📘14 CFR §61.31 — Type Ratings and Additional Training Requirements

✏️ Plain-English Summary:

This reg tells you when additional training or endorsements are required to fly specific aircraft — even if you're already a rated pilot. It covers type ratings, complex, high performance, tailwheel, and more.

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✅ Key Takeaways for PPL Students:

🛫 Type Ratings Are Required For:

• Aircraft over 12,500 lbs max gross takeoff weight (except lighter-than-air)

• Turbojet-powered airplanes

• Powered-Lift

• Any aircraft the FAA deems needs a type rating (it's listed on the type certificate)

Most general aviation aircraft (like the Cessna 172 or DA40) don’t require a type rating.

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✍️ Additional Training & Endorsements Required For:

Aircraft Type	Required Endorsement?
High-Performance (engine > 200 HP)	✅ Yes
Complex Aircraft (retractable gear, flaps, constant-speed prop)	✅ Yes
Tailwheel Aircraft	✅ Yes
Pressurized Aircraft (>25,000’ ceiling)	✅ Yes
Turbine-powered aircraft	✅ Yes (separate training)

🧠 These endorsements are in addition to your Private Pilot Certificate and logged in your logbook by a CFI.

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✈️ Scenario:

You’re a newly certificated Private Pilot in a C172. Your friend wants you to fly their Cirrus SR22 (310 HP). ❌ You can’t — it’s high performance, and you need an endorsement from a CFI.

Another friend has a Piper Arrow (constant-speed prop, retractable gear, flaps). ❌ That’s complex — again, you need an endorsement.

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🎓 CFI Teaching Tip:

Use real aircraft examples to help students understand which category they’re flying under. Also point out that aircraft limitations are in the logbook, not on the license. The FAA won’t send a new certificate when you get a tailwheel or complex endorsement — it’s a logbook item.

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📚 References:

• FAR: 14 CFR §61.31

• AC 61-98D: Guidance on high performance/complex aircraft