Did you know? Other Private Pilot Certificate ratings & add-ons

Unlike adding an additional Class rating, some add-ons can be acquired without the need to pass an additional checkride. For aircraft that are similar enough in characteristics to the same category and class as the aircraft you hold a certificate in, you simply need to perform adequate training with an instructor and have that instructor endorse your logbook. Here are some of those aircraft add-ons:

• Tailwheel
  • A Tailwheel endorsement does not require a minimum number of flight hours to obtain it
  • A Tailwheel endorsement doesn’t even require an additional checkride
  • Your instructor just needs to determine that you are proficient in the tailwheel aircraft and then they endorse your logbook
    • The FAA does mandate that your instructor grade you on Normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings as well as Go-around procedures specifically for tailwheel aircraft. But, this can usually be accomplished in a few hours of training
  • You still have to hold a Private Pilot certificate and be proficient and current under that certificate
• Complex Airplane
  • A complex airplane is considered an airplane that has retractable landing gear, flaps and a controllable pitch propeller (or for a sea plane just flaps and a controllable pitch propeller)
  • There are no minimum number of flight hours required
  • You are required to receive ground and flight training from an instructor and be endorsed for being proficient in a complex airplane
    • The training can be in a complex airplane or an a flight simulator that represents a complex airplane
• High Performance Airplane
  • A high performance airplane is currently defined as an airplane with an engine with more than 200 horsepower
  • Pilots must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor in a high performance airplane and be deemed proficient by the instructor
  • Once deemed proficient your instructor will endorse your logbook
• High Altitude
  • To receive an endorsement for high altitude flight a pilot must receive ground training and an endorsement from an authorized instructor
  • The ground training must include the following:
    • High altitude aerodynamics
    • High altitude meteorology
    • Respiration
    • Effects, symptoms and causes of hypoxia and other high altitude sicknesses
    • 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 pilot must ALSO receive flight training and an endorsement from an authorize instructor
  • The flight training must be completed in a pressurized aircraft (an aircraft that has a service ceiling or maximum operating altitude, whichever is lower, above 25,000 ft. MSL) and must include the following:
    • Normal cruise flight operations while operating above 25,000 ft MSL
    • Proper emergency procedures for simulated rapid decompression without actually depressurizing the aircraft
    • Emergency descent procedures
• Experimental Aircraft
  • No person may operate an aircraft that has an experimental certificate…
    • For other than the purpose for which the certificate was issued
    • For carrying persons or property for compensation or hire unless…
      • It is to tow a glider that is a light-sport aircraft or unpowered ultralight vehicle or to conduct flight training as long as it has been inspected by appropriately rated person in preceding 100 hours
    • For lease
    • Outside the area assigned by the administrator until it is shown that the aircraft is controllable throughout its normal range of speeds and throughout all maneuvers to be executed AND the aircraft has no hazardous operating characteristics or design features
  • No person (unless otherwise authorized) may operate an aircraft that has an experimental certificate over a densely populated area or in a congested airway.
    • The administrator MAY issue special operating limitations for particular aircraft to permit takeoffs and landings to be conducted over a densely populated area
  • When operating an experimental aircraft you MUST…
    • Advise each person being carried that is it an “experimental aircraft”
    • Operate under VFR, day only, unless otherwise authorized
    • Notify control tower that the aircraft is “experimental”