737 SIC type rating vs PIC type rating

A right-seat 737 qualification is not a shortcut to captain privileges. The letters on a pilot certificate must match the seat, operation, and career move ahead.

Pilots comparing the two paths need a clear answer before booking training or planning an upgrade. The next section, 737 SIC type rating vs PIC type rating: the practical difference, separates certificate language from real flight-deck consequences.

737 SIC type rating vs PIC type rating: the practical difference.

In a 737 cockpit, SIC and PIC type ratings support different crew roles. The practical difference is not a label alone. It affects the privileges shown on a pilot certificate and the role a pilot may serve during an operation.

The FAA rule for type ratings requires the appropriate aircraft type rating to act as pilot in command. This applies to a large or turbojet-powered airplane. A 737 pilot should treat this as a role and certificate question, not just a training choice.

The SIC right-seat role.

An SIC type rating is tied to second-in-command privileges. In day-to-day airline language, that usually means the right-seat role under an operator’s procedures. It does not grant captain authority or PIC privileges by itself.

Under the FAA’s SIC type rating rules, the privilege is limited to serving as SIC in that aircraft type. The certificate carries a second-in-command privileges only limitation. Operator training and operating rules still matter.

The PIC captain path.

A PIC type rating supports captain service when the pilot also meets the applicable rules and operator requirements. Passing a type-rating practical test does not replace an employer’s qualification process. It also does not grant an airline command assignment.

A PIC rating also does not make every flight PIC time. Logging PIC time and acting as PIC are separate questions under applicable rules. Pilots should confirm the recordkeeping treatment with their operator or a qualified regulatory source.

Why the distinction matters before training.

The distinction matters when a pilot plans an airline move, an upgrade, or recurrent training. Pilots comparing pathways can review LVFA’s Boeing 737 type rating program. The right course depends on the certificate goal, operator requirements, and intended cockpit role.

Ask the employer which certificate privilege and operator qualification the role requires. Do not assume a right-seat qualification is a shortcut to captain privileges. A training provider can explain course scope, but the employer and applicable FAA rules control the operational answer.

When does a Boeing 737 pilot need a type rating?

The aircraft and the operating role.

A Boeing 737 pilot needs a type rating because the aircraft falls within the large-aircraft and turbojet categories. The rule applies to aircraft above the weight threshold and to turbojet aircraft, as this type-rating overview explains.

The next question is the pilot’s role. A captain needs the privileges to act as pilot in command (PIC). A first officer needs the qualification that matches second-in-command (SIC) duties. The aircraft may be the same, but the privileges are not.

SIC qualification is not PIC authority.

A 737 SIC type rating is narrower than a PIC type rating. FAA certificate examples show an SIC privileges only limitation. The SIC path qualifies a pilot for the right-seat role. It does not grant captain authority.

A pilot comparing a 737 SIC type rating vs PIC type rating should begin with the job to be performed. The SIC path fits second-in-command duties. The PIC path fits a captain role or a later upgrade into that role.

• PIC path: for pilots who need captain privileges in the Boeing 737.
• SIC path: for pilots assigned to second-in-command duties.
• Upgrade path: for an SIC preparing to move into a captain role.

This distinction affects course selection. An SIC qualification is not a shortcut to PIC privileges. A pilot who expects to serve as captain should plan for the PIC path instead of assuming a right-seat rating will cover both roles.

Part 121 and ATP context.

Part 121 airline pilots should confirm the required rating and training path with the operator. The assigned seat matters, and operator requirements may affect the sequence. A pilot entering airline service should not choose a course from the aircraft name alone.

ATP context also matters. ATP-CTP is not a Boeing 737 type rating. It is a separate step tied to ATP qualification. Pilots planning an airline track can review the ATP-CTP program before scheduling type-rating training.

The practical starting point is simple: define the aircraft, the seat, and the intended operation. Then confirm whether the goal is SIC qualification, an initial PIC type rating, or a PIC upgrade.

How PIC, SIC, ATP, and ATP-CTP fit together.

Four terms, four different jobs.

PIC, SIC, ATP, and ATP-CTP answer different questions. PIC means pilot in command, while SIC means second in command. An ATP is an airman certificate. ATP-CTP is a training course that prepares a pilot for ATP qualification.

ATP-CTP is not a type rating. Completing the ATP-CTP program does not add a Boeing 737 rating to a pilot certificate. A 737 type rating is a separate training goal tied to privileges in that aircraft type.

PIC and SIC privileges.

The key question in a 737 SIC type rating vs PIC type rating decision is the role the pilot needs to perform. A PIC rating supports captain duties. An SIC rating is limited to second-in-command privileges.

The FAA shows this difference on SIC credentials with a privileges-only limitation. Its SIC type rating guidance includes the sample notation, “B-777 SIC PRIVILEGES ONLY.” That wording matters. An SIC credential should not be treated as a lower-cost path to PIC authority.

