Transitions

Introduction:

  • 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
  • A complex airplane is defined as an airplane equipped with a retractable landing gear, wing flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller
    • 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
  • This lengthy description is what it means but for most private pilots it will refer to retractable landing gear and a adjustable pitch/constant speed propeller

High-Performance Transition:

Multi-Engine Transition:

Avionics Transitions:

  • Different aircraft have different avionics, most apparent when renting aircraft
  • Pilots must seek training for the avonics installed as they apply to the aircraft operation

Conclusion:

  • One of the largest differences when transitioning to different operations or aircraft in general are the new systems
    • Although easy to ignore, new systems may operate dramatically different than those experienced in the past
  • Transitioning to glass cockpit from gauges? Consider liberal use of heading bugs to help you maintain flight parameters
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Airplane Flying Handbook, Transition Training Syllabus
Airplane Flying Handbook, Transition Training Syllabus

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