FAA Rolls Back Complex Airplane Checkride Rule

Less than a month after the April 4, 2018, fatal crash of a Piper Arrow during a commercial-pilot checkride, the FAA has changed its policy to no longer require a complex airplane (one with controllable-pitch propeller, flaps and retractable landing gear) for the commercial pilot-airplane or flight instructor-airplane certificates. The change comes via FAA Notice 8900.463,Use of a Complex Airplane During a Commercial Pilot or Flight Instructor Practical Test, dated April 24, 2018. The policy change reflects the lack of suitable aircraft.

Editorial Staff

Thursday, May 24, 2018 at 12:00 AM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

The FAA has removed the requirement for a complex airplane during commercial pilot or flight instructor practical tests, citing a lack of suitable aircraft and high maintenance costs.
Existing FAA regulations regarding complex airplane endorsements for PIC duties and experience requirements for the commercial certificate still remain in effect.
The FAA is significantly expanding the weather products available through ADS-B In's Flight Information System-Broadcast (FIS-B) to include turbulence, icing, cloud tops, and lightning data.

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Less than a month after the April 4, 2018, fatal crash of a Piper Arrow during a commercial-pilot checkride, the FAA has changed its policy to no longer require a complex airplane (one with controllable-pitch propeller, flaps and retractable landing gear) for the commercial pilot-airplane or flight instructor-airplane certificates. The change comes via FAA Notice 8900.463, Use of a Complex Airplane During a Commercial Pilot or Flight Instructor Practical Test, dated April 24, 2018. The policy change reflects the lack of suitable aircraft.

Both the commercial pilot ACS and the flight instructor PTS require the applicant to furnish a complex airplane (or a turbine-powered one in the case of a commercial certificate). But “there are far fewer single-engine complex airplanes available to meet the ACS/PTS requirement, and the single-engine complex airplanes that are available are older airplanes that are expensive to maintain,” the FAA said in its notice. “The FAA has determined that removing these ACS/PTS requirements will significantly reduce costs for persons pursuing a commercial pilot or flight instructor certificate….” the notice added.