When I began commercial pilot training, flight schools largely offered the Piper Arrow or Cessna 172RG Cutlass in which to train, since the airplane used during the commercial checkride had to be complex-defined as having retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch propeller.In 2018, the FAA added an alternative to complex aircraft for commercial pilot training: a technically advanced airplane (TAA). The TAA must have a glass panel-including a primary flight display, a GPS moving map, and an autopilot-but can have fixed landing gear and a fixed-pitch propeller. A few examples of TAAs used for commercial training include the Cessna 172S G1000, Piper 100, and Van's Aircraft RV-12.The FAA's acceptance of technically advanced airplanes for commercial training acknowledged two significant shifts in aviation. Avionics have become the most complex system on many airplanes and must be mastered by pilots-particularly when flying for compensation or hire. And, TAAs have become more available and typically cost less to rent than complex airplanes, reducing training time and expense.
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