Warbird Information Exchange

I have several questions here:

1- I'm pretty sure the TBM requires an LOA does it?
2- Say you have your Tailwheel rating and you have flown for quite some time do you have to have a high performance rating to obtain your LOA.

I hope these questions are dumb.

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"Keep 'em Flying!"

LOAs no longer exist. You need the same things you would require for any other high performance complex aircraft. Then you would need to do a type ride for your type rating to be added to your license.

Welcome to the new and somewhat confusing world of warbird checkouts. Gone are the good ole days of LOAs, which have been replaced by Experimental Type Ratings. The good news is that, unlike LOAs the ETRs don't expire (although you do have to maintain currency just like any other rating) and it's not at the discretion of the FSDO whether or not to award a rating (some FSDOs just would not issue LOAs to anyone).

The bad news is they are more complicated to get.

The first step in the process is to find an instructor who is authorized to give instruction in the TBM. Instructors have to attend special warbird training in OK City with the FAA, then they have to submit an aircraft specific training program for the TBM. Bottom line, there will not be many of these guys around. Most of the training programs involve some ground school (systems, checklists, etc.) and dual (usually in a T-6). After the training is complete the instructor can then recommend you for the checkride, which must be with another examiner or someone from the FAA. In single seat warbirds this usually means 3 takeoffs and landings to a full stop, but it's up to the examiner. After the checkride you and the examiner fill out an 8710 form and you send it in with your old license. In about 60 days your new license will arrive, with a section of the back called XIII Limitations "Authorized Experimental Aircraft" and will list the TBM.

Now, I want to say that I am definately NOT an expert on this, and some of the information could have changed or just be wrong. These ratings have been a moving target for the past three years, and the bottom line is that it just isn't as easy as it used to be.

Hope this helps.

Steve

Hi Steve!

Is it still 500 hours PIC for greater than 800 horsepower?

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DEEP THOUGHTS BY KIDS:
"If we could just get everyone to close their eyes and visualize world peace for an hour, imagine how serene and quiet it would be until the looting started. Age 15 "


Deep Thoughts,
Jack Handy

It used to be 1000 PIC for an LOA. I know there was talk of taking it to 500 PIC and requiring an Instrument Rating, but I don't believe that recommendation went forward.

I believe 500 is correct, but don't quote me on that.

I know of only a very few TBM's that are still catagorized Experimental. Almost all are Limited Catagory, and require a type rating (based primarily on 12,500lb operating weights). If my memory serves, the only TBM that I know of with an experimental designation in the R model out in WA. I'm sure there are a few more, but I can't think of them right now.

To my knowledge, it's 500 hours PIC for any Experimental Type Rating (I had just over 600 hrs when I got my Sea Fury LOA), but I can assure you that the less time you have, the more you'll be raked over the coals with systems questions, flight characteristics, and so on...which is a good thing really.

I think Steve is right about the instrument rating issue. I had heard there were some folks that tried to push it through, but I don't believe it ever became a requirement. Insurance companies may want a whole list of extra things though. Again, I was just a plain-jane private pilot when I got my Fury rating...only thing was is that it says Day VFR, which suits me just fine.

Gary Austin