1. Q. Where can I obtain my ground and flight school
training?
A. Most airport operators can furnish this information, or
you may contact the nearest FSDO.
2. Q. Is there a set number of flight instructional hours I
will receive before I solo?
A. 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.
3. Q. What should I know about Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) prior to my first solo?
A. 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.
4. Q. What does an appropriate logbook endorsement for solo
mean?
A. 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.
5. Q. When is the first solo endorsement required?
A. A student pilot must have a first solo endorsement dated
within 90 days prior to any solo flight.
6. Q. What is the difference between a Recreational Pilot
Certificate and a Private Pilot Certificate?
A. 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.
7. Q. Does a student pilot automatically have the privilege
of cross-country flying after soloing?
A. 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.
8. Q. As a student pilot, am I permitted to carry passengers
prior to receipt of my Recreational Pilot Certificate or Private
Pilot Certificate?
A. No.
9. Q. Must I have a Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) radiotelephone operator’s permit to operate an aircraft
radio transmitter?
A. No.
10. Q. For the purpose of obtaining an additional certificate
or rating, may the holder of a Recreational Pilot Certificate
act as pilot in command on flights:
(1) between sunset and sunrise; and
(2) in airspace which requires communication with air
traffic control?
A. Yes, provided an authorized flight instructor has given
the recreational pilot the required ground and flight training
in these areas, and endorsed the pilot’s logbook. The recreational
pilot will be required to carry the logbook with the required
endorsements on such flights.
11. Q. How can the holder of a Recreational Pilot Certificate
ensure that no inadvertent entry is made into airspace
requiring communication with air traffic control?
A. The pilot must select readily identifiable landmarks that
are well beyond the boundaries of the airspace requiring
communication with air traffic control. During training,
instruction in identification of airspace requiring
communication with air traffic control will be provided.
Student Pilot Requirements: Medical and
Student Pilot Certificates
11. Q. When do I need a Student Pilot Certificate?
A. Prior to solo flight.
12. Q. How do I obtain a Student Pilot Certificate?
A. 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.
13. Q. What are the requirements for a Student Pilot
Certificate?
A. 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.
14. Q. How long are my Student Pilot and medical
certificates valid?
A. 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 36 th
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.
15. Q. Can my Student Pilot Certificate be renewed?
A. 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.
16. Q. If my original Student Pilot Certificate has been
endorsed for solo, do I lose this endorsement on my new
certificate?
A. The endorsements are still valid, but are not transferred
to the new certificate. Retain the old certificate as a record of
these endorsements.
17. Q. Should my flight instructor endorse my Student Pilot
Certificate before or after my first solo flight?
A. 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.
18. Q. If I solo in more than one make and model aircraft,
must I have an endorsement for each on my Student Pilot
Certificate?
A. Yes. Your flight instructor must make this endorsement
prior to the first solo flight in each make and model aircraft.
19. Q. Does the endorsement to solo permit me to make solo
cross-country flights?
A. No. Your flight instructor must specifically endorse your
Student Pilot Certificate to permit cross-country flights.
20. Q. Must I carry my Student Pilot Certificate when I am
piloting an aircraft in solo flight?
A. Yes. The certificate should be in your physical possession
or readily accessible.
11. Q. Is there a charge for the Student Pilot Certificate?
A. 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.
12. Q. When do I need a medical certificate?
A. 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.
13. Q. If required, how do I get a medical certificate?
A. By passing a physical examination administered by a
doctor who is an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner.
14. Q. Where do I get my medical certificate?
A. From any FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner.
There are numerous doctors who are FAA-authorized aviation
medical examiners.
15. Q. Where can I get a list of FAA-authorized aviation
medical examiners?
A. 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.
16. Q. When required, what class of medical certificate must
a student pilot have?
A. 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.
17. Q. If I have a physical disability, is there any provision for obtaining
a medical certificate?
A. 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.
18. Q. Must I have my medical certificate, when I am piloting an aircraft
in solo flight?
A. Yes. The certificate should be in your physical possession
or readily accessible.
The Recreational Pilot and Private Pilot
Knowledge Tests
1. Q. What is the age requirement to take the recreational
pilot or private pilot knowledge test?
A. 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.
2. Q. How should I prepare for the knowledge test?
A. 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
satisfactorily completed a course of instruction or home-study course
in the knowledge areas appropriate to the category and class
aircraft for the rating sought.
19?3. Q. What document or documents must I present prior to taking
a
knowledge test?
A. 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.
4. Q. If I fail the knowledge test, is there any way to
determine the areas in which I need additional work so I can
study for a retest?
A. 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.
5. Q. If I pass the knowledge test, will I receive the same information
concerning areas in which I need additional work as I would if I failed
the test?
A. Yes. (Refer to the previous answer.)
6. Q. How long is a satisfactorily completed knowledge test valid?
A. 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
1. Q. Prior to taking the practical test, what aeronautical
experience must I have?
A. 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.
2. Q. Must I provide the aircraft for my practical test?
A. Yes. An applicant must provide an airworthy aircraft
with equipment relevant to the AREAS OF OPERATION
required for the practical test.
3. Q. What papers and documents must I present prior to
my practical test?
A. 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.
4. Q. What pilot maneuvers are required on the practical test,
and how will my performance of these operations be evaluated?
A. 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.
5. Q. What is the minimum age requirement for a Recreational Pilot
Certificate or Private Pilot Certificate?
A. 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.
6. Q. When can I take the recreational pilot or private pilot practical
test?
A. 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.
7. Q. Where can I take the practical test?
A. 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.
8. Q. Is there any charge for taking the practical test?
A. 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.
9. Q. May I exercise the privileges of my pilot certificate immediately
after passing my practical test or must I wait until I receive the
actual
pilot certificate?
A. 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.
10. Q. Is there a charge for the pilot certificate?
A. 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.