FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Flight Maneuvers and EndorsementsMedium
Which combination of features defines a 'complex airplane' for purposes of the endorsement required by 14 CFR 61.31(e)?
- AA pressurized cabin and retractable landing gear with a fixed-pitch propeller
- BA single engine producing more than 200 horsepower and retractable landing gear
- CRetractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller (or is turbojet-powered)
- DA tailwheel landing gear configuration combined with a controllable-pitch propeller
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller (or is turbojet-powered)
14 CFR 61.31(e) defines a complex airplane as one with retractable landing gear, wing flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller, or one that is turbojet-powered. A pilot must receive and log ground and flight training and receive an endorsement before acting as PIC of such an airplane.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Pressurization and fixed-pitch propeller do not meet the complex airplane criteria.
- B. Horsepower defines a high-performance airplane, not complex.
- D. Tailwheel configuration is unrelated to the complex airplane definition.
Complex Airplane Endorsement
Required by 61.31(e) before acting as PIC of an airplane with retractable gear, flaps, and controllable-pitch propeller (or turbojet powered).
- Requires retractable gear + flaps + controllable-pitch prop, or turbojet power
- Endorsement must be logged after ground and flight training
- Separate from high-performance and tailwheel endorsements
Memory trick: Complex = 'gear up, flaps down, prop that pitches.'