# Complex airplane

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{{short description|Aircraft term}}
{{Use American English|date=May 2021}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2021}}
thumb|A Mooney M20J, an example of a complex airplane.

A '''complex [airplane](/source/airplane)''' is defined by the United States [Federal Aviation Administration](/source/Federal_Aviation_Administration) as an [aircraft](/source/aircraft) that has all of the following:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Multi Engine Rating - Definition, Privileges, & Requirements / ATP Flight School |url=https://atpflightschool.com/become-a-pilot/flight-training/multi-engine-rating.html |access-date=2023-12-04 |website=atpflightschool.com}}</ref>

*Retractable [landing gear](/source/landing_gear) (land aircraft only; a [seaplane](/source/seaplane) is not required to have this).
*A [controllable-pitch propeller](/source/Variable-pitch_propeller_(aeronautics)) (which includes airplanes with [constant-speed propeller](/source/constant-speed_propeller)s and airplanes with [FADEC](/source/FADEC) which controls both the engine and propeller; [turbojet](/source/turbojet) and [turbofan](/source/turbofan) airplanes, except very rare mixed-propulsion airplanes, are not considered complex).
*Movable or adjustable [flaps](/source/Flap_(aircraft)).

The current FAA definitions of "complex airplane" are found in the Airplane Flying Handbook FAA-H-8083-3C Chapter 12 and in FAA Order 8900.2C.

In the US, students generally train for their first pilot certificate in an aircraft with fixed landing gear and a [fixed-pitch](/source/blade_pitch) [propeller](/source/propeller_(aircraft)). It may or may not be equipped with flaps.

Before or after earning the [private pilot certificate](/source/Pilot_certification_in_the_United_States) [(PPL)](/source/Private_Pilot_Licence) (usually after), a pilot can be trained in complex aircraft operation by a [flight instructor](/source/flight_instructor). When the pilot has demonstrated proficiency in complex aircraft, the flight instructor endorses the pilot's logbook and the pilot is said to have a "complex endorsement".

As of April 24, 2018 the FAA requires a commercial pilot applicant and CFI applicant to have experience in a complex aircraft; however, the [practical test](/source/FAA_Practical_Test) may be taken in a non-complex aircraft for the [commercial pilot certificate](/source/Pilot_certification_in_the_United_States) (CPL) and the flight instructor certificate (CFI).

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20051225201114/http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=e73657dc11add4ab6acade20f29e539c&rgn=div5&view=text&node=14:2.0.1.1.2&idno=14#14:2.0.1.1.2.1.1.20 14 C.F.R., Sec. 61.31(e)]
*[http://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Order/8900_2_CHG_2.pdf 8900.2 – General Aviation Airman Designee Handbook]
*[https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Notice/N_8900.463.pdf N_8900.463 – Use of a Complex Airplane During a Commercial Pilot or Flight Instructor Practical Test]

Category:Aircraft by type

{{aviation-stub}}

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Complex airplane](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_airplane) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Complex_airplane?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.