No. It is not particularly difficult. As a beginning student pilot, you will do most of the actual flying (handling the controls of the aircraft).

Immediately. However, you will need to apply for certain certificates, as described in this guide, in preparation for solo flight.

A well-built and maintained aircraft, flown by a competent and prudent pilot, makes flying as safe or safer than many other forms of transportation.

Modern aircraft engines are very reliable, and complete engine failure is a rare occurrence. If the improbable does happen, you will not “fall out of the sky.” Just do what the instructor had you practice during lessons—select a good landing area and land.

No. The instructor will not allow you to solo until you have learned to perform certain maneuvers. These maneuvers include safe takeoffs and landings. You must be able to maintain positive control of the aircraft at all times and to use good judgment.

Your flight instructor will determine that you are familiar with appropriate portions of 14 CFR part 61, the general and visual flight rules of 14 CFR part 91, and will administer and grade a presolo written test prior to solo endorsement. The presolo written test will also include questions on the flight characteristics and operational limitations of the make and model aircraft to be flown.

It means a verification by an authorized flight instructor showing that on the date specified, the student was given dual instruction and found competent to make solo flights.

A student pilot must have a first solo endorsement dated within 90 days prior to any solo flight.

The recreational pilot has fewer privileges than the private pilot. The holder of a Recreational Pilot Certificate is allowed to fly an aircraft within 50 nautical miles from the airport where instruction was received and cannot operate in airspace where communications with air traffic control are required. Since qualification training in these areas is not required, a person should be able to obtain a Recreational Pilot Certificate in fewer flight hours than required for a Private Pilot Certificate. All privileges and limitations of the Recreational Pilot Certificate are listed in 14 CFR part 61, section 101.

No. An instructor must have reviewed the pilot’s preflight planning and preparation for solo cross-country flight and determine that the flight can be made safely under the known circumstances and conditions. The instructor must endorse the student pilot’s logbook prior to each cross-country flight, stating the pilot is considered competent to make the flight. Under certain conditions, an instructor may authorize repeated solo flights over a given route.

No.

No.

Student Pilot Requirements:
Medical and Student Pilot Certificates

Prior to solo flight.

Upon your request, a combination medical certificate and Student Pilot Certificate will be issued by an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner upon the satisfactory completion of your physical examination. Student Pilot Certificates may be issued by an FAA inspector or an FAA-designated pilot examiner. Applicants who fail to meet certain requirements or who have physical disabilities which might limit, but not prevent, their acting as pilots should contact their local FSDO.

To be eligible for a Student Pilot Certificate, a person must:

(1) be at least 16 years of age, except for the operation of a glider or balloon, in which case the applicant must be at least 14 years of age;

(2) be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language; and

(3) hold at least a current third-class medical certificate, except for a glider or balloon flight.

The Student Pilot Certificate will expire at the end of the 24th month after the month in which it was issued. The third-class medical certificate will expire at the end of the 36th month after the month in which it was issued. Medical certificates issued after the age of 40, expire at the end of the 24th month in which it was issued.

No, but a new Student Pilot Certificate may be issued by an:

(1) FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner, upon completion of the required examination; or

(2) FAA inspector or FAA-designated pilot examiner if you already hold a valid medical certificate or if you are not required to hold a medical certificate.

The endorsements are still valid, but are not transferred to the new certificate. Retain the old certificate as a record of these endorsements.

The endorsement on the Student Pilot Certificate certifying that the holder is competent to solo must be made by the flight instructor prior to the first solo flight.

Yes. Your flight instructor must make this endorsement prior to the first solo flight in each make and model aircraft.

No. Your flight instructor must specifically endorse your Student Pilot Certificate to permit cross-country flights.

Yes. The certificate should be in your physical possession or readily accessible.

When the Student Pilot Certificate is issued by a FSDO, there is no charge. An FAA-designated pilot examiner is allowed to charge a reasonable fee for issuing Student Pilot Certificates, and processing the necessary reports. The FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner will charge a fee for the physical examination in connection with issuing the combination medical and Student Pilot Certificate.

You will need a medical certificate prior to solo flight if you are operating an airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, or airship. It is suggested you obtain your medical certificate prior to beginning flight training. This will assure you are aware of any condition which could prevent you from obtaining a medical certificate prior to making a financial investment in flight training.

By passing a physical examination administered by a doctor who is an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner.

From any FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner. There are numerous doctors who are FAA-authorized aviation medical examiners.

The FAA publishes a directory which lists all FAA-authorized aviation medical examiners by name and address. Copies of this directory are available at all FSDO’s, air traffic control facilities, and flight service stations. Airport managers and some aviation operators may also be able to supply this information.

Third-class, although any class will suffice. Medical certificates are designated as first-class, second-class, or third-class. Generally, the first-class is designed for the airline transport pilot; the second-class for the commercial pilot; and the third-class for the student, recreational, and private pilot.

Yes. Medical certificates can be issued in many cases where physical disabilities are involved. Depending upon the certificate held and the nature of the disability, operating limitations may be imposed. If you have any questions, contact an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner prior to beginning flight training.

Yes. The certificate should be in your physical possession or readily accessible.

The Recreational Pilot and Private Pilot Knowledge Tests

An applicant must be at least 15 years of age to take the test, although applicants for the balloon or glider tests must be 14 years of age. Prior to taking the knowledge test, an applicant shall be asked to present a birth certificate or other official documentation as evidence of meeting the age requirement.

