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Anyone wishing to transition into more complex and high performance aircraft will require a Complex and High Performance endorsement. These are two separate endorsements, but they are usually obtained simultaneously.  

Even prior to 1997, a pilot was required to have a High Performance endorsement in order to legally act as Pilot In Command of an airplane with 200hp, or that had retractable gear, flaps, or a controllable pitch propeller. However, in August 1997 the FAA made changes to Part 61 that made changes to the definition of High Performance and added a separate endorsement for Complex. The definition of High Performance is now “an airplane with an engine horsepower of more than 200hp. High Performance no longer includes “retractable gear, flaps, of controllable pitch propeller. That language is now part of the definition of a Complex endorsement.

If you would like to find out more about obtaining your Complex and/or High Performance endorsemenot, click the button below to email me about our training options.

An often misunderstood endorsement by pilots. According to  CFR 61.31(g), the endorsement is NOT required to operate as Pilot In Command of every pressurized aircraft. A pressurized aircraft is defined by part 61 as a pressurized aircraft having a service ceiling or maximum operating altitude, whichever is lower, above 25,000 MSL.

Prior to receiving your high-altitude endorsement, you will need to receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor. The ground training must include at least the following subjects:

• High-altitude aerodynamics and meteorology. 
• Respiration. 
• Effects, symptoms, and causes of hypoxia and any other high-altitude sickness. 
• Duration of consciousness without supplemental oxygen. 
• Effects of prolonged usage of supplemental oxygen. 
• Causes and effects of gas expansion and gas bubble formation. 
• Preventive measures for eliminating gas expansion, gas bubble formation, and high-altitude sickness. 
• Physical phenomena and incidents of decompression. 
• Any other physiological aspects of high-altitude flight.

A After meeting the ground training requirements, the instructor who provided the ground training will make an endorsement in your logbook or training record certifying that you have satisfactorily accomplished the ground training.

To meet the flight training requirements, you will need to receive and log training from an authorized instructor in a pressurized aircraft (remember the definition of a pressurized aircraft), or in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative or a pressurized aircraft. The flight training must include at least the following subjects:

• Normal cruise flight operations while operating above 25,000 feet msl. 
• Proper emergency procedures for simulated rapid decompression without actually depressurizing the aircraft. 
• Emergency descent procedures. 

Once you've met the flight training requirements and your instructor determines that you are proficient in the operation of a pressurized aircraft, he or she will endorse your logbook or training record.

I am not currently offering High Altitude endorsement training, but I can refer you to someone who does, click the link below and I will forward you their contact information.

There are two schools of thought about tailwheel (tail dragger) training: (1) It’s not really different than tricycle gear flying; and (2) Are you even a pilot if you can’t fly a tail dragger?

I’m of the later school of thought. If you want to dramatically improve your stick and rudder skills, click on the button below.

It’s a poorly kept secret that multi engine airplanes carry more people, carry them faster, and are sexier than the others. But with all that added capability comes additional training to mitigate the dangers these aircraft can pose to the pilot. Click below to get details about this rating.