SIC preparation still calls for aircraft-specific work. Pilots need familiarity with systems, limits, and procedures for the aircraft type. PIC training has a different end point because the pilot is preparing for command authority. LVFA offers Boeing 737-800 PIC training for initial ratings, upgrades, and recurrent needs.

Map the requirement before scheduling.

Start with the job, not the course name. A pilot seeking ATP qualification should first determine whether ATP-CTP belongs in the plan. A pilot preparing for Boeing 737 command authority should review the Boeing 737 type rating path instead.

• Certificate goal: Confirm whether the next step is ATP qualification, a type rating, or both.
• Crew role: Decide whether the intended seat requires PIC authority or SIC privileges.
• Aircraft type: Match training to the aircraft the pilot expects to operate.
• Operator expectation: Ask the employer which credential, training record, and timing it requires.

This check prevents two common errors. Pilots should not assume ATP-CTP adds a 737 rating. They also should not assume an SIC credential meets a future captain requirement. Certificate rules set the baseline, while an employer or operator may define the practical hiring need.

Can an SIC upgrade to a 737 PIC type rating later?

The SIC rating is a starting point.

Yes. A pilot can pursue a 737 PIC type rating after holding an SIC rating. The upgrade is a separate training and evaluation path, not an automatic change after right-seat work. An FAA certificate example shows the limitation as SIC privileges only.

Plan the upgrade around the captain role. Keep a clear record of aircraft systems study, procedures, simulator work, and recurrent training. Right-seat time can build useful experience. It does not, by itself, prove that a pilot meets PIC standards.

An upgrade planning sequence.

Start with your current records and the rules for your next operation. Under the SIC familiarization rule, the trainer must sign the pilot’s logbook or training record after each lesson. Review the SIC training record requirements before gathering documents.

1. Collect your records. Keep training records, logbook entries, recurrent training documents, and any operator forms in one file. Note gaps before scheduling an upgrade.

2. Confirm the goal. Ask whether you need a PIC type rating, an ATP-linked checkride, or operator-specific captain training. Do not assume that these paths are the same.

3. Check current proficiency. Review systems, limits, normal procedures, abnormal procedures, emergency procedures, and crew coordination. Use recurrent training to maintain skill, not as an assumed substitute for an upgrade.

4. Verify the checkride standard. Ask the training provider which practical test applies and what prerequisites must be complete. Schedule simulator preparation around that standard.

5. Confirm operator rules. Your employer may set captain upgrade requirements beyond the rating itself. Ask the operator what experience, records, training, and checking it requires.

What not to assume.

A 737 SIC type rating and a PIC type rating serve different privileges. Do not assume that recurrent events, right-seat experience, or an SIC endorsement will convert into captain qualification without more work. For context on simulator preparation, review the Level D simulator facility.

The safest plan is to separate three questions: what the FAA requires, what the training provider requires, and what your operator requires. Resolve each question before booking training. That keeps the upgrade focused on the PIC standard rather than assumptions carried over from SIC work.

How Level D simulator training supports 737 type rating decisions.

Training that matches the rating goal.

A 737 SIC type rating vs PIC type rating decision should start with the role you need to fill. The simulator is not just a place to practice handling. It is where systems knowledge, cockpit flow, crew coordination, and response to abnormal events come together.

Las Vegas Flight Academy conducts Boeing 737 training in an FAA Part 142 setting with Level D full-flight simulators. Its Boeing 737-800 PIC training includes initial type ratings, upgrades, and recurrent work. Pilots reviewing options can start with the academy’s Boeing 737 type rating page.

The device matters because the goal is role-specific training in a realistic flight deck. LVFA supports Boeing 737-300/-800 simulator training, so pilots should confirm the device tied to their course. They should also confirm whether they need an initial PIC rating, an upgrade, recurrent work, or SIC familiarization.

What pilots should expect in the simulator.

Simulator work should connect procedures to decisions. For SIC familiarization, the training focus includes aircraft systems, performance limits, and normal procedures. It also covers abnormal and emergency procedures. Those topics shape the questions a pilot should ask before booking training.

• Which 737 variant and simulator device will be used?
• Does the course match an SIC, PIC, upgrade, or recurrent need?
• How are cockpit flows, callouts, and crew duties practiced?
• Which abnormal and emergency events appear in the simulator sessions?
• What records will be completed after each required lesson?

Under SIC familiarization rules, simulator practice can include takeoffs, full-stop landings, engine-out procedures, and crew resource management. A pilot should treat these as more than boxes to check. Each event tests how the crew manages workload while keeping the aircraft within limits.

The academy’s Level D simulator facility page gives pilots more context on the training environment. Review it before discussing dates, prerequisites, and the correct course path with the training team.

Why the PIC or SIC choice changes the plan.

An SIC rating is not a lower-cost stand-in for PIC authority. It is a role-limited credential. FAA certificate examples show the limitation as SIC privileges only. That distinction should guide the training conversation from the start.

