraph (c) applies — training completed in the month before or after the required month counts as if it were done in the required month.
SIC type rating — no practical test required: Paragraph (d) creates a pathway for a "SIC Privileges Only" type rating. This rating allows the holder to log SIC time and to serve as SIC in that aircraft type. Notably, no practical test is required — only the ground and flight familiarization training specified in paragraph (b). The application goes through IACRA/FAA Form 8710-1. This is a legitimate route for commercial pilots building multi-engine turbine experience.
Exceptions for air carrier operations: Paragraph (b) does not apply to persons designated and qualified as SIC under Parts 91K, 121, 125, or 135. Those operations have their own currency and training requirements that supersede § 61.55.
CRM training requirement: Crew Resource Management training (paragraph (b)(2)(iii)) is explicitly required for SIC qualification. CRM covers communication, task management, and decision-making in a multi-pilot environment. This requirement reflects decades of accident data showing that crew coordination failures are a leading cause of multi-crew accidents. FAA AC 120-51 (CRM Training) provides the standard for CRM programs.
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