To be eligible for a private pilot
certificate, a person must:
(a) Be at least 17 years of age for a
rating in other than a glider or balloon.
(b) Be at least 16 years of age for a
rating in 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.
(d) Receive a logbook endorsement from
an authorized instructor who:
(1) Conducted the training or reviewed
the person's home study on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in Sec.
61.105(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and
(2) Certified that the person is
prepared for the required knowledge test.
(e) Pass the required knowledge test on
the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in Sec. 61.105(b) of this part.
(f) Receive flight training and a
logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
(1) Conducted the training in the areas
of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft
rating sought; and
(2) Certified that the person is
prepared for the required practical test.
(g) Meet the aeronautical experience
requirements of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought before
applying for the practical test.
(h) Pass a practical test on the areas
of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft
rating sought.
(i) Comply with the appropriate
sections of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating
sought.
Sec. 61.105
Aeronautical knowledge.
(a) General. A person who is applying
for a private pilot certificate must receive and log ground training from an
authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on the aeronautical
knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section that apply to the aircraft
category and class rating sought.
(b) Aeronautical knowledge areas.
(1) Applicable Federal Aviation
Regulations of this chapter that relate to private pilot privileges,
limitations, and flight operations;
(2) Accident reporting requirements of
the National Transportation Safety Board;
(3) Use of the applicable portions of
the "Aeronautical Information Manual" and FAA advisory circulars;
(4) Use of aeronautical charts for VFR
navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems;
(5) Radio communication procedures;
(6) Recognition of critical weather
situations from the ground and in flight, wind shear avoidance, and the
procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;
(7) Safe and efficient operation of
aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake
turbulence;
(8) Effects of density altitude on
takeoff and climb performance;
(9) Weight and balance computations;
(10) Principles of aerodynamics, power
plants, and aircraft systems;
(11) Stall awareness, spin entry,
spins, and spin recovery techniques for the airplane and glider category
ratings;
(12) Aeronautical decision making and
judgment; and
(13) Preflight action that includes--
(i) How to obtain information on runway
lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances,
weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and
(ii) How to plan for alternatives if
the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.
Private Pilot Flight Proficiency
Sec. 61.107
Flight proficiency.
(a) General. A person who applies for a
private pilot certificate must receive and log ground and flight training from
an authorized instructor on the areas of operation of this section that apply to
the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(b) Areas of operation. (1) For an
airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating: (i) Preflight
preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and seaplane base
operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and
go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Slow flight and stalls;
(ix) Basic instrument maneuvers;
(x) Emergency operations;
(xi) Night operations, except as
provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part; and
(xii) Post flight procedures.
(2) For an airplane category rating
with a multi engine class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and seaplane base
operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and
go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Slow flight and stalls;
(ix) Basic instrument maneuvers;
(x) Emergency operations;
(xi) Multi engine operations;
(xii) Night operations, except as
provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part; and
(xiii) Post flight procedures.
(3) For a rotor craft category rating
with a helicopter class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and heliport operations;
(iv) Hovering maneuvers;
(v) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(vi) Performance maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Emergency operations;
(ix) Night operations, except as
provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part; and
(x) Postflight procedures.
(4) For a rotor craft category rating
with a gyroplane class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and
go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Flight at slow airspeeds;
(ix) Emergency operations;
(x) Night operations, except as
provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part; and
(xi) Postflight procedures.
(5) For a powered-lift category rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and heliport operations;
(iv) Hovering maneuvers;
(v) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(vi) Performance maneuvers;
(vii) Ground reference maneuvers;
(viii) Navigation;
(ix) Slow flight and stalls;
(x) Basic instrument maneuvers;
(xi) Emergency operations;
(xii) Night operations, except as
provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part; and
(xiii) Postflight procedures.
(6) For a glider category rating: (i)
Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and gliderport
operations;
(iv) Launches and landings;
(v) Performance speeds;
(vi) Soaring techniques;
(vii) Performance maneuvers;
(viii) Navigation;
(ix) Slow flight and stalls;
(x) Emergency operations; and
(xi) Postflight procedures.
