The FAA has published FAA Notice N8900.463, which addresses a change in policy in the Commercial Pilot and the CFI practical tests, no longer requiring demonstration of a complex aircraft on certain tests.
The changes eliminate the requirement to fly a complex aircraft for a practical test for the commercial practical tests and the single-engine initial CFI test.
FAA officials noted that, “the FAA finds that no longer requiring an applicant to provide a complex airplane for the initial commercial pilot with an airplane single-engine rating practical test or a flight instructor with an airplane single-engine rating practical test will not result in a decreased level of safety.”
The changes became effective when the notices were published April 24, 2018.
As a new student pilot, Im not sure how to decipher the above comments. Broken down, how will this effect my goal of becoming a commercial pilot?
Does this eliminate the requirement of 10 hours in complex aircraft to be logged before applying for the commercial certificate?
As I understand it, no, only the complex checkride requirement.
Commercial-C-150
CFI-1958 C-182. (16,620 Hrs.)
HP, Complex, Tailwheel. Grandfathered
It’s about time.
Plus, I know a DPE who charges $900 for that dual aircraft CFI ride. That and the cost of transition training, whether previously complex or not, is an expense that makes no sense. One CFI candidate had Cessna Caravan time, but still had to go through the expense of a CFI complex checkride.
Obtained my CFI in a 150 fifty years ago and did my own “complex, high performance and tailwheel” checkouts. “Go get yourself some landings, kid, and you’ll be OK.”
Grandfathered as a ME CFI, too. No accidents, incidents or violations, yet. Found my safe space, and at a lower cost. May not work for everyone, but so does unnecessary training posing as being safe.
Retractable gear is obsolete for piston single engine aircraft anyway.
Have you ever flown a Bonanza, the Cadillac of the sky’s.
Bout damn time, that was one of the more asine requirements, only serving to make life harder and morbexpensive for applicants and flight schools.
Maybe there is some sanity at the FAA after all.