Venture West Aviation
@flyvwa.bsky.social
Take Action, Take Control, Take Flight
Bottom line:
High-performance flying starts with high standards.
Get trained. Get signed off. Earn that endorsement the right way.
High-performance flying starts with high standards.
Get trained. Get signed off. Earn that endorsement the right way.
July 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Bottom line:
High-performance flying starts with high standards.
Get trained. Get signed off. Earn that endorsement the right way.
High-performance flying starts with high standards.
Get trained. Get signed off. Earn that endorsement the right way.
So before you take the controls of that powerful new bird, ask yourself:
Am I trained?
Am I endorsed?
Am I legally PIC?
More horsepower should never mean cutting corners. The skies demand your best.
Am I trained?
Am I endorsed?
Am I legally PIC?
More horsepower should never mean cutting corners. The skies demand your best.
July 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
So before you take the controls of that powerful new bird, ask yourself:
Am I trained?
Am I endorsed?
Am I legally PIC?
More horsepower should never mean cutting corners. The skies demand your best.
Am I trained?
Am I endorsed?
Am I legally PIC?
More horsepower should never mean cutting corners. The skies demand your best.
Why does this matter?
Because aircraft with more horsepower don’t just fly faster—they introduce more complexity, more workload, and tighter margins for error. It’s about safety and responsibility.
Because aircraft with more horsepower don’t just fly faster—they introduce more complexity, more workload, and tighter margins for error. It’s about safety and responsibility.
July 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Why does this matter?
Because aircraft with more horsepower don’t just fly faster—they introduce more complexity, more workload, and tighter margins for error. It’s about safety and responsibility.
Because aircraft with more horsepower don’t just fly faster—they introduce more complexity, more workload, and tighter margins for error. It’s about safety and responsibility.
The endorsement isn’t a new certificate or rating.
But it’s required under FAR 61.31. Your instructor must confirm you’re proficient in the systems, performance, and decision-making involved with high-performance operations.
But it’s required under FAR 61.31. Your instructor must confirm you’re proficient in the systems, performance, and decision-making involved with high-performance operations.
July 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
The endorsement isn’t a new certificate or rating.
But it’s required under FAR 61.31. Your instructor must confirm you’re proficient in the systems, performance, and decision-making involved with high-performance operations.
But it’s required under FAR 61.31. Your instructor must confirm you’re proficient in the systems, performance, and decision-making involved with high-performance operations.
Any airplane with more than 200 horsepower is considered high-performance by the FAA.
And flying one legally requires more than your pilot certificate. It requires training and a very specific endorsement.
And flying one legally requires more than your pilot certificate. It requires training and a very specific endorsement.
July 15, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Any airplane with more than 200 horsepower is considered high-performance by the FAA.
And flying one legally requires more than your pilot certificate. It requires training and a very specific endorsement.
And flying one legally requires more than your pilot certificate. It requires training and a very specific endorsement.
Bottom line:
Know which class fits your flying
- Understand the limits of BasicMed
- Monitor your expiration dates
- Stay legal, stay safe
A healthy pilot is a safe pilot. Always.
Know which class fits your flying
- Understand the limits of BasicMed
- Monitor your expiration dates
- Stay legal, stay safe
A healthy pilot is a safe pilot. Always.
July 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Bottom line:
Know which class fits your flying
- Understand the limits of BasicMed
- Monitor your expiration dates
- Stay legal, stay safe
A healthy pilot is a safe pilot. Always.
Know which class fits your flying
- Understand the limits of BasicMed
- Monitor your expiration dates
- Stay legal, stay safe
A healthy pilot is a safe pilot. Always.
A crucial detail: your medical certificate expires at the end of the month in which you took the exam.
Not the exact date—the month’s end. Plan ahead to avoid unintentional grounding.
Not the exact date—the month’s end. Plan ahead to avoid unintentional grounding.
July 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
A crucial detail: your medical certificate expires at the end of the month in which you took the exam.