To adequately prepare for the knowledge test, your instructor should review with you:

(1) 14 CFR part 61, section 97 (if preparing for the recreational pilot knowledge test); or

(2) 14 CFR part 61, section 105 (if preparing for the private pilot knowledge test).

The regulations require an applicant to have logged ground training from an authorized instructor, or to present evidence of having from an authorized instructor, or to present evidence of having a course in the knowledge areas appropriate to the category and class aircraft for the rating sought.

An applicant for a knowledge test must present appropriate personal identification. The identification must include a photograph of the applicant, the applicant’s signature, and the applicant’s actual residential address (if different from the mailing address). This information may be presented in more than one form. The applicant must also present one of the following:

(1) A certificate of graduation from an FAA-approved pilot school or pilot training course appropriate to the certificate or rating sought, or a statement of accomplishment from the school certifying the satisfactory completion of the ground-school portion of such a course.

(2) A written statement or logbook endorsement from an FAA-certificated ground or flight instructor, certifying that the applicant has satisfactorily completed an applicable ground training or home-study course and is prepared for the knowledge test.

(3) A certificate of graduation or statement of accomplishment from a ground-school course appropriate to the certificate or rating sought conducted by an agency, such as a high school, college, adult education program, the Civil Air Patrol, or an ROTC Flight Training Program.

(4) A certificate of graduation from a home-study course developed by the aeronautical enterprise providing the study material. The certificate of graduation must correspond to the FAA knowledge test for the certificate or rating sought. The aeronautical enterprise providing the course of study must also supply a comprehensive knowledge test which can be scored as evidence that the student has completed the course of study. When the student satisfactorily completes the knowledge test, it is sent to the course provider for scoring by an FAA-certificated ground or flight instructor. The instructor personally evaluates the test and attests to the student’s knowledge of the subjects presented in the course. Upon satisfactory completion, a graduation certificate is sent to the student.

(5) In the event of retesting after a failure, the applicant must present the unsatisfactory Airman Test Report. If the applicant elects to retest for a higher score, the satisfactory Airman Test Report must be surrendered to the test administrator.

Yes. You will receive an Airman Test Report from the testing center. The test report will contain your test score and will also list the subject matter knowledge codes for the areas in which you were deficient. An outline of the subject matter knowledge codes is located in the appendix of the appropriate knowledge test guide. A knowledge test guide, provides information for obtaining authorization to take a knowledge tests, and there is a guide for each category/rating. The knowledge test guide provides lists of reference materials and subject matter knowledge codes, and a list of computer testing designees (CTD’s). Refer to the Knowledge Test Guides Available section on page 10, for a listing of knowledge test guides available.

Yes. (Refer to the previous answer.)

2 years. A satisfactorily completed knowledge test expires at the end of the day of the 24th month after the month in which it was taken. If a practical test is not satisfactorily completed during that period, another knowledge test must be taken.

Recreational Pilot And Private Pilot Practical Tests

The specific aeronautical experience requirements are outlined in 14 CFR part 61. For the Recreational Pilot Certificate requirements, refer to section 99. For the Private Pilot Certificate requirements, refer to section 109.

Yes. An applicant must provide an airworthy aircraft with equipment relevant to the AREAS OF OPERATION required for the practical test.

The applicant will be asked to present:

(1) FAA Form 8710-1, Application for an Airman Certificate and/or Rating, with the flight instructor’s recommendation;

(2) an Airman Test Report with a satisfactory grade;

(3) a medical certificate (not required for glider or balloon), and a Student Pilot Certificate endorsed by a flight instructor for solo, solo cross-country (airplane and rotorcraft), and for the make and model aircraft to be used for the practical test;

(4) the pilot log book records; and

(5) a graduation certificate from an FAA-approved school (if applicable).

The applicant will be asked to produce and explain the:

(1) aircraft’s Registration Certificate;

(2) aircraft’s Airworthiness Certificate;

(3) aircraft’s operating limitations or FAA-approved aircraft flight manual (if required);

(4) aircraft equipment list;

(5) required weight and balance data;

(6) maintenance records; and

(7) applicable Airworthiness Directives.

If a detailed explanation of the required pilot maneuvers and performance standards is desired, refer to either the recreational pilot or private pilot practical test standards. The practical test standards may be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents or U.S. Government Printing Office bookstores. Refer to pages 6 and 7, of this guide, for directions.

An applicant must be 17 years of age. Although, applicants for the private pilot glider or free balloon rating may be 16 years of age.

14 CFR part 61 establishes the ground school and flight experience requirements for the Recreational Pilot Certificate and Private Pilot Certificate. However, your flight instructor can best determine when you are qualified for the practical test. You instructor should take you through a practice practical test.

Due to the varied responsibilities of the FSDO’s, practical tests are given by pilot examiners designated by FSDOs. You should schedule your practical test by an appointment to avoid conflicts and wasted time. A list of examiner names can be obtained from your local FSDO.

Since an FAA-designated pilot examiner serves without pay from the government for conducting practical tests and processing the necessary reports, the FAA-designated pilot examiner is allowed to charge a reasonable fee. However, there is no charge for the practical test when conducted by an FAA inspector.

The examiner will issue a temporary pilot certificate which is effective for a specific time period. This temporary pilot certificate is issued to a qualified applicant after successful completion of the practical test pending a review of qualifications and the issuance of a permanent certificate by the Administrator. The permanent certificate is issued to an applicant found qualified, and a denial is issued to an applicant found not qualified.

No. There is no charge for any original certificate issued by the FAA. However, fees will be charged by the FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner for the medical examination and by the FAA-designated pilot examiner for conducting the practical test. The FAA does charge to replace any pilot or medical certificate.