FAA Commercial Pilot Airplane (CAX)Aircraft SystemsEasy
A flight instructor is explaining logging requirements to a student. Under 14 CFR 61.1, which combination of features makes an airplane a "complex airplane" for logbook endorsement purposes?
- ARetractable landing gear, wing flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller
- BRetractable landing gear and a fixed-pitch propeller
- CFixed landing gear, wing flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller
- DRetractable landing gear, wing flaps, and a turbocharged engine
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Retractable landing gear, wing flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller
14 CFR 61.1(b) defines a complex airplane as one equipped with retractable landing gear, wing flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller (or is a seaplane/rotorcraft equivalent, or turbojet). All three features must be present together.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Missing flaps and a controllable-pitch propeller.
- C. Fixed gear does not meet the retractable gear requirement.
- D. Turbocharging is not part of the complex airplane definition; a controllable-pitch propeller is required instead.
Complex Airplane Definition
An airplane with retractable landing gear, wing flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller, as defined in 14 CFR 61.1.
- Requires all three features simultaneously
- Endorsement required before acting as PIC
- Separate from the high-performance (>200 hp) definition
Memory trick: Gear, Flaps, Prop — the complex-plane trio.