Difference between revisions of "Common Questions and Answers"

Common Questions and Answers (view source)

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 This guide is written for the benefit of a person watching the airplane from the ground. As a result, it omits or simplifies certain steps in the process that are not evident from this position. Furthermore, it is written in reference to a B-25, but while there are minor differences from airplane to airplane (e.g. number of pilots and engines), the steps are generally similar.{{efn|For an in-cockpit example, see: {{cite web |title=(4K POV) B-25 Mitchell | Formation Flying & Low Passes | Tri-State Warbird Museum |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gP-6tXyT5B8 |website=YouTube |date=2024}}}} Third, while certain steps must occur in a specific order, a few can be performed at different points between the aircraft leaving the hangar and takeoff.
+=== What does it take to fly warbirds? ===
+It varies based on which aircraft is being referred to, but the following Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) restrictions apply to a at least one of a representative sample of World War II aircraft:
+* Complex – an aircraft that has two or more of the following features: flaps, retractable landing gear or a variable pitch propeller{{efn|There are a few other qualifying characteristics, such as full authority digital engine control, but no World War II aircraft have them.}}
+* High-performance – an aircraft with an engine that produces more than 200 horsepower
+* Multi-engine – an aircraft with more than one engine
+* Seaplane – an aircraft that can operate on water
+* Tailwheel – an aircraft with a centerline landing gear behind the main landing gear
+* Type rating/letter of authorization – an aircraft with a maximum gross takeoff weight of 12,500 pounds or greater{{efn|Again, a there are other aircraft, for example, jets, that require a type rating, but are not present at the museum.}}{{efn|A letter of authorization is identical to a type rating, but applies to experimental, rather than standard category aircraft.}}
+The following table is presented in lieu of a detailed explanation of the requirements for each airplane:
+{| class="wikitable"
+!  !! Complex !! High Perf. !! Multi !! Seaplane !! Tailwheel !! Type
+|-
+| AT-6 || ✓ || ✓ ||  ||  || ✓ ||
+|-
+| B-25 || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||  ||  || ✓
+|-
+| C-45 || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||  || ✓ ||
+|-
+| FG || ✓ || ✓ ||  ||  || ✓ ||
+|-
+| Fw 190 || ✓ || ✓ ||  ||  || ✓ ||
+|-
+| L-4 ||  ||  ||  ||  || ✓ ||
+|-
+| P-40 || ✓ || ✓ ||  ||  || ✓ ||
+|-
+| P-51 || ✓ || ✓ ||  ||  || ✓ ||
+|-
+| PBY || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ || ✓ ||  || ✓
+|-
+| PT-17 ||  || ✓ ||  ||  || ✓ ||
+|-
+| PT-22 ||  ||  ||  ||  || ✓ ||
+|-
+| TBM || ✓ || ✓ ||  ||  || ✓ || ✓
+|}
+Multi-engine, seaplane and type are ratings and complex, high-performance and tailwheel are "endorsements".{{efn|For the complete definitions of each restriction, see: {{cite web |title=Type Rating Requirements, Additional Training, and Authorization Requirements |url=http://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-A/section-61.31 |website=Code of Federal Regulations |access-date=6 August 2024}}}} The complex endorsement requires a private pilot's license, but high-performance and tailwheel do not.{{efn|Pilot's licenses are officially called "certificates" in the United States, but the two terms are interchangeable.}}
+Aside from the actual training, earning an endorsement is relatively simple, as it only requires a signature from a qualified instructor in the applicant's logbook.
+While they are not listed on the back of the physical card and do not require a commercial license, aviation endorsements are otherwise comparable to the endorsements on a driver's license in that they are additions to a license rather than an entirely separate level of license.
+Obtaining a type rating requires both access to an aircraft of that type and a designated pilot examiner, or DPE. As the number of flying warbirds are limited and the cost of operating them is high, doing so can be quite expensive. Therefore, it is not uncommon for organizations to "sponsor" a pilot – that is to say, pay for their training. However, because of the significant outlay, an informal commitment is generally expected of the pilot to fly for the organization.
+Aside from a tailwheel endorsement, anyone who can fly one of the Cessna 172s on the other side of the airport could fly the L-4 or J3. In fact, in a way these aircraft require less, as they are lightweight enough, less than 1,320 pounds, to be considered "light sport aircraft". This means they can be flown with a sport pilots license, which has less stringent requirements than a private pilot's license.
 == References ==