CFI-A Lesson 14

Today's lesson was a ground discussion only; no brief involved. The subject matter was complex airplanes. The FAA defines a complex (land-based) airplane as an airplane with retractable landing gear, a controllable pitch propeller, and pilot-adjustable flaps. At FlightSafety, we use the Piper Arrow to fill this role. I already have quite a few hours in the Arrow here, thanks to completing my Commercial certificate here last fall.

Having all the performance and checkout paperwork complete was a nice step up for me. All I needed to do for this lesson was review the material that I covered last fall, and go into some instructor-level depth on the operation of the constant speed propeller and the landing gear.

The lesson went fine, with no surprises. I did forget to mention that the landing gear will effect a few of the maneuvers that the student will need to practice, but my instructor pointed that out and I described the differences; specifically the Power-off 180 to Landing. The Arrow loses altitude much quicker than the Cadet. If the student is not prepared for this, he will come up very short of the runway.