Transition to Unfamiliar Aircraft
Transition to unfamiliar aircraft — how to safely move to an airplane that is new to you, including experimental and technically-advanced types.
About this document
AC 90-109, Transition to Unfamiliar Aircraft, gives guidance for pilots moving to an airplane they have not flown before — a different make and model, a technically advanced aircraft, or an experimental/amateur-built type. It helps pilots and instructors build a realistic transition plan that accounts for the new aircraft's performance, systems, and handling, reducing the elevated accident risk of the early hours in a new type.
Read it online
Read the full document below, or download it from the FAA using the button above. Large documents open the first page immediately — you don’t wait for the whole file.
Loading document…
Ready to test what you’ve read?
Drill ACS-aligned practice questions with instant explanations — free, no account needed.
Take a free practice test →AC-90-109 is an official FAA publication in the public domain. We host a copy so you can read it in-browser; always confirm you are reading the current edition on faa.gov. The description above is an original summary and is a study aid, not a substitute for the document or the regulations.