Not the exact date—the month’s end. Plan ahead to avoid unintentional grounding.
Not the exact date—the month’s end. Plan ahead to avoid unintentional grounding.
Aiming to be an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)?
You’ll need a first-class medical certificate, valid for:
- 12 months if under age 40
- 6 months if 40 or older
After expiry, privileges step down to second- or third-class based on time.
You’ll need a first-class medical certificate, valid for:
- 12 months if under age 40
- 6 months if 40 or older
After expiry, privileges step down to second- or third-class based on time.
July 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Aiming to be an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP)?
You’ll need a first-class medical certificate, valid for:
- 12 months if under age 40
- 6 months if 40 or older
After expiry, privileges step down to second- or third-class based on time.
You’ll need a first-class medical certificate, valid for:
- 12 months if under age 40
- 6 months if 40 or older
After expiry, privileges step down to second- or third-class based on time.
If you’re flying for hire—flight instruction, banner towing, sightseeing, etc.—you’ll need a second-class medical. It’s valid for 12 months for commercial privileges.
July 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
If you’re flying for hire—flight instruction, banner towing, sightseeing, etc.—you’ll need a second-class medical. It’s valid for 12 months for commercial privileges.
However, BasicMed comes with limitations:
- No more than 5 passengers
- Aircraft under 6,000 lbs
- Below 18,000 feet
- Max 250 knots
- No flying for hire
It’s a great option for hobbyists, but not for pros.
- No more than 5 passengers
- Aircraft under 6,000 lbs
- Below 18,000 feet
- Max 250 knots
- No flying for hire
It’s a great option for hobbyists, but not for pros.
July 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
However, BasicMed comes with limitations:
- No more than 5 passengers
- Aircraft under 6,000 lbs
- Below 18,000 feet
- Max 250 knots
- No flying for hire
It’s a great option for hobbyists, but not for pros.
- No more than 5 passengers
- Aircraft under 6,000 lbs
- Below 18,000 feet
- Max 250 knots
- No flying for hire
It’s a great option for hobbyists, but not for pros.
But there’s also BasicMed—an alternative to third-class. With BasicMed, you use a valid U.S. driver’s license and visit your personal doctor. No FAA medical examiner required.
July 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
But there’s also BasicMed—an alternative to third-class. With BasicMed, you use a valid U.S. driver’s license and visit your personal doctor. No FAA medical examiner required.
If you’re a student, recreational, or private pilot, you’ll generally need a third-class medical certificate. It’s the most common entry point for non-commercial flying.
July 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
If you’re a student, recreational, or private pilot, you’ll generally need a third-class medical certificate. It’s the most common entry point for non-commercial flying.
Know the rules, keep your documents accessible, and fly with confidence. The airspace rewards preparedness.
July 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Know the rules, keep your documents accessible, and fly with confidence. The airspace rewards preparedness.
Quick tip: You don’t need to carry proof of a flight review or aircraft checkout in flight. Just keep those records current and logged.
July 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Quick tip: You don’t need to carry proof of a flight review or aircraft checkout in flight. Just keep those records current and logged.
If the FAA, NTSB, or law enforcement stops you, you must show those documents right away. No exceptions.
July 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
If the FAA, NTSB, or law enforcement stops you, you must show those documents right away. No exceptions.
Recreational pilots flying more than 50 miles from their home airport also need a current logbook endorsement.
July 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Recreational pilots flying more than 50 miles from their home airport also need a current logbook endorsement.
Flying a glider or balloon? You don’t need the medical certificate. That’s one exception the FAA allows.
July 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Flying a glider or balloon? You don’t need the medical certificate. That’s one exception the FAA allows.
You must carry your pilot certificate, a valid government-issued photo ID, and a current medical certificate.
July 3, 2025 at 1:45 PM
You must carry your pilot certificate, a valid government-issued photo ID, and a current medical certificate.