If a student pilot logs 254 hours, including 20 hours as a safety pilot in a single pilot airplane, are they eligible to take the commercial checkride?

The eligibility for a commercial checkride is determined by the total flight time and the specific requirements established by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In the case of a student pilot logging 254 hours, including 20 hours as a safety pilot, this total can be counted toward their experience requirements for the commercial pilot certificate.

For a commercial pilot certificate, the FAA requires a minimum of 250 hours of total flight time, which can include various types of flying experiences. The 20 hours logged as a safety pilot is applicable because it contributes to the pilot's overall flight experience and enhances their skill set, even if it was conducted under the supervision of another pilot. Therefore, with 254 hours logged, the student pilot meets the basic flight hour requirement to take the commercial checkride.

While additional specific training or endorsements may be necessary, the critical point is that the total hours logged exceeds the minimum required for eligibility. This understanding allows the student to confidently know that they can proceed with the checkride based on their current logged hours.