(7) For a lighter-than-air category
rating with an airship class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and
go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Emergency operations; and
(ix) Postflight procedures.
(8) For a lighter-than-air category
rating with a balloon class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport operations;
(iv) Launches and landings;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Navigation;
(vii) Emergency operations; and
(viii) Postflight procedures.
Private Pilot Aeronautical Experience
Sec. 61.109
Aeronautical experience.
(a) For an airplane single-engine
rating. Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who
applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplane category and
single-engine class rating must log at least 40 hours of flight time that
includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and
10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in Sec.
61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least--
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight
training in a single-engine airplane;
(2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110
of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that
includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over
100 nautical miles total distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a
full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an
airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training in a
single-engine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by
reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed
climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes,
radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar
services appropriate to instrument flight;
(4) 3 hours of flight training in
preparation for the practical test in a single-engine airplane, which must have
been performed within 60 days preceding the date of the test; and
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a
single-engine airplane, consisting of at least--
(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross-country flight of
at least 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum
of three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line
distance of at least 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing
locations; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings
to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at
an airport with an operating
control tower.
(b) For an airplane multiengine rating.
Except as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who applies for a
private pilot certificate with an airplane category and multiengine class rating
must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of
flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight
training in the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(2) of this part, and
the training must
include at least--
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight
training in a multiengine airplane;
(2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110
of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a multiengine airplane that
includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over
100 nautical miles total distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a
full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an
airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training in a
multiengine airplane on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by
reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed
climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes,
radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar
services appropriate to instrument flight;
(4) 3 hours of flight training in
preparation for the practical test in a multiengine airplane, which must have
been performed within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test; and
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in an
airplane consisting of at least--
(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross-country flight of
at least 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum
of three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line
distance of at least 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing
locations; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings
to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at
an airport with an operating control tower.
(c) For a helicopter rating. Except as
provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who applies for a private
pilot certificate with rotor craft category and helicopter class rating must log
at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight
training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in
the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(3) of this part, and the
training must include at least--
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight
training in a helicopter;
(2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110
of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a helicopter that includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over 50
nautical miles total distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a
full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an
airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training in
preparation for the practical test in a helicopter, which must have been
performed within 60 days preceding the date of the test; and
(4) 10 hours of solo flight time in a
helicopter, consisting of at least--
(i) 3 hours cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross-country flight of
at least 75 nautical miles total distance, with landings at a minimum of three
points, and one segment of the flight being a straight-line distance of at least
25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings
to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at
an airport with an operating control tower.
(d) For a gyroplane rating. Except as
provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who applies for a private
pilot certificate with rotor craft category and gyroplane class rating must log
at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight
training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in
the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(4) of this part, and the
training must include at least--
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight
training in a gyroplane;
(2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110
of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a gyroplane that includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over 50
nautical miles total distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a
full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an
airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training in
preparation for the practical test in a gyroplane, which must have been
performed within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test; and
(4) 10 hours of solo flight time in a
gyroplane, consisting of at least--
(i) 3 hours of cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross-country flight of
over 75 nautical miles total distance, with landings at a minimum of three
points, and one segment of the flight being a straight-line distance of at least
25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings
to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at
an airport with an operating
control tower.
(e) For a powered-lift rating. Except
as provided in paragraph (i) of this section, a person who applies for a private
pilot certificate with a powered-lift category rating must log at least 40 hours
of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an
authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of
operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(5) of this part, and the training must
include at least--
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight
training in a powered-lift;
(2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110
of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a powered-lift that includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over
100 nautical miles total distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a
full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an
airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training in a
powered-lift on the control and maneuvering of a powered-lift solely by
reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed
climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes,
radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar
services appropriate to instrument flight;
(4) 3 hours of flight training in
preparation for the practical test in a powered-lift, which must have been
performed within the 60-day period
preceding the date of the test; and
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in an
airplane or powered-lift consisting of at least--
(i) 5 hours cross-country time;
(ii) One cross-country flight of at
least 150 nautical miles total distance, with landings at a minimum of three
points, and one segment of the flight being a straight-line distance of at least
50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings
to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at
an airport with an operating
control tower.
