Understanding Complex & Technically Advanced Aircraft

In April 2018, the FAA changed it’s long standing requirement for Commercial Pilot applicants to complete their practical exam in a “Complex” aircraft. Pilot’s could now, with seemingly the flip of a switch, use “Technically Advanced Aircraft”, or TAA for short, in lieu of this requirement. But what are these aircraft, what’s their difference, and why did the FAA only recently change the rule? 

What is a Complex Aircraft?

Let’s start by understanding Complex Aircraft. It’s obviously important for commercial pilots to develop skills flying more advanced aircraft. This is demonstrated in the FAA’s requirement, FAR § 61.129(a)(3)(ii), for commercial pilot applicants to have completed at least 10 hours of experience in these types of airplanes. So what are they?

Complex aircraft are defined in FAR § 61.1 as those having:

Here’s the caveat: Complex aircraft were, and are still, getting older, are more expensive to operate and maintain, and simply aren’t as widely available as many other general aviation trainers. More importantly, manufacturers have refrained from producing newer versions of complex aircraft due to their historically low sales. There simply aren’t as many Complex aircraft flying as once did. This presented a unique issue for those training  for their commercial license. Student’s found it difficult to meet the 10 hour complex aircraft requirement. Moreover, aging Complex aircraft were starting to wear, becoming progressively more unsafe…

Embry-Riddle University Piper Arrow Crash

Then came April 4, 2018 when an Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Piper Arrow crashed shortly after departure. The aircraft’s pilot was completing an exam for the commercial pilot license when witnesses described seeing the wing separate from the aircraft shortly after take-off.

Both the pilot and examiner were killed instantly as the aircraft impacted the ground after spiraling uncontrollably before crashing in a nearby field. The cause: metal fatigue in the wing spar resulting in catastrophic failure during flight. It was a tragic loss that immediately elicited the attention of the FAA.

FAA begins allowing Technically Advanced Aircraft

Following the ERAU accident, the FAA removed the requirement for commercial pilot applicants to complete their practical exams in Complex aircraft. More importantly, they began recognizing the use of Technically Advanced Aircraft experience to fulfill the FAR § 61.129(a)(3)(ii) requirement. So what is a TAA?

Technically Advanced Aircraft are defined in FAR § 61.1 as an airplane equipped with an electronically advanced avionics system. Further, TAA aircraft must have:

The change has allowed for a much greater selection of aircraft to be used during commercial pilot training. Many have welcomed it’s benefits. Technology has always seemed to outpace federal regulation and as many new advancements have entered the aviation marketplace, the older rules simply have not kept up with pioneering technologies. The use of TAA’s in aviation training is an  important step in the right direction. It marks the FAA’s recognition that cockpit automation is a fundamental part of the future of aviation. Technically Advanced Aircraft are the way of the modern pilot and benchmark an cornerstone innovation in aviation safety.