High Altitude Endorsement

Ryan110175

Well-Known Member
I have an interesting question that everybody I ask seems to be fuzzy on, as it deals with an experimental. I had a potential student approach me and ask if I could help finish him up with an instrument rating in his Lancair. I was pretty excited to hear this and would love to help him do this, as those are fun airplanes. There was a snag, however.

I don't have a HA endorsement, as it's pressurized and capable of cruising in the high 20's. When I told him, he said it was fine because it's an experimental, and that he doesn't have an endorsement either. That's where everything gets gray. I cited 61.31 and believe that we both need one, regardless, and to be on the safe side. He agreed, and is going to arrange for both of us to get the HA on his dime, before we proceed, which should take care of that issue going forward.

My question is what's the status of all the time he's accumulated in the Lancair so far? He's flown over 800 hours and got his PPL in it, which makes me wonder if the DPE overlooked the lack of the HA or he agreed one wasn't necessary in an experimental.

Does anyone have any insight or ever dealt with a similar situation? I have zero experience in dealing with experimental and don't want to wander out into murky waters.
 
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Have you done a PIC checkride under 121, 125 or 135 in a pressurized aircraft? Because that counts to.

Experimentals don't mean you don't have to follow parts of 61. So, yes you both need to comply with 61.31(g).
Reading that reg again, you might be able to argue that is the aircraft is unpressurized(bleeds off), you could fly it without...maybe.
 
Have you done a PIC checkride under 121, 125 or 135 in a pressurized aircraft? Because that counts to.


Reading that reg again, you might be able to argue that is the aircraft is unpressurized(bleeds off), you could fly it without...maybe.

Additional training required for op-erating pressurized aircraft capable of op-erating at high altitudes

I believe the word that you need to remember is capable.


Sent from my GT-I9100
 
I'm still a newbie CFI, so i haven't taken a 121,125, or 135 check ride. Personally, I think we need one as the reg states if the aircrafts maximum operating altitude is greater than 25,000 ft, then we need one. I'm sure we could make an argument for any what-ifs, but it's better be on the safe side and avoid any scrutiny down the road.
 
I'm still a newbie CFI, so i haven't taken a 121,125, or 135 check ride. Personally, I think we need one as the reg states if the aircrafts maximum operating altitude is greater than 25,000 ft, then we need one. I'm sure we could make an argument for any what-ifs, but it's better be on the safe side and avoid any scrutiny down the road.

I think you can get the King course and download your endorsement..

http://www.kingschools.com/aviation-courses/professional/high-altitude-endorsement
 
Now I'm trying to figure out how much I should charge the guy for the day. Since he's paying for my high altitude endorsement, what would a fair price be for the day? We're flying to KC a (2.5hr flight), get the endorsement, and then complete the IFR cross-country on the way back. I'm tempted to just charge him the dual given time on the way back. I'm a newbie CFI, so I really have no experience to draw from on how to charge for this time, or if I should at all.
 
Now I'm trying to figure out how much I should charge the guy for the day. Since he's paying for my high altitude endorsement, what would a fair price be for the day? We're flying to KC a (2.5hr flight), get the endorsement, and then complete the IFR cross-country on the way back. I'm tempted to just charge him the dual given time on the way back. I'm a newbie CFI, so I really have no experience to draw from on how to charge for this time, or if I should at all.
You are a professional, charge like one.
 
Now I'm trying to figure out how much I should charge the guy for the day. Since he's paying for my high altitude endorsement, what would a fair price be for the day? We're flying to KC a (2.5hr flight), get the endorsement, and then complete the IFR cross-country on the way back. I'm tempted to just charge him the dual given time on the way back. I'm a newbie CFI, so I really have no experience to draw from on how to charge for this time, or if I should at all.

Its ultimately up to you, but if you weren't working with this guy at those times you could be making money working with another student so giving it away for free is pretty silly in my opinion and can paint the image of being unprofessional and not knowing your own worth. Most astute people will not respect a professional who discounts themselves excessively because you are effectively saying that you are worthless (no nicer way to put it). Now if you want to give the guy a friendly gesture, a discounted day rate or something like that might show good will but to just say the day is free is not a good idea in my opinion.
 
I'm definitely not trying to discount myself, just wondering what a fair rate would be, considering I'm receiving value as well. I've opted to charge a day rate.
 
I'm definitely not trying to discount myself, just wondering what a fair rate would be, considering I'm receiving value as well. I've opted to charge a day rate.
Well like Russ said maybe a discounted rate for his generosity but you need to remember this is a job and not a charity.
 
Now I'm trying to figure out how much I should charge the guy for the day. Since he's paying for my high altitude endorsement, what would a fair price be for the day? We're flying to KC a (2.5hr flight), get the endorsement, and then complete the IFR cross-country on the way back. I'm tempted to just charge him the dual given time on the way back. I'm a newbie CFI, so I really have no experience to draw from on how to charge for this time, or if I should at all.

You flying there in his airplane? To make you legal to fly his airplane?
 
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