Peter wrote:
HPA needs an exam plus FTO bum on seat time even if you did the full IR.
That I think has changed – if you have CBIR and want to fly higher than FL250, for example, you need to get through a theory with an ATO (could be done remotely), no exams anymore.
arj1 wrote:
That I think has changed – if you have CBIR and want to fly higher than FL250, for example, you need to get through a theory with an ATO (could be done remotely), no exams anymore.
That is correct. The relevant part of FCL.720.A reads:
(2) Single-pilot high-performance non-complex aeroplanes
Before starting flight training, applicants for the issue of a class or type rating for a single-pilot aeroplane classified as a high-performance aeroplane shall:
(i) have at least 200 hours of total flying experience, of which 70 hours as PIC in aeroplanes; and
(ii) comply with one of the following requirements:
(A) hold a certificate of satisfactory completion of a course for additional theoretical knowledge undertaken at an ATO; or
(B) have passed the ATPL(A) theoretical knowledge examinations in accordance with this Annex (Part-FCL); or
(C) hold, in addition to a licence issued in accordance with this Annex (Part-FCL), an ATPL(A) or CPL(A)/IR with theoretical knowledge credit for ATPL(A), issued in accordance with Annex 1 to the Chicago Convention
Option A does not require an exam.
What’s the UK definition of a HPA?
I see some sources state greater than 140kt cruise and others that state greater than 200hp.
None of that is remotely correct.
Don‘t mix up HPA definitions with complex definitions.
In short, no SEP ot MEP aircraft is HPA. In essence, HPA starts with the Meridian and Jetprop.
The authoritative EASA list is here.
I assume that the UK has not yet made any changes to these definitions since Brexit.
Not aware of any deviation here.
“EASA complex” is also something else: 18+ seats OR ME turboprop OR turbojet OR 5700kg+. A definition carefully chosen to poke at the US made King Air while preserving Socata (TBM) and Pilatus (PC12) as “non complex” 
Later the ME was removed – history here. But this really affects airframe maintenance requirements, not pilot papers like HPA.
The 200HP+ stuff is FAA Complex which requires a logbook entry by an FAA CFI/CFII to confirm the extra training was delivered. I had to get that (TB20). An FAA checkride done in the type will also do the job.
As usual, a search on HPA digs out lots of stuff.
boscomantico wrote:
In short, no SEP ot MEP aircraft is HPA. In essence, HPA starts with the Meridian and Jetprop.
C421, C340? They are HPA, as they are certified to go above FL250.
Nope. They aren‘t even on that list.
Very unlikely any newcomer to GA will be flying these. The avgas twin business was just active when I started in 2001 and has gone downhill ever since. Except for the capital cost difference you can run a TBM700 sort of plane for the cost of running a 421C. But the TBM will need HPA in Europe, not to mention the TBM Class Rating, but those are not a big thing for someone at that level.
A definition carefully chosen to poke at the US made King Air while preserving Socata (TBM) and Pilatus (PC12) as “non complex”
Maybe. Then again, EASA divided the non complex turbines into separate classes all requiring a unique class rating.
Instead of a Class Rating “SET” with differences training between different models, there is an entirely separate rating for PC12, PA46, TBM etc. IMO this is a much bigger “poke”, and it hits home, too.
Further, MET <5700kg are permitted for operation according to Pt. NCO, just like SET, by derogation.
Right, but the HPA endorsement needs a bit more TK if you took the CBIR route as compared to the traditional modular IR.
There are online ATO courses where you can do this in a day of self study and a multiple choice test.
AMC1 FCL.720.A(b)(2)(i) Experience requirements and prerequisites for the issue of class or type ratings – aeroplanes
ED Decision 2020/018/R
ADDITIONAL THEORETICAL KNOWLEDGE FOR A CLASS OR TYPE RATING FOR HIGH-PERFORMANCE SINGLE-PILOT (SP) AEROPLANES
(a) A number of aeroplanes certificated for SP operation have similar performances, systems and navigation capabilities to those more usually associated with MP types of aeroplanes, and regularly operate within the same airspace. The level of knowledge required to operate safely in this environment is not part of, or not included to the necessary depth of knowledge in the training syllabi for the PPL, CPL or IR but these licence holders may fly as PIC of such aeroplanes. The additional theoretical knowledge required to operate such aeroplanes safely is obtained by completion of a course at an ATO.
