Not entirely true, but more true than it used to be. Prior to the rule changes is the 90's. My friend transitioned to Airplane Single Engine Land with less than 10 hours in a power airplane, a tailwheel (Cessna 120) at that.
Cross country time, done in Glider.
Tower/ATC, done in glider
I don't think there was any time requirement for Instrument time, I think I have like .7 hrs of instrument training on my log book when I took my PP Check ride.
Only thing he really need to do in the airplane was the night training.
Funny story when he took his Airplane checkride, After the emergency procedure (simulated power Failure) the examiner said I think that was the 1st time you relaxed during the checkride. My friend responded with, see that line in the field I picked to land in, That is the wheel track from where I landed my glider there last week.
Brian
CFIIG/ASEL
And, your hours soaring don’t count to the required hours and tasks for the PPL. Still need the min 40, solo, XC solo, night, 3 hrs instrument, etc.
Current rules say 40 hours flying time, Category/Class not specified. 20 hours dual and 10 hours solo, also not specified as Category/Class. But further in, it does state 10 hour solo in ASEL, including the controlled field and solo XC.
3 hour XC training, 3 hours night and 3 hour test prep must be in an ASEL.
§ 61.109 Aeronautical experience.
(a)
For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in
paragraph (k) of this section, a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in
§ 61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least—
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane;
(2) Except as provided in
§ 61.110 of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes—
(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight;
(4) 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test, which must have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test; and
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least—
(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.
.
