Training

Subpart C—Student Pilots

§ 61.81 Applicability.

This subpart prescribes the requirements for the issuance of student pilot certificates, the conditions under which those certificates are necessary, and the general operating rules and limitations for the holders of those certificates.

§ 61.83 Eligibility requirements for student pilots.

To be eligible for a student pilot certificate, an applicant must:

(a) Be at least 16 years of age for other than the operation of a glider or balloon.

(b) Be at least 14 years of age for the operation of a glider or balloon.

(c) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable

to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place

such operating limitations on that applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe

operation of the aircraft.

§ 61.85 Application.

An applicant for a student pilot certificate:

(a) Must make that application in a form acceptable to the Administrator; and

(b) Must submit the application to a Flight Standards office, a designated pilot examiner, an

airman certification representative associated with a pilot school, a flight instructor, or other

person authorized by the Administrator.

[Docket FAA-2010-1127, Amdt. 61-135, 81 FR 1306, Jan. 12, 2016, as amended by Docket FAA-2018-0119, Amdt. 61-141, 83 FR 9170, Mar. 5, 2018]

§ 61.87 Solo requirements for student pilots.

(a) General. A student pilot may not operate an aircraft in solo flight unless that student has met

the requirements of this section. The term “solo flight” as used in this subpart means that flight

time during which a student pilot is the sole occupant of the aircraft or that flight time during

which the student performs the duties of a pilot in command of a gas balloon or an airship

requiring more than one pilot flight crew member.

(b) Aeronautical knowledge. A student pilot must demonstrate satisfactory aeronautical

knowledge on a knowledge test that meets the requirements of this paragraph:

(1) The test must address the student pilot's knowledge of—

(i) Applicable sections of parts 61 and 91 of this chapter;

(ii) Airspace rules and procedures for the airport where the solo flight will be

performed; and

(iii) Flight characteristics and operational limitations for the make and model of

aircraft to be flown.

(2) The student's authorized instructor must—

(i) Administer the test; and

(ii) At the conclusion of the test, review all incorrect answers with the student

before authorizing that student to conduct a solo flight.

(c) Pre-solo flight training. Prior to conducting a solo flight, a student pilot must have:

(1) Received and logged flight training for the maneuvers and procedures of this section

that are appropriate to the make and model of aircraft to be flown; and

(2) Demonstrated satisfactory proficiency and safety, as judged by an authorized

instructor, on the maneuvers and procedures required by this section in the make and

model of aircraft or similar make and model of aircraft to be flown.

(k) Maneuvers and procedures for pre-solo flight training in a balloon. A student pilot who is receiving

training in a balloon must receive and log flight training for the following maneuvers and

procedures:

(1) Layout and assembly procedures;

(2) Proper flight preparation procedures, including preflight planning and preparation, and

aircraft systems;

(3) Ascents and descents;

(4) Landing and recovery procedures;

(5) Emergency procedures and equipment malfunctions;

(6) Operation of hot air or gas source, ballast, valves, vents, and rip panels, as appropriate;

(7) Use of deflation valves or rip panels for simulating an emergency;

(8) The effects of wind on climb and approach angles; and

(9) Obstruction detection and avoidance techniques.

(n) Limitations on student pilots operating an aircraft in solo flight. A student pilot may not operate an

aircraft in solo flight unless that student pilot has received an endorsement in the student's

logbook for the specific make and model aircraft to be flown by an authorized instructor who

gave the training within the 90 days preceding the date of the flight.

(o) Limitations on student pilots operating an aircraft in solo flight at night. A student pilot may not

operate an aircraft in solo flight at night unless that student pilot has received:

(1) Flight training at night on night flying procedures that includes takeoffs, approaches,

landings, and go-arounds at night at the airport where the solo flight will be conducted;

(2) Navigation training at night in the vicinity of the airport where the solo flight will be

conducted; and

(3) An endorsement in the student's logbook for the specific make and model aircraft to be

flown for night solo flight by an authorized instructor who gave the training within the 90-day

period preceding the date of the flight.

(p) Limitations on flight instructors authorizing solo flight. No instructor may authorize a student pilot

to perform a solo flight unless that instructor has—

(1) Given that student pilot training in the make and model of aircraft or a similar make and

model of aircraft in which the solo flight is to be flown;

(2) Determined the student pilot is proficient in the maneuvers and procedures prescribed in this

section;

(3) Determined the student pilot is proficient in the make and model of aircraft to be flown; and

(4) Endorsed the student pilot's logbook for the specific make and model aircraft to be flown,

and that endorsement remains current for solo flight privileges, provided an authorized

instructor updates the student's logbook every 90 days thereafter.

[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40902, July 30, 1997; Amdt. 61-104, 63 FR 20287, Apr. 23, 1998; Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44866, July 27, 2004; Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42557, Aug. 21, 2009; Docket FAA-2010-1127, Amdt. 61-135, 81 FR 1306, Jan. 12, 2016]

§ 61.89 General limitations.

(a) A student pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft:

(1) That is carrying a passenger;

(2) That is carrying property for compensation or hire;

(3) For compensation or hire;

(4) In furtherance of a business;

(5) On an international flight, except that a student pilot may make solo training flights

from Haines, Gustavus, or Juneau, Alaska, to White Horse, Yukon, Canada, and return

over the province of British Columbia;

(6) With a flight or surface visibility of less than 3 statute miles during daylight hours or

5 statute miles at night;

(7) When the flight cannot be made with visual reference to the surface; or

(8) In a manner contrary to any limitations placed in the pilot's logbook by an authorized

instructor.

(b) A student pilot may not act as a required pilot flight crew member on any aircraft for which

more than one pilot is required by the type certificate of the aircraft or regulations under

which the flight is conducted, except when receiving flight training from an authorized

instructor on board an airship, and no person other than a required flight crew member

is carried on the aircraft.

(c) A student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate must comply with the provisions of

paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section and may not act as pilot in command—

(1) Of an aircraft other than a light-sport aircraft;

(2) At night;

(3) At an altitude of more than 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher;

(4) In Class B, C, and D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, and

to, from, through, or on an airport having an operational control tower without having

received the ground and flight training specified in § 61.94 and an endorsement from an

authorized instructor;

(5) Of a light-sport aircraft without having received the applicable ground training, flight

training, and instructor endorsements specified in § 61.327 (a) and (b).

(d) The holder of a student pilot certificate may act as pilot in command of an aircraft without

holding a medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter provided the student

pilot holds a valid U.S. driver's license, meets the requirements of § 61.23(c)(3), and the

operation is conducted consistent with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this

section and the conditions of § 61.113(i). Where the requirements of paragraphs (a) and

(b) of this section conflict with § 61.113(i), a student pilot must comply with paragraphs

(a) and (b) of this section.

[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44867, July 27, 2004; Amdt. 61-125, 75 FR 5220, Feb. 1, 2010; Docket FAA-2016-9157, Amdt. 61-140, 82 FR 3165, Jan. 11, 2017]