A pilot seeking captain authority needs a PIC path. A pilot preparing for a second-in-command role should confirm whether SIC familiarization meets the actual operating need. In either case, the simulator lets the pilot work through role-specific duties before those duties appear in line operations.

Recurrent pilots should use the same decision process. Confirm the aircraft variant, the seat, the training purpose, and the records needed. Clear answers keep a recurrent session focused on the work that matters for the pilot’s next assignment.

How to choose the right 737 training path.

Start with the seat you need.

The right path starts with the job you plan to perform, not the shortest course you can find. An SIC qualification supports second-in-command duties. A PIC type rating supports a captain path when you are otherwise qualified to act as pilot in command.

This distinction matters when comparing a 737 SIC type rating vs PIC type rating. FAA certificate examples mark an SIC rating with an SIC PRIVILEGES ONLY limitation. That wording is a practical reminder: choose training for the privileges your next role requires.

A five-step decision check.

Use this sequence before you enroll. It keeps the decision tied to your certificate goals, employer rules, and planned cockpit role.

1. Define the target seat. Ask whether the next position is SIC, captain, or an upgrade from SIC to PIC. If you need captain privileges, discuss a PIC path rather than an SIC-only option.
2. Confirm the employer requirement. Ask the operator which rating, aircraft variant, training record, and check event it accepts. Do not assume one employer’s hiring standard applies to another operator.
3. Place ATP-CTP in the right order. If your ATP path requires ATP-CTP first, schedule it before the related ATP qualification and type-rating work. Review the academy’s ATP-CTP program when planning that sequence.
4. Match the course to your stage. Choose initial PIC training when you need the rating or upgrade training when moving toward captain duties. Choose recurrent training when maintaining proficiency.
5. Verify the training environment. Ask which simulator is used, what records you receive, and whether the schedule fits your reporting date. Confirm the exact course scope in writing before making travel plans.

Questions to ask before enrolling.

Bring a written list to the training provider and your employer. Ask whether your goal is an SIC qualification, an initial PIC type rating, an upgrade, or recurrent training. Also ask whether ATP-CTP must be complete before your planned training date.

Then confirm the aircraft variant, simulator type, check event, required documents, and final records. For academy-specific course details, review the Boeing 737 type rating page and discuss your target role before booking.

A careful choice avoids a common mistake: treating every 737 course as interchangeable. The correct route depends on the privileges needed for the next seat and the standard set by the hiring operator.

Frequently Asked Questions.

What is the difference between a 737 PIC and SIC type rating?

A PIC type rating supports pilot-in-command privileges, including a captain role, when the pilot meets the applicable requirements. An SIC type rating documents qualification for second-in-command duties and is not equivalent to a PIC rating. The FAA SIC guidance shows that an SIC rating carries an SIC-privileges-only limitation. Pilots should match the rating path to their intended seat.

Can a 737 SIC type rating holder log PIC time?

A 737 SIC type rating alone does not grant PIC privileges or make the holder a 737 captain. Logging PIC time is a separate regulatory question that depends on the authority for the flight and the pilot’s qualifications. The FAA SIC guidance identifies the rating as limited to SIC privileges. Pilots should review their exact scenario before recording time.

Is a type rating required for all 737 operations?

The required qualification depends on the pilot’s seat and the operation. A 737 pilot acting as PIC needs the appropriate type rating. For second-in-command duties, 14 CFR 61.55 governs aircraft-specific qualification and SIC type-rating requirements. Pilots should confirm the applicable rule, certificate limitation, and operator standard before scheduling training.

Who pays for a 737 type rating?

Payment arrangements vary by employer and training path. Some airlines include type-rating training in a hiring package, while pilots seeking an independent qualification may pay directly. Before enrolling, confirm whether the quoted price covers ground instruction, simulator sessions, evaluation fees, travel, lodging, and any retest costs. Written terms make offers easier to compare.

What does 737 SIC familiarization training include?

Under 14 CFR 61.55, SIC familiarization covers aircraft systems, performance limitations, and normal, abnormal, and emergency procedures. The training also addresses the flight manual, placards, and markings. Required practice includes three takeoffs and landings, engine-out procedures, and crew resource management. Pilots should verify how an approved program documents each item.

Ready to Clarify Your Boeing 737 Rating Path Today?

Waiting to resolve whether you need an SIC or PIC type rating can postpone training plans and leave your next airline career step unclear. Reviewing the decision now gives you time to compare the paths, prepare useful questions, and plan around your professional timeline. Clear direction before booking helps you avoid spending time on a route that does not match your role or rating goal.

Ready to clarify the right next step? Review the Boeing 737 type rating program and contact Las Vegas Flight Academy to request the details relevant to your plan. Start the conversation now, so you can move ahead with a more focused training decision and a timeline you clearly understand.