High Performance Endorsement?

[N941WR]

I have always thought the "High Performance Endorsement" a bit of a joke.

For example, you need one to fly a Stearman because of the 220 hp engine most of them have, yet they only fly at around 95 mph (depending on rigging, engine, prop, etc.)

Here's the question:

If you build up an engine for your RV that is dyno tested to turn over 200 hp, do you still need this endorsement to fly it?

[RatMan]

I asked that very question to our local pilot examiner and he told me his understanding is it depends on the engine placard. If it says 180hp, then no endorsement is needed, that is all that the FAA could go on. Made sense to me.

[Mike_ExpressCT]

Nah, if you go that route I wouldn't worry about it. Don't worry about that, doing a condition inspection, 3 takeoffs and landings in the past 90 days before you carry passengers, etc....



(The rule says that if your aircraft has over 200 h.p. you NEED a high performance endorsement. Just do yourself a favor and find a nice CFI who has access to a Skylane, and pay him for the 3-4 hours you need for it just to humor your insurance company)



This is about as good as my stand-up routine gets

[rickmellor]

If you had HP time prior to 1997 you don't need an endorsement. Otherwise, looks like you need it.

Btw, any RV with 200+ HP will be quite a bit hotter than a Stearman.

-Rick

[craigvince]

It's not about being legal with the FAA, it's about flying safe. If you haven't flown a high performance (fast and responsive) airplane before, you probably shouldn't be flying an RV. On the other hand, most of us have or will have several hours of RV transitional training anyway, which, if with a CFI, would count as the HP signoff.

[yakdriver]

Craig, The RV series are probably the most docile high performance airplanes out there. A low time pilot can transition into a 6,7 or 8A in 5-10hrs and a little longer for the taildraggers. So low time pilots should not be discouraged if they want to build or buy an RV. Don

[pierre smith]

Hi Craig,
The intent of the rule was originally directed at guys going into Mooneys, Cessna 210's and Bonanzas, etc. These airplanes have/had cowl flaps, retractable gear, C/S props and so on, really task-loading a C-150/172 grad with extra "stuff" to remember to cope with. Later, the rule included any airplane with 200 HP or more, even without retracts. (Even the lumbering old Stearman...)

I think we're getting a freebie by not having to comply with this rule (Transition training does do it though) because there are not many RV's that are NOT high performance airplanes in my opinion.

Regards,

[fmarino1976]

Well, this is just to brag a little, hehe. I just got my HP and complex endorsement on Saturday! I friend of mine gave me some time on his V tail bonanza. I looked at my logbook after the endorsement and I have a grand total of.....(drum roll) 67.5 hrs! I know I'm still a good ways off from being a proficient pilot but I'm excited anyway....

Cheers

[N941WR]

Originally Posted by pierre smith

Hi Craig,
The intent of the rule was originally directed at guys going into Mooneys, Cessna 210's and Bonanzas, etc. These airplanes have/had cowl flaps, retractable gear, C/S props and so on, really task-loading a C-150/172 grad with extra "stuff" to remember to cope with. Later, the rule included any airplane with 200 HP or more, even without retracts. (Even the lumbering old Stearman...)

I think we're getting a freebie by not having to comply with this rule (Transition training does do it though) because there are not many RV's that are NOT high performance airplanes in my opinion.

Regards,

Pierre,

I think you are confusing a "complex endorsement" with the "high performance endorsement". They used to be one in the same but some time back the FAA split them. If I remember correctly, the reg USED to read, "retractable gear, controllable pitch prop, and over 200 hp" or something like that. Now the "complex endorsement" reads "retractable gear and controllable pitch prop". Thus if you have a 200 HP retract with a FP, as a friend's velocity has, you need neither endorsement. Up the HP and add a controllable pitch prop and you would need both endorsements.

[osxuser]

This is just going from memory, but I believe the 'complex' endorsement includes flaps as well. High performance is really a joke, I got mine in a 182, which isn't much better a performer (and certainaly a bit easier to fly) than the 180HP CS prop Cardinal I fly all the time. I have complex time in Mooney, Piper Arrow, Cessna TR182, Glasair I RG, and few others, and by far the Hottest airplane (and the hardest to fly) was the 160HP Glasair.