CMPLX not reqd. for CFI-A or COM Practical
 

For those pursuing a CFI-A or COM SEL rating, the FAA has recently decided that you will no longer need to provide a complex airplane for your practical exam. See the notice at the link provided. In other news, prices of complex airplanes just took a nosedive.

https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/orders_notices/index.cfm/go/document.information/documentID/1033148

Indeed, just read it over. 10 hours of complex still required for the Commercial Initial, but that is it.

Does anyone know or want to contact the ACB to see if the Regs will eliminate the 10 hours of complex? This change allows greater flexibility but if you need to do 10 hours of complex training for the commercial, I’m not sure why a student would then want to get comfortable with the maneuvers in another type. After being proficient in the RG it only makes sense to do the checkride in that plane.

They're not getting rid of the complex time. They just did this to make it easier to schedule check rides, and cheaper.

I just don’t see how this reduces cost or makes things any easier.
For most people, 10 hours of complex training is more enough time to get ready for a commercial single. If someone wanted I guess they could do all the complex training and then do the checkride in a 152 which would save them about 50-100, but as an instructor I wouldn’t feel comfortable with that. They would need to do at least one flight to demonstrate proficiency which would cost them about $200. And from a scheduling standpoint, it’s harder to schedule a non complex plane since they are used for the private and instrument, whereas the complex is used exclusively for the commercial. The only benefit of this change is that someone with previous complex time could then do the training in a non complex. But they would have still spent the money on ten hours of complex so they aren’t saving anything.

I understand the reasoning behind this (complex trainers no longer being made), but all this appears to be missing something. The only logical follow though would be to remove the 10 hours complex.

Someone could get checked out in a complex and use it for cross countries like it was meant for. Far less hard landings and constant gear cycling should help with keeping existing airplanes in good shape.

A military pilot who wants a CFI would not have to rent a complex aircraft, and could do CFI training and checkride in a C152.

Joe

They want you to have familiarity with gear and CS prop. But you don't need to become proficient in all the maneuvers and landings in a complex airplane. Saves money and wear and tear on the complex trainers.

How can you demonstrate proficiency in what you’re allowed to teach if you don’t bring a complex to your CFI checkride?

You did that for the complex endorsement.