Transition to Complex Airplanes

References

• FAA AFH - FAA-H-8083-3C Chapter 12: Transition to Complex Airplanes
• FAA PHAK - FAF-H-8083-25C Chapter 7 - Aircraft Systems - Adjustable-Pitch Propeller
• Piper Arrow POH for ECAC PA28-R201's (srno range/date of manufacture range 2837044/1989 - 28444015/1998)
• This one applies to ECAC arrows... PA-28R-201 POH
• 14 CFR 61.31(e) complex aircraft training requirement
• 14 CFR 61.1 Complex Airplane Definition
• ECAC Renter quiz (you will have to complete this only if you intend to rent as PIC)
• ECAC complex aircraft checkout exam

Preparation

• Read the Airplane Flying Handbook Ch 12 Transition to Complex Airplanes
• Read the Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge Ch 7 Adjustable-Pitch Propeller
• Complete the ECAC complex aircraft checkout exam
• Review the Arrow POH

Ground Training

Definition of a complex airplane

• Complex airplane means 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.

Flaps

• When to raise the flaps, vs when to raise the gear

Constant Speed Propellers

Systems description

• Discussion on the different types of constant speed propellers
• Systems: Governor, speeder spring, fly weights, low and high pitch stops, governing range and blade angle control

Constant Speed Propeller Operation

• Use of manifold pressue and Tach for setting power
• Propeller over-speed procedures

Use of low-RPM in emergencies to extend gliding range

• See article Extendeding the Glide, Luca Bencini-Tibo
• Does the Arrow POH emergency procedures section direct reduction of prop RPM during an engine failure?
What about the ECAC checklist?
• What about paragraph 3.15 Power Off Landing from the Arrow POH?

Manifold pressure and RPM

• Review PHAK 7-6 and 7-7
• Order of adjustments to manifold pressure and RPM
• Manifold pressure indication in an engine failure
• Manifold pressure indication of carb ice (although the PA-28 is fuel injected)

Landing gear

Systems description

• Normal operation
• Emergency operation

Landing gear normal operation

• When to raise the gear on takeoff and go-around
• Touch and goes in retractable gear aircraft
• The after-landing checklist and the threat of an inadvertent gear retraction on the ground
• Philosophy on checklist execution and incorporating error traps (to prevent gear up landings or on-ground gear retraction)
• Practice emergency gear extension (LANDING GEAR PUMP circuit breaker... see POH 4.39)

Landing gear emergency operation

• Checklist procedures
• Off airport landings; making the decision to land gear up or gear down (POH 3.15)

Miscellaneous systems in the Arrow

• Flux gate compass system

Flight Training

• Runup
• Cruise checklist, engine leaning, and comparison to handbook data
• Flight at minimum controllable airspeed in the landing configuration
• Landing configuration stalls with recovery to a clean configuration
• Emergency gear extension with demo of NAV light effect on gear indications
• Operating the compass in DG and slaved mode
• Simulated engine-out at altitude with in-flight demo of extended glide in FULL DECREASE
• Landing patterns
• Full-flap balked landing