Transitions to other aircraft can occur in many ways including high performance, complex and tail-wheel aircraft
Transition to a complex airplane, or a high performance airplane, can be demanding for most pilots without previous experience
Increased performance and increased complexity both require additional planning, judgment, and piloting skills
Transition to these types of airplanes, therefore, should be accomplished in a systematic manner through a structured course of training administered by a qualified flight instructor
This sample syllabus for transition training is to be considered flexible
The arrangement of the subject matter may be changed and the emphasis may be shifted to fit the qualifications of the transitioning pilot, the airplane involved, and the circumstances of the training situation, provided the prescribed proficiency standards are achieved
These standards are contained in the Airman Certification Standards appropriate for the certificate that the transitioning pilot holds or is working toward
The training times indicated in the syllabus are based on the capabilities of a pilot who is currently active and fully meets the present requirements for the issuance of at least a private pilot certificate
The time periods may be reduced for pilots with higher qualifications or increased for pilots who do not meet the current certification requirements or who have had little recent flight experience
For a seaplane to be considered complex, it is required to have wing flaps and a controllable-pitch propeller
A high performance airplane is defined as an airplane with an engine of more than 200 horsepower
Why Transition?
The FAA Safety Team writes: "A recent study of general aviation accidents suggests that in addition to pilot proficiency, transition training and experience in diverse flight environments can improve a pilot's ability to recognize and successfully respond to new challenges"
Despite increasing the potential options to pursue aviation, fly aircraft where certain aspects of aviation are exagerated make for better pilots at large
An example would be a glider transition whereby adverse yaw is a more significant consideration during flight, due to the high aspect wings
Complex Transition:
A complex aircraft is defined by Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 61.1 as: an airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch propeller, including airplanes equipped with an engine control system consisting of a digital computer and associated accessories for controlling the engine and propeller, such as a full authority digital engine control; or, in the case of a seaplane, flaps and a controllable pitch propeller, including seaplanes equipped with an engine control system consisting of a digital computer and associated accessories for controlling the engine and propeller, such as a full authority digital engine control
