High Performance endorsement in a light twin?

TGatch

TGatch

Well-Known Member
Our Flight school currently has a Duchess for multi training. It has two 180 hp engines. Am I correct in assuming I DON'T need the endorsement to operate it? It's obviously over the 200 hp together, but the FAR's say an airplane with AN engine more than 200. Just looking for clarification I guess.

(f) Additional training required for operating high-performance airplanes.


    • (1) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section, no person may act as pilot in command of a high-performance airplane (an airplane with an engine of more than 200 horsepower), unless the person has--


      • (i) Received and logged ground and flight training from an authorized instructor in a high-performance airplane, or in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of a high-performance airplane, and has been found proficient in the operation and systems of the airplane; and
(ii) Received a one-time endorsement in the pilot's logbook from an authorized instructor who certifies the person is proficient to operate a high-performance airplane.


  • (2) The training and endorsement required by paragraph (f)(1) of this section is not required if the person has logged flight time as pilot in command of a high-performance airplane, or in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of a high-performance airplane prior to August 4, 1997.
 
No HP needed for the duchess, though this reg pretty much makes no sense, as a PA44 with the two 180hp Lycomings in -20 temps (pick your scale, C or F) and A3030 with both props turning is a bit of a hot rod, especially when that's your currency flight and you're the only one on board, while I got my HP endorsement in a 230Hp 182 while the DA was up near 9,000. I get that they don't want somebody to go from brand new just learned how to fly a Cherokee 140 now I'm gonna fly my brand new Pilatus but at some point that line needs to be drawn. Honestly, with the majority of training taking place in 180hp aircraft these days anyway, it might make sense to up the HP for the high perf endorsement to something that's a little more, well, high performance.

</ late night rant >
 
You can read!!! I don't mean that in any kind of sarcastic way. Too many people post regulation questions, with the regulation, and if they'd just read it, they'd get it.

But you hit the key word. It says "AN engine." (emphasis added)
 
BTW, the FAA does not specify where the greater than 200 HP takes place. So something like a Seneca II would require a HP endorsement.
 
I believe the purpose of the high-perfomance endorsement is to show competence in engine management, not just airplane management. Generally anything over 200 HP is going to require more considerations towards managing temps, etc. and this is the spirit of the endorsement.
 
I think the regulation first came in around 1980. It was pretty much in response to one type of accident. That was the rich guy who got an ASEL private pilot certificate and immediately went out and bought something he wasn't capable of handling (like a P-51). Back then it was a "complex or high performance", so that one would satisfy the requirement for both. Then the lawyers morphed it into two separate endorsements as we have today.

There is certainly nothing magical about crossing a 200 HP line, but it is also part of many insurance policies. My understanding is that some engines that bench test at a little over 200 HP will be rated at 200 just to make it more attractive to buyers because of the lowever insurance premium.
 
Houston said:
There is certainly nothing magical about crossing a 200 HP line, but it is also part of many insurance policies. My understanding is that some engines that bench test at a little over 200 HP will be rated at 200 just to make it more attractive to buyers because of the lowever insurance premium.
Click to expand...

And that's why I hate the Piper Arrow. Actually when I say "Hate" I really mean "enjoy the heck out of" but they should have just given it the honest 210 and been done with it.
 
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