Complex Ratings Made Easy

January 12, 2024 by Eric Bradley

The endorsement you need to add to your private pilot certificate for flying complex aircraft has a somewhat intimidating name: the Complex Aircraft rating. However, there's nothing truly complicated about it, so don't let the name worry you.

A complex aircraft is simply an airplane that has at least one of the following features: retractable landing gear, movable flaps, or a controllable pitch propeller. Some complex aircraft may also be equipped with a FADEC system (Full Authority Digital Engine Control), which is an electronic system that helps manage engine performance for optimal efficiency.

Most pilots begin training in a Cessna 172, which has fixed landing gear. If you transition to an aircraft with retractable landing gear, pay extra attention to the preflight briefing, particularly when it comes to the correct speeds for retracting and extending the landing gear and flaps. Leaving these components extended too long can result in costly damage and pose safety risks. Forgetting to extend the landing gear before landing can be equally dangerous, as you can imagine.

A controllable pitch propeller doesn’t make flying more difficult, but it offers greater flexibility than a fixed-pitch propeller. It allows you to adjust the angle of the blades for optimal efficiency at different phases of flight. Additionally, it enables propeller "feathering" — a technique that helps prevent the propeller from windmilling (spinning without engine power), which can be hazardous. Some aircraft even have reversible pitch, which can improve braking performance.

If you understand basic aerodynamic principles like thrust, drag, and angle of attack, and you’re able to recall the proper procedures for retracting and extending gear and flaps, you already have the foundational knowledge needed to operate a complex aircraft.