Q. Is it difficult to fly an aircraft? A. 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).
Q. When may I begin to fly? A. Immediately. However,
you will need to apply for certain certificates, as described
in this guide, in preparation for solo flight.
Q.Is flying safe?
A. 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.
Q.
If engine failure occurs, what will happen? A. 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.
*Based on Title 14 of the Code of Federal
Regulations (14 CFR) part 61.
Student Pilot Flight Training
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Q. Must I have a Federal Communications
Commission (FCC) radiotelephone operator’s permit to operate
an aircraft radio transmitter?
A. No.
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.
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
Q.
When do I need a Student Pilot
Certificate?
A. Prior to solo flight.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Q. Where can I get a list of FAA-authorized
aviation medical examiners? A. The FAA publishes
a directory which lists al lFAA-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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.)
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