(b) The aim of the theoretical knowledge course is to provide the applicant with sufficient knowledge of those aspects of the operation of aeroplanes capable of operating at high speeds and altitudes, and the aircraft systems necessary for such operation.
COURSE SYLLABUS
(c) The course will be divided in a VFR and an IFR part, and should cover at least the following items of the aeroplane syllabus to the ATPL(A) level:
FOR VFR OPERATIONS:
Subject ref.:
Syllabus content:
021 00 00 00
AIRCRAFT GENERAL KNOWLEGDE: AIRFRAME,
SYSTEMS, AND POWER PLANT
021 09 01 03
021 09 03 00
021 09 03 02
021 09 03 03
021 09 04 00
021 09 04 01
021 09 04 03
021 09 04 04
Alternating current
Generation
AC generation
Constant speed drive (CSD) and integrated drive generator (IDG) systems Distribution
General
AC distribution
Electrical load management and monitoring systems: automatic generators and bus switching during normal and failure operation, indications and warnings
021 06 01 01
Piston-engine air supply
021 06 01 02
Gas turbine engine: bleed-air supply
021 10 10 01
021 11 03 01
021 10 04 01
021 03 01 09
Performance
Engine fuel system
Carburettor: design, operation, degraded modes of operation, indications and warnings
Mixture
021 11 00 00 to
021 11 01 04
Turbine engines
021 13 00 00
Oxygen systems
032 03 00 00
Performance class B: ME aeroplanes
032 03 03 01
032 03 03 02
032 03 03 04
032 01 03 00
032 01 04 00
032 01 05 00
032 02 04 00
Take-off
Climb
Landing
Level flight, range and endurance
Climbing
Descending
Climb, cruise and descent
040 00 00 00
HUMAN PERFORMANCE
040 02 01 00 to
040 02 01 03
Basic human physiology and
High-altitude environment
050 00 00 00
METEOROLOGY
050 02 07 00
050 02 05 00
Jet streams
Standing waves
050 09 01 00 to
050 09 04 05
Flight hazards
Icing and turbulence
Thunderstorms
062 03 00 00
Basic radar principles
062 03 00 01 to
062 03 04 00
Basic radar principles
Airborne radar
SSR
081 00 00 00
PRINCIPLES OF FLIGHT: AEROPLANES
081 02 01 00
081 02 02 00
081 02 03 00
SpeedsShock waves
Effects of exceeding MCRIT
FOR IFR OPERATIONS
Subject ref.:
Syllabus content:
010 00 00 00
AIR LAW
010 06 07 00
Simultaneous operation on parallel or near-parallel instrument runways
010 06 08 00
Secondary surveillance radar (transponder) operating procedures
022 00 00 00
AIRCRAFT GENERAL KNOWLEDGE – INSTRUMENTATION
022 01 02 00
Temperature sensing
022 03 04 00
Flux valve
022 12 00 00
ALERTING SYSTEMS, PROXIMITY SYSTEMS
022 12 07 00
Altitude alert system
022 12 08 00
Radio-altimeter
022 12 10 00
ACAS/TCAS principles and operation
022 13 03 01
Electronic flight instrument system (EFIS) — Design, operation
050 00 00 00
METEOROLOGY
050 02 06 03
Clear-air turbulence (CAT) – Description, cause and location
050 10 02 03
Upper-air charts
062 00 00 00
RADIO NAVIGATION
062 02 05 04
ILS — Errors and accuracy
(d) Demonstration of acquisition of this knowledge is undertaken by passing an examination set by an ATO. A successful pass of this examination results in the issue of a certificate indicating that the course and examination have been completed.
(e) The certificate represents a ‘once only’ qualification and satisfies the requirement for the addition of all future high performance aeroplanes to the holder’s licence. The certificate is valid indefinitely and is to be submitted with the application for the first HPA type or class rating.
(f) A pass in any theoretical knowledge subjects as part of the HPA course will not be credited against meeting future theoretical examination requirements for issue of a CPL(A), IR or ATPL(A).
(g) The applicant who has completed a competency-based modular IR course according to Appendix 6 Aa needs to complete both VFR and IFR parts of this course.
(h) The applicant who has completed a modular IR course according to Appendix 6 A only needs to complete the VFR part of this course.
