Complex airplane
Encyclopedia
A complex airplane
is defined by the United States Federal Aviation Administration
as an aircraft
that has all of:
In the U.S., students generally train for their first pilot certificate in an aircraft with fixed landing gear, a fixed-pitch
propeller
, and movable flaps.
Before or after earning the private pilot certificate (PPL) (usually after), a pilot
can be trained in complex aircraft operation by a flight instructor
. When the pilot has demonstrated proficiency in complex aircraft, the flight instructor endorses the pilot's logbook and the pilot is said to have a "complex endorsement".
The FAA requires a pilot to have experience in, and take the practical test
in, a complex airplane in order to earn the commercial pilot certificate (CPL) and the flight instructor certificate (CFI).
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
is defined by the United States Federal Aviation Administration
Federal Aviation Administration
The Federal Aviation Administration is the national aviation authority of the United States. An agency of the United States Department of Transportation, it has authority to regulate and oversee all aspects of civil aviation in the U.S...
as an aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
that has all of:
- A retractable landing gearUndercarriageThe undercarriage or landing gear in aviation, is the structure that supports an aircraft on the ground and allows it to taxi, takeoff and land...
(land aircraft only; a seaplaneSeaplaneA seaplane is a fixed-wing aircraft capable of taking off and landing on water. Seaplanes that can also take off and land on airfields are a subclass called amphibian aircraft...
is not required to have this) - A controllable pitch propellerControllable pitch propellerA controllable pitch propeller or variable pitch propeller is a type of propeller with blades that can be rotated around their long axis to change their pitch...
(which includes constant speed propellerConstant speed propellerA constant speed propeller is a type of propeller that can change its blade pitch to take better advantage of the power supplied by an engine in much the same way that a transmission in a car takes better advantage of its power source...
s) - Movable or adjustable flapsFlap (aircraft)Flaps are normally hinged surfaces mounted on the trailing edges of the wings of a fixed-wing aircraft to reduce the speed an aircraft can be safely flown at and to increase the angle of descent for landing without increasing air speed. They shorten takeoff and landing distances as well as...
.
In the U.S., students generally train for their first pilot certificate in an aircraft with fixed landing gear, a fixed-pitch
Blade pitch
Blade pitch or simply pitch refers to turning the angle of attack of the blades of a propeller or helicopter rotor into or out of the wind to control the production or absorption of power. Wind turbines use this to adjust the rotation speed and the generated power...
propeller
Propeller (aircraft)
Aircraft propellers or airscrews convert rotary motion from piston engines or turboprops to provide propulsive force. They may be fixed or variable pitch. Early aircraft propellers were carved by hand from solid or laminated wood with later propellers being constructed from metal...
, and movable flaps.
Before or after earning the private pilot certificate (PPL) (usually after), a pilot
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
can be trained in complex aircraft operation by a flight instructor
Flight instructor
A flight instructor is a person who teaches others to fly aircraft. Specific privileges granted to holders of a flight instructor qualification vary from country to country, but very generally, a flight instructor serves to enhance or evaluate the knowledge and skill level of an aviator in pursuit...
. When the pilot has demonstrated proficiency in complex aircraft, the flight instructor endorses the pilot's logbook and the pilot is said to have a "complex endorsement".
The FAA requires a pilot to have experience in, and take the practical test
FAA Practical Test
A practical test, or checkride is the most common name for part of a Federal Aviation Administration examination which one must undergo in the United States to receive an aircraft pilot's certification, or an endorsement for additional flight privileges...
in, a complex airplane in order to earn the commercial pilot certificate (CPL) and the flight instructor certificate (CFI).