bobbysamd
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 26, 2001
- Posts
- 5,710
High-performance signoff v. complex signoff
"Complex airplane" used to be a slang term we all used, but not officially recognized in the FARs. I've learned in the year since I resumed participation in aviation that a "high-performance signoff" is not a "complex" signoff. There are two separate signoffs you must obtain. You must obtain a "high-performance" signoff to fly, e.g, a Dakota, 182, or bigger. A "high-performance" signoff used to come after you checked out satisfactorily in an airplane with an engine of more than 200 hp or an airplane with flaps, retractable gear and controllable prop. That meant that, e.g., you could check on in a fixed-gear Waco (which has more than 200 hp. - maybe 450 hp) and could fly as PIC in a retractable. In any event, the way the reg reads now, your checkout in a Seminole only counts for a "complex" signoff.
I think it's all pretty stupid. I read somewhere that AOPA is lobbying for a rewrite of that reg so that total hp from all engines is the criterion.
"Complex airplane" used to be a slang term we all used, but not officially recognized in the FARs. I've learned in the year since I resumed participation in aviation that a "high-performance signoff" is not a "complex" signoff. There are two separate signoffs you must obtain. You must obtain a "high-performance" signoff to fly, e.g, a Dakota, 182, or bigger. A "high-performance" signoff used to come after you checked out satisfactorily in an airplane with an engine of more than 200 hp or an airplane with flaps, retractable gear and controllable prop. That meant that, e.g., you could check on in a fixed-gear Waco (which has more than 200 hp. - maybe 450 hp) and could fly as PIC in a retractable. In any event, the way the reg reads now, your checkout in a Seminole only counts for a "complex" signoff.
I think it's all pretty stupid. I read somewhere that AOPA is lobbying for a rewrite of that reg so that total hp from all engines is the criterion.
