Tailwheel

A Tailwheel Endorsement allows a pilot to fly airplanes with a conventional gear. Additional training is required for tailwheel airplanes because their ground-handling varies from the handling of a tricycle gear aircraft. This is due to the small tailwheel always trying to swing around the front of the main gear. This uncontrolled turn, called a groundloop, can make the airplane flip over, inflicting serious bodily injury and aircraft damage.

 

High Performance

For a High Performance Endorsement, a pilot must receive training in an aircraft with an engine larger than 200 horsepower. A pilot must be able to handle the complex systems of high performance aircraft and understand the adverse effects of increased P-factor and torque on the aircraft.

Complex

Complex aircraft are airplanes with variable pitch propellers and retractable landing gears. Complex students must receive instruction in a complex aircraft in order to become familiar the greater number of aircraft systems. Another aspect of training involves remembering to retract/extend the landing gear and learning proper gear failure procedures. Amphibian floats and wheel skiis are also considered retractable gears.