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This question comes from Karl:

I’m thinking about buying a retractable gear aircraft with 250 HP engine from a CFI who lost his medical. I am certified in high perfomrance AC (C-182) but I only have under 2 hrs of retract time.

I’m interested in taking a flight in the AC and he tells me that since I have a current medical and rating in a high performance AC, that I could be the legal PIC, even though I am not checked out in this plane. He would fly along with me, of course.

This doesn’t seem right to me. What do you think?

Hi Karl.  Thanks for your question. There are a few things that you need to think about here 1) Legality and 2) Insurance and 3) Safety.

Legality

According to FAR 61.31paragraph f, in order to act as a pilot in command of an aircraft which has an engine of more than 200 horsepower you must have received and logged ground and flight training from an instructor AND you must have an high performance endorsement from that instructor in your logbook.  In addition, if you want to be pilot in command of a complex aircraft, FAR 61.31(e) says that you must also have ground AND flight training in complex airplanes with logbook endorsement.  And just as a reminder, a complex aircraft has flaps, retractable gear and a controllable pitch propeller.  So that means if the airplane you are wanting to buy is a complex, high performance airplane you need 2 separate logbook endorsements (not ratings).  As a side note, these endorsements are one time events.

Insurance

Every insurance company and policy is different.  I would recommend checking with the policy on the aircraft to make sure you meet the open pilot provisions.  It might require you to have so much time in the make and model or it may require a proficiency check in the make and model by an authorized instructor.  Like I said, every policy is different.  It is best to call and talk with the insurance company or broker if you have any questions about your policy.

Safety

If you feel uncomfortable flying this airplane with this other pilot, don’t do it, even if is “legal”. Find a pilot or instructor who meets all the provisions above PLUS someone you feel comfortable flying with.  There are countless stories of pilots getting themselves killed flying unfamiliar aircraft.  In case you missed it,  here is my personal story of flying a unfamiliar airplane.

Hope this helps.  Let me know what you decide to do and if you buy it.

Fly Safe (and legal)