Army helicopter pilot to FAA commercial — rotorcraft military competency

The rule, in plain English

14 CFR 61.73 lets a current or former U.S. military pilot turn military qualifications into an FAA commercial pilot certificate with the matching category and class rating, an instrument rating, and — where the FAA has a civilian equivalent — a type rating. There is no checkride. You pass one FAA knowledge test, you show official military records, and an examiner issues the certificate as an administrative action.

• The test: the MCN (Military Competence) knowledge test at any PSI testing center — commercial privileges and limitations, air traffic and general operating rules, accident reporting (§61.73(b)(2)). 50 questions, 70% to pass. The report prints its own expiration: 24 calendar months.
• The records: official records showing you are or were a military pilot, graduated military pilot training with a pilot rating, and passed a pilot proficiency check and instrument proficiency check (§61.73(h)(1)–(3)).
• The aircraft: for each rating, either a military pilot and instrument proficiency check in that category/class/type, or 10 hours of military pilot time in it (§61.73(b)(3)). Current FAA guidance says the 10 hours alone can't be the only basis — the proficiency-check record still has to be in the pile.
• The instrument rating: added in the same action when your records show a military instrument proficiency check in that category and that you're instrument-qualified to fly Federal airways (§61.73(d)).

The one bar in the regulation: a pilot removed from flying status for lack of proficiency, or because of a disciplinary action involving aircraft operations (§61.73(a)). That's it. Years since you separated is not a bar, and there is no expiry on the military check itself — veterans qualify on their records.

What an Army aviator walks away with

• Commercial pilot certificate — rotorcraft category, helicopter class. That's the core of it, and it's what civilian helicopter operators hire on.
• Instrument-helicopter, added in the same action when your records show a passed instrument proficiency check in helicopters and that you're instrument-qualified for Federal airways (§61.73(d)). For most Army aviators with a current or past instrument card, that's you.
• A type rating, only where the FAA lists a civilian equivalent (see below).
• Army fixed-wing time (C-12 and friends) counts too — it becomes an airplane rating on the same certificate.

One MCN test covers every category now — the old separate helicopter test is gone — so an Army aviator takes the same MCN as an Air Force pilot.

Who qualifies

• Army aviators — commissioned officers and warrant officers — active duty, Army Reserve, Army National Guard, or former
• Any Army helicopter: UH-60, HH-60, CH-47, AH-64, UH-72, TH-67/TH-73 and older airframes — the category/class rating doesn't care which one
• No limit on time since separation

Not eligible: a pilot removed from flying status for lack of proficiency or for a disciplinary action involving aircraft operations.

Your Army document checklist

• Aeronautical orders awarding your Aviator, Senior Aviator or Master Aviator Badge — the rating
• DA Form 759 — Individual Flight Record and Flight Certificate — the aircraft and category evidence
• DA Form 7120-R — Commander's Task List and DA Form 7122-R — Crew Member Training Record — the proficiency and instrument evaluations
• For the instructor path: your Instructor Pilot / Instrument Examiner course diploma (with DA Form 1059)
• MCN knowledge test report, unexpired
• Government photo ID or military ID; FAA medical or current military flight physical if you have one
• IACRA application started, with your FTN

FAA guidance says the Army orders and the DA forms together carry the information — orders alone won't do it. Send the set ahead and I'll tell you what's missing before you pay anything.

Type ratings for Army airframes

From the FAA's helicopter type-designation list (Order 8900.1, Figure 5-88, revised 08/2026):

• UH-60 / HH-60 / MH-60 series → S-70. The UH-60M, HH-60M and HH-60W map to S-70M instead.
• CH-47 → BV-234. The FAA list flags that eligibility can depend on the aircraft's serial numbers, so bring the tail numbers you flew.
• AH-64, UH-72 and TH-73 are not on the list: you get commercial rotorcraft-helicopter and instrument-helicopter without a type rating. For most civilian helicopter jobs the type rating isn't the gate anyway.

Army IPs and IEs: the CFI comes too

If you're a current or former Army instructor pilot or instrument examiner, §61.73(g) gets you an FAA flight instructor certificate — helicopter, and instrument-helicopter where your IE records support it — without a practical test. That's the fastest route into civilian flight-instructing, which is where a lot of transitioning Army aviators build civilian time. Details: military instructor to CFI.

What the virtual appointment is

A 20-minute video call with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner. Not a checkride, not an oral — an administrative review. Your documents are checked before the call, so the call itself is short:

1. Identity check against a government photo ID (military ID is fine)
2. MCN test report and military records confirmed against §61.73
3. Your IACRA application reviewed and signed live
4. Temporary certificate issued on the call — valid immediately. The FAA mails the plastic card later.

Works from a squadron office, a hotel room overseas, or a deployed location with decent internet. Booking needs 24 hours' notice so the FAA's oversight system (DMS) can be updated. Daytona DPE's FAA Certificate Letter of Authority (CLOA) carries Remote Technology Authorized for military competency — that's the FAA basis for doing this by video.

Pricing — $200 flat

No travel fees, no rescheduling fees, no charge if you're determined not eligible during the appointment. Details → Pricing

Related

Frequently asked

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