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2 Answers

COMM SE add on to COMM ME

Asked by: 2452 views Commercial Pilot

I am working on adding a Comm SE to my Comm ME and then CFI-A. The school I am deeling with says I have to take the check ride in a complex single. Since I have already demonstrated the complex tasks in a ME is this necessary?

Thanks in advance.

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2 Answers



  1. Russ Roslewski on Apr 11, 2017

    I answered your question on the AOPA forums, but just for others here, I’ll paste it below:

    You do not need to use a complex aircraft for the Comm-ASEL, as you are correct, you have already performed the complex tasks. From page 9 of the Comm PTS, starting at the bottom:

    The aircraft must:
    “be a complex airplane furnished by the applicant, unless
    the applicant currently holds a commercial pilot certificate
    with a single-engine or multiengine class rating as
    appropriate,”

    For the CFI-A, yes you will have to do it in a complex aircraft, as you have not yet demonstrated those tasks from an instructional perspective. See page 11 of the CFI PTS:

    “Except as noted below, a complex airplane must be
    furnished for the performance of takeoff and landing
    maneuvers and appropriate emergency procedures. A
    complex landplane is one having a retractable landing gear,
    flaps, and controllable propeller. A complex seaplane is one
    having flaps, floats, and a controllable propeller. Airplanes
    that are equipped with a full authority digital engine control
    (FADEC) system are considered to have a controllable
    propeller.

    Note: When adding an airplane category rating to an existing
    flight instructor certificate, a complex aircraft is not required
    if the applicant already holds an airplane category, with
    either a single-engine or a multiengine class rating.”

    You do not hold an airplane CFI certificate, so you need the complex aircraft.

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  2. vernh59 on Apr 11, 2017

    Thanks again

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