Design Feature Endorsements (‘DFE’) on Licences under the CASR Part 61 Flight Crew Licensing (‘FCL’) system include:
- Manual Propeller Pitch Control (‘MPPC’),
- Retractable Undercarriage (‘RU’),
- Tail Wheel Undercarriage (‘TWU’),
- Multi-Engine Aeroplane Centreline thrust (‘MEAC’),
- Gas Turbine Engine (‘GTE’), and
- Pressurisation System (‘PXS’),
and various combinations of the above, e.g., MPPC+TWU DFE.
All of our DFEs are professionally delivered – without any shortcuts – but as efficiently as possible to maximise your confidence and safety in operating more advanced aeroplanes. You will need to hold a PPL(A) as a minimum. A DFE will normally only take three days full time and 5.0 flight hours, including the Check Flight.
Note that DFEs do not require a formal CASA Flight Test, unlike Licences and Ratings.
Manual Propeller Pitch Control (‘MPPC’)
The MPPC DF is required before the CPL(A) Flight Test and often combined with the Retractable Undercarriage (‘RU’) DFE to allow PPL-holders to step up to more complex Single Engine Aeroplanes.
Retractable Undercarriage (‘RU’)
No longer required before the CPL(A) Flight Test. However it is sensible to complete this endorsement at the same time as the MPPC DFE if possible to save additional time and money later on.
Tail Wheel Undercarriage (‘TWU’)
Since the end of WWII and the beginning of the jet age, very few training or commercially-operated aeroplanes have the TWU DF. However, many sport aeroplanes, including most aerobatic trainers, have this feature. So, if you plan to buy or fly a sports aeroplane with a tailwheel undercarriage, you will need to complete this endorsement,
Multi-Engine Aeroplane Centreline thrust (‘MEAC’)
The MEAC DF is only needed if you plan to fly multi-engine aeroplanes with front and rear engine configurations, i.e., ‘centreline thrust,’ such as the Cessna 337 Skymaster.
Gas Turbine Engine (‘GTE’)
As turbine-powered General Aviation aeroplanes become more common, including for private use, the GTE DFE is becoming more sought after. For commercial career advancement beyond piston twins it’s a necessity, e.g., skydiving operations in the Cessna C208 Caravan.
Pressurisation System (‘PXS’)
Few piston twins these days but many gas turbine-powered General Aviation aeroplanes, e.g., Pilatus PC12, have pressurised cabins, requiring the PXS DFE. It is common to combine the GTE and PXS DFs by utilising a suitable aeroplane.