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N661DJ

Well Known Member
Quick question:
I have a friend with a recently purchased RV7A, 180HP. CS prop. he is low time 200hrs. A good Pilot.
Does the FAA require a "Complex, high performance" "check out", "sign off" by a "Cert. Flight Instructor" ?
 
No, the airplane doesn't even meet any of those categories but even if it did it's experimental so it's not required. The insurance company on the other hand may require something more or entirely different.
 
Sid Lambert said:
....but even if it did it's experimental so it's not required.
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Sid,

That's not universally true. Most (but not all) operating limitations for experimental aircraft include the following language;

"The pilot in command of this aircraft must hold a pilot certificate or an authorized instructor's logbook endorsement. The pilot in command must meet the requirements of ? 61.31(e), (f), (g), (h), (i), and (j) as appropriate."

Note that the endorsements called out in 61.31 are specifically required. This means that, if the aircraft meets the definition of a complex, high performance, or a tailwheel airplane the pilot will need the endorsements.

Some older operating limitations may not include this language, but your second comment about the insurance underwriters will come in to play at that point so it won't matter.
 
A 180 HP anything is not high performance per the FAA definition. This one is complex due to CS prop and flaps.

If he's never flown anything with a CS prop, he probably needs to ride with a CFI in something that has one and get the endorsement. Shouldn't take more than an hour.
 
insurance

... and insurance underwriters quoting RVs don't care or ask about the HP, the prop, or whether the pilot has any of the required endorsements. So that won't matter, so long as he's legal per Part 61.
 
JDRhodes said:
... and insurance underwriters quoting RVs don't care or ask about the HP, the prop, or whether the pilot has any of the required endorsements. So that won't matter, so long as he's legal per Part 61.
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It doesn't matter - until there is a claim. Just because they didn't ask when you initiated the coverage does not mean they won't deny the claim later if you don't meet the requirements. Ask - do not assume.
 
JDRhodes said:
...he probably needs to ride with a CFI in something that has one and get the endorsement.
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No such thing. Like Scott pointed out, you only need a complex endorsement if the aircraft has retractable gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch prop (or in the case of a seaplane, flaps and a controllable pitch propeller). Take away one of the 3 and no complex endorsement required.

The high performance endorsement for engines over 200HP is a seperate requirement altogether and is in no way tied to the complex endorsement.
 
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Auburntsts said:
No such thing. Like Scott pointed out, you only need a complex endorsement if the aircraft has retractable gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch prop (or in the case of a seaplane, flaps and a controllable pitch propeller). Take away one of the 3 and no endorsement required.
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And "High Performance" is anything OVER 200 HP. So if you have a 95 MPH Steaman with the stock 220 HP engine you need a High Performance (and Tailwheel) Endorsement to fly it.

BTW, most endorsements have a Grandfather clause.
 
airguy said:
It doesn't matter - until there is a claim. Just because they didn't ask when you initiated the coverage does not mean they won't deny the claim later if you don't meet the requirements. Ask - do not assume.
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Insurers can only deny a claim if 1) the loss event is specifically EXCLUDED in the policy, or 2) if you failed to meet the conditions in the policy for coverage. They can't deny a claim after the fact just because they feel like it.

Ask - yes, but do not assume that what you are told is any more correct than what you originally thought. Read what your policy says.
 
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