Complex airplane

A Mooney M20J, an example of a complex airplane.

A complex airplane is defined by the United States, Federal Aviation Administration as an aircraft that has all of the following:

• A retractable landing gear (land aircraft only; a seaplane is not required to have this)
• A controllable-pitch propeller (which includes constant-speed propellers)
• Movable or adjustable flaps.

In the U.S., students generally train for their first pilot certificate in an aircraft with fixed landing gear and a fixed-pitch propeller. It may or may not be equipped with flaps.

Before or after earning the private pilot certificate (PPL) (usually after), a pilot can be trained in complex aircraft operation by a flight instructor. When the pilot has demonstrated proficiency in complex aircraft, the flight instructor endorses the pilot's logbook and the pilot is said to have a "complex endorsement".

The FAA requires a pilot to have experience in, and take at least part of the practical test in, a complex airplane in order to earn the commercial pilot certificate (CPL) and the flight instructor certificate (CFI).

References

• 14 C.F.R., Sec. 61.31(e)
• 8900.2 - General Aviation Airman Designee Handbook