The first step in becoming a pilot is to select a type of aircraft. FAA rules for getting a pilot’s certificate differ depending on the type of aircraft flown. Individuals can choose among airplanes, gyroplanes, weight-shift control, helicopters, powered parachutes, gliders, balloons, or airships. A pilot does not need a certificate to fly ultralight vehicles.

1.7.1 Basic Requirements #

A student pilot is one who is being trained by an instructor pilot for his or her first full certificate, and is permitted to fly alone (solo) under specific, limited circumstances. Upon request, an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner (AME) will issue a combined medical certificate and Student Pilot Certificate after completion of a physical examination. Student Pilot Certificates may also be issued by an FAA inspector or an FAA-designated pilot examiner. To be eligible for a Student Pilot Certificate, an individual must:

• Be 16 years old (14 years old to pilot a glider or balloon).
• Be able to read, write, speak, and understand English.
• Hold a current Third-Class Medical Certificate (or, for glider or balloon, certify that no medical defect exists that would prevent piloting a balloon or glider).

1.7.2 Medical Certification Requirements #

The second step in becoming a pilot is to obtain a medical certificate and Student Pilot Certificate, if the choice of aircraft is an airplane, helicopter, gyroplane, or airship. [Figure 1-26] (The FAA suggests obtaining a medical certificate before beginning flight training, to avoid the expense of training that cannot be continued due to a medical condition.) Balloon and glider pilots do not need a medical certificate, but must write a statement certifying that no medical defect exists that would prevent them from piloting a balloon or glider. The sport pilot category does not require a medical examination; a driver’s license can be used as proof of medical competence. Applicants who fail to meet certain requirements, or who have physical disabilities that might limit — but not prevent — their acting as pilots, should contact the nearest FAA office.

A medical certificate is obtained by passing a physical examination administered by a doctor who is an FAA-authorized AME. There are approximately 6,000 FAA-authorized AMEs in the nation. Medical certificates are designated as first class, second class, or third class. Generally, first class is designed for the airline transport pilot, second class for the commercial pilot, and third class for the student, recreational, and private pilot. A Student Pilot Certificate is issued by an AME at the time of the student’s first medical examination. It allows an individual being trained by a flight instructor to fly alone (solo) under specific, limited circumstances, and must be carried while exercising solo flight privileges. The student pilot certificate is only required when exercising solo flight privileges, and is valid until the last day of the month, 24 months after it was issued.

1.7.3 Student Pilot Solo Requirements #

Once a student has accrued sufficient training and experience, a CFI can endorse the student’s certificate to authorize limited solo flight in a specific type (make and model) of aircraft. A student pilot may not carry passengers, fly in furtherance of a business, or operate an aircraft outside the various endorsements provided by the flight instructor. There is no minimum aeronautical knowledge or experience requirement for the issuance of a student pilot certificate, other than the medical requirements for the class of medical certificate on which it is based. There are, however, minimum aeronautical knowledge and experience requirements for a student pilot to solo.

1.7.4 Becoming a Pilot #

The course of instruction a student pilot follows depends on the type of certificate sought. It should include the ground and flight training necessary to acquire the knowledge and skills required to function safely and efficiently as a certificated pilot in the selected category and class of aircraft. The specific knowledge and skill areas for each category and class are outlined in 14 CFR part 61. Eligibility, aeronautical knowledge, proficiency, and aeronautical requirements can be found in 14 CFR part 61, Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors.

• Recreational Pilot — see subpart D.
• Private Pilot — see subpart E.
• Sport Pilot — see subpart J.

The knowledge-based portion of training is obtained through FAA handbooks such as this one, textbooks, and other training and testing materials available in print from the Superintendent of Documents (GPO) and online at the Regulatory Support Division.

The CFI may also use commercial publications as study material, especially for aircraft categories where government material is limited. A student pilot should follow the flight instructor’s advice on what and when to study. Planning a definite study program and following it as closely as possible will help in scoring well on the knowledge test; haphazard or disorganized study habits usually result in an unsatisfactory score.

In addition to learning aeronautical knowledge, such as the principles of flight, a student pilot must also gain skill in flight maneuvers. The selected category and class of aircraft determine the type of flight skills and the number of flight hours to be obtained. There are four steps involved in learning a flight maneuver:

• The CFI introduces and demonstrates the flight maneuver to the student.
• The CFI talks the student pilot through the maneuver.
• The student pilot practices the maneuver under CFI supervision.
• The CFI authorizes the student pilot to practice the maneuver solo.

Once the student pilot has shown proficiency in the required knowledge areas and flight maneuvers and has accrued the required flight hours, the CFI endorses the student pilot’s logbook, allowing the student to take the written and practical exams for pilot certification.

1.7.5 Knowledge and Skill Examinations #

1.7.6 Knowledge Examination #

The knowledge test is the computer portion of the exams taken to obtain pilot certification. It contains objective, multiple-choice questions. This testing method conserves the applicant’s time, eliminates any element of individual judgment in determining grades, and saves time in scoring.

