Endorsements & Checkouts

Complex

(endorsement)

  • Required by the FAA to operate a “complex aircraft.”
  • Complex aircraft is defined as aircraft with the following:
    • Retractable landing gear; and
    • Retractable flaps; and
    • Controllable pitch propeller
  • Depending on pilot’s skill and ability to learn, this checkout may require five or more lessons/flights.

High Performance

(endorsement)

  • Required by the FAA to operate a “high-performance aircraft”
  • High-performance aircraft is defined as having engines greater than 200 HP
  • Depending on pilot’s skill and ability to learn, this checkout may require five or more lessons/flights

Catalina (KAVX), and
Big Bear (L35)

(checkout)

  • Required by Santa Monica Flyers and its insurers to operate an aircraft to or from either Catalina Airport or Big Bear Airport.
  • Depending on pilot’s skill and ability to learn, this checkout may require one or more lessons/flights.
  • A Catalina Checkout is done independently of a Big Bear Checkout. In other words, two checkouts are required if you want to rent and fly to both airports. 
  • Catalina (KAVX)
    • Minimum 30 hours total PIC time
    • Minimum 1-hour ground
    • Minimum 1 checkout flight
    • Minimum 3 total take-offs and landings at KAVX
    • Minimum 1 go-around at KAVX
    • Catalina checkout form must be completed by CFI doing the checkout
  • Big Bear (L35)
    • Minimum 30 hours total PIC time
    • Minimum 1-hour ground
    • Minimum 1-checkout flight
    • Minimum 3 total take-offs and landings at L35
    • Minimum 1 go around at L35
    • Big Bear checkout form must be completed by CFI doing the checkout

Transition to 172

(checkout)

  • Required by Santa Monica Flyers and its insurers to operate a Cessna 172SP and a Cessna 172SP NAV III (G1000 glass panel).
  • Pilots who have only flown in our Sport Cruisers will require this checkout.
  • Depending on the pilot’s skill and ability to learn, this checkout may require three or more lessons/flights
    • Minimum 1 ground lesson
    • Minimum 3-hours checkout
    • G1000: For those pilots having ≥ 20 hours in G1000 in C172, minimum 1 checkout flight

Transition to Cirrus SR20

(checkout)

  • Required by Santa Monica Flyers and its insurers to operate the Cirrus SR20
  • Pilots who have only flown in our SportCruisers or Cessna 172s will require this checkout.
  • Depending on the pilot’s skill and learning ability, this checkout may require five or more lessons/flights.
  • The training is based on a transition course from www.cirrusapproach.com
    • SR20 Perspective Transition (VFR) or Advanced Transition (IFR)
    • SR20 Perspective+ Transition (VFR) or Advanced Transition (IFR)
      • Available through our SR20 G6 model, N333YY.

Flight Review

(formerly BFR)

  • Required by the FAA to maintain any pilot’s license every 24 calendar months
  • A minimum of 1 hour of ground instruction and 1 hour of flight instruction
  • Our flight instructors may require more than the minimum instruction time to complete a BFR. This is largely based on the abilities and proficiency of the pilot receiving the flight review.

Instrument Proficiency Check

(aka IPC)

  • Required by the FAA to restore an instrument-rated pilot’s privilege to operate under Instrument Flight Rules (IFR), typically due to lapsing currency. 
  • Consists of several criteria outlined in § 61.57(d)
  • An IPC may take several flights to accomplish before the endorsement and/or 8710 form on IACRA can be completed

Spin Training

(for all pilots)

  • Required by the FAA to complete a CFI Certificate
  • Encouraged by our Flight Instructors for all pilots new and current — to be able to recover from an aerodynamic spin.
  • Accomplished in our aerobatic, tailwheel Super Decathlon by AryanAJ, or our Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, Daniel Collier

Tailwheel

(endorsement)

  • Required by the FAA to fly a tailwheel airplane
  • Accomplished in our aerobatic, tailwheel Super Decathlon by Aryan, AJ, or our Assistant Chief Flight Instructor, Daniel Collier