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For most Part 135 IFR operations, what total flight time must the pilot in command have?

1,200 hours, including 500 cross-country and 100 night.

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  1. 1,200 hours ✔
  2. 500 hours
  3. 1,500 hours

Why: Section 135.243(c) requires a commercial certificate plus 1,200 hours of flight time as a pilot. That includes 500 cross-country, 100 at night, and 75 instrument hours, at least 50 of them in actual flight.

Huh, didn't know that: For an airplane, the Part 135 IFR captain must also hold an instrument rating or an airline transport pilot certificate.

The dad joke
Why does a Part 135 IFR captain need 1,200 hours? Because clouds don't grade on a curve.
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References

Answer: 1,200 hours. Section 135.243(c) requires a commercial certificate plus 1,200 hours of flight time as a pilot. That includes 500 cross-country, 100 at night, and 75 instrument hours, at least 50 of them in actual flight.

  1. 14 CFR 135.243 Pilot in command qualifications (Cornell LII eCFR mirror) www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/14/135.243
    1,200 hours of flight time as a pilot, including 500 hours of cross country flight time
    Checked 2026-10-10.

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