(f) For a glider category rating.
(1) If the applicant for a private
pilot certificate with a glider category rating has not logged at least 40 hours
of flight time as a pilot in a heavier-than-air aircraft, the applicant must log
at least 10 hours of flight time in a glider in the areas of operation listed in
Sec. 61.107(b)(6) of this part, and that flight time must include at least--
(i) 20 flights in a glider in the areas
of operations listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(6) of this part, including at least 3
training flights in a glider with an authorized instructor in preparation for
the practical test that must have been performed within the 60-day period
preceding the date of the test; and
(ii) 2 hours of solo flight time in a
glider in the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(6) of this part, with
not less than 10 launches and landings being performed.
(2) If the applicant has logged at
least 40 hours of flight time in a heavier-than-air aircraft, the applicant must
log at least 3 hours of flight time in a glider in the areas of operation listed
in Sec. 61.107(b)(6) of this part, and that flight time must include at least--
(i) 10 solo flights in a glider in the
areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(6) of this part; and
(ii) 3 training flights in a glider
with an authorized instructor in preparation for the practical test that must
have been performed within the 60-day period preceding the date of the test.
(g) For an airship rating. A person who
applies for a private pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air category and
airship class rating must log at least:
(1) 25 hours of flight training in
airships on the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(7) of this part,
which consists of at least:
(i) 3 hours of cross-country flight
training in an airship;
(ii) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110
of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in an airship that includes:
(A) A cross-country flight of over 25
nautical miles total distance; and
(B) Five takeoffs and five landings to
a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an
airport.
(2) 3 hours of flight training in an
airship on the control and maneuvering of an airship solely by reference to
instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and
descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radio
communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar services
appropriate to instrument flight;
(3) 3 hours of flight training in an
airship in preparation for the practical test within the 60 days preceding the
date of the test; and
(4) 5 hours performing the duties of
pilot in command in an airship with an authorized instructor.
(h) For a balloon rating. A person who
applies for a private pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air category and
balloon class rating must log at least 10 hours of flight training that includes
at least six training flights with an authorized instructor in the areas of
operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(8) of this part, that includes--
(1) Gas balloon. If the training is
being performed in a gas balloon, at least two flights of 2 hours each that
consists of--
(i) At least one training flight with
an authorized instructor within 60 days prior to application for the rating on
the areas of operation for a gas
balloon;
(ii) At least one flight performing the
duties of pilot in command in a gas balloon with an authorized instructor; and
(iii) At least one flight involving a
controlled ascent to 3,000 feet above the launch site.
(2) Balloon with an airborne heater. If
the training is being performed in a balloon with an airborne heater, at least--
(i) Two flights of 1 hour each within
60 days prior to application for the rating on the areas of operation
appropriate to a balloon with an airborne
heater;
(ii) One solo flight in a balloon with
an airborne heater; and
(iii) At least one flight involving a
controlled ascent to 2,000 feet above the launch site.
(i) Permitted credit for use of a
flight simulator or flight training device.
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs
(i)(2) of this section, a maximum of 2.5 hours of training in a flight simulator
or flight training device representing the category, class, and type, if
applicable, of aircraft appropriate to the rating sought, may be credited toward
the flight training time required by this section, if received from an
authorized instructor.
(2) A maximum of 5 hours of training in
a flight simulator or flight training device representing the category, class,
and type, if applicable, of aircraft appropriate to the rating sought, may be
credited toward the flight training time required by this section if the
training is accomplished in a
course conducted by a training center
certificated under part 142 of this chapter.
(3) Except when fewer hours are
approved by the Administrator, an applicant for a private pilot certificate with
an airplane, rotor craft, or powered-lift rating, who has satisfactorily
completed an approved private pilot course conducted by a training center
certificated under part 142 of this chapter, need only have a total of 35 hours
of aeronautical experience to meet the requirements of this section.