If pursuing a recreational or private pilot certificate, it is important to become familiar with 14 CFR 61.23 (Medical Certificates: Requirements and Duration), 14 CFR 61.35 (Knowledge Test: Prerequisites and Passing Grades), and 14 CFR 61.83 (Eligibility Requirements for Student Pilots) for detailed information on prerequisites and eligibility. If pursuing a recreational certificate, review 14 CFR 61.96; if pursuing a private certificate, 14 CFR 61.103 contains additional eligibility detail. Sample test questions can be downloaded from the FAA’s Airmen Knowledge Test Questions page.

Each applicant must register to take the test and provide proper identification and authorization proving eligibility for a particular FAA test. The option to take an untimed sample test will be offered. The actual test is time-limited, but most applicants have sufficient time to complete and review it. Upon completion, the applicant receives an Airman Knowledge Test Report that reflects the score and is embossed with the testing center’s seal. To pass, a minimum score of 70 must be attained.

1.7.7 When To Take the Examination #

The knowledge test is more meaningful to the applicant, and more likely to result in a satisfactory grade, if taken after beginning the flight portion of training. Therefore, the FAA recommends taking the knowledge test after the student pilot has completed a solo cross-country flight. The operational knowledge gained from this experience can be used to the student’s advantage. The student’s CFI is the best person to determine when the applicant is ready to take the knowledge exam.

1.7.8 Where To Take the Examination #

The FAA has hundreds of designated computer testing centers worldwide that administer FAA knowledge tests; these offer the full range of airman knowledge tests. Applicants are charged a fee for administration. A complete list of test centers, with locations and phone numbers, can be downloaded from the FAA.

An applicant can also contact the local FSDO for this information. If the student chooses a part 141 flight school with test-examining authority, the school will administer the knowledge test during the curriculum.

1.7.9 Practical Examination #

The FAA has developed Practical Test Standards (PTS) for FAA pilot certificates and associated ratings. [Figure 1-27] These practical tests are administered by FAA ASIs and DPEs. 14 CFR part 61 specifies the areas of operation in which knowledge and skill must be demonstrated by the applicant. Since the FAA requires all practical tests to be conducted in accordance with the appropriate PTS, and with the policies set forth in the Introduction section of the PTS book, the pilot applicant should become familiar with this book during training.

The PTS book is a testing document and is not intended to be a training syllabus. An appropriately rated flight instructor is responsible for training the pilot applicant to acceptable standards in all subject-matter areas, procedures, and maneuvers. Descriptions of tasks and information on how to perform maneuvers and procedures are contained in reference and teaching documents such as this handbook. A list of reference documents is contained in the Introduction section of each PTS book.

The flight proficiency maneuvers listed in 14 CFR part 61 are the standard skill requirements for certification. They are outlined in the PTS as “areas of operation” — phases of the practical test arranged in a logical sequence, beginning with preflight preparation and ending with postflight procedures. Each area of operation contains “tasks,” comprising knowledge areas, flight procedures, and/or flight maneuvers appropriate to that area. The candidate must demonstrate knowledge and proficiency in all tasks for the original issuance of any pilot certificate.

1.7.10 When To Take the Practical Exam #

14 CFR part 61 establishes the ground-school and flight-experience requirements for the type of certification and aircraft selected. However, the CFI best determines when an applicant is qualified for the practical test. A practice practical test is an important step in the flight training process.

The applicant will be asked to present the following documentation:

• FAA Form 8710-1 (8710-11 for sport pilot applicants), Application for an Airman Certificate and/or Rating, with the flight instructor’s recommendation.
• An Airman Knowledge Test Report with a satisfactory grade.
• 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 of aircraft to be used for the practical test (driver’s license or medical certificate for sport pilot applicants).
• The pilot logbook records.
• A graduation certificate from an FAA-approved school (if applicable).

The applicant must provide an airworthy aircraft with equipment relevant to the areas of operation required for the practical test. He or she will also be asked to produce and explain the:

• Aircraft’s registration certificate
• Aircraft’s airworthiness certificate
• Aircraft’s operating limitations or FAA-approved aircraft flight manual (if required)
• Aircraft equipment list
• Required weight and balance data
• Maintenance records
• Applicable airworthiness directives (ADs)

For a detailed explanation of the required pilot maneuvers and performance standards, refer to the PTS pertaining to the type of certification and aircraft selected. These standards may be downloaded free of charge from the FAA (www.faa.gov) and can also be purchased from the Superintendent of Documents or GPO bookstores. Most airport fixed-base operators (FBOs) and flight schools carry a variety of government publications and charts, as well as commercially published materials.

1.7.11 Who Administers the FAA Practical Examination? #

Due to the varied responsibilities of the FSDOs, practical tests are usually given by DPEs. An applicant should schedule the practical test by appointment to avoid conflicts and wasted time. A list of examiner names can be obtained from the local FSDO. Since a DPE serves without pay from the government for conducting practical tests and processing the necessary reports, the examiner is allowed to charge a reasonable fee. There is no charge for the practical test when it is conducted by an FAA inspector.