Private Pilot Certification

Please read the Student Pilot Certification page first, as this will be a continuation of that material. The following information describes requirements for a part 61 training program for a private pilot single engine aircraft.

While this page covers some of the basic requirements, please checkout my other page. This page will provide much more detail about the FAA and the private pilot certificate.
Private Pilot Aeronautical Knowledge

Eligibility Requirements required by §61.103

• Must be at least 17 years of age
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
• Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
  • Conducted the training or reviewed the person’s home study on the aeronautical knowledge of areas listed in §61.105(b) of this part
  • Certified that the person is prepared for the required knowledge test
• Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in §61.105(b) of this part
• Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
  • Conducted the training in the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b)
  • Certified that the person is prepared for the required practical test
• Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought before applying for the practical test
• Pass a practical test on the areas of operation listed in §61.107(b)
• Comply with the appropriate sections of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.

Aeronautical Knowledge required by §61.105(b)

• Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;
• Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
• Use of the applicable portions of the “Aeronautical Information Manual” and FAA advisory circulars;
• Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems;
• Radio communication procedures;
• Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;
• Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;
• Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;
• Weight and balance computations;
• Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;
• Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques for the airplane and glider category ratings;
• Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and
• Preflight action that includes—
  • 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
  • How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.

Flight Proficiency required by §61.107(b)

• Preflight preparation;
• Preflight procedures;
• Airport and seaplane base operations;
• Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
• Performance maneuvers;
• Ground reference maneuvers;
• Navigation;
• Slow flight and stalls;
• Basic instrument maneuvers;
• Emergency operations;
• Night operations, except as provided in §61.110 of this part; and
• Postflight procedures.

Aeronautical Experience required by §61.109(a)

• 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane;
• Except as provided in §61.110 of this part, 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes—
  • One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance; and
  • 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
• 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;
• 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test, which must have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test; and
• 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane, consisting of at least—
  • 5 hours of solo cross-country time;
  • One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at three points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of more than 50 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and
  • 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.

Acting as PIC
In order to act as PIC, §61.3 states that you must have a valid pilot certificate and a current and appropriate medical certificate in your personal possession or readily accessible in the airplane.

During an emergency
In the event of an emergency, sections §91.3(b) and (c) state that in an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to meet that emergency.
 
Each pilot in command who deviates from a rule under the above paragraph shall, upon request of the Administrator, send a written report of that deviation of the Administrator.

Passenger Currency §61.57(a) and (b)
As a private pilot, you are required to meet certain requirements in order to act as pilot in command carrying passengers. It is important to note that currency is not the same thing as proficiency. Remember that you are risking your own life, as well as your passengers lives every time you take off.
 
For daytime VFR flight, you must have 3 take offs and 3 landings within 90 days. If you are flying a tail dragger, they must be full stop. Tricycle type landing gear airplanes do not have to be full stop.
 
For VFR flight from 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise, you must have 3 take offs and 3 landings, which must be full stop.

Biennial Flight Review §61.56
Although your pilot certificate never officially expires, you must complete a flight review with an authorized instructor every 2 years. The review must be completed by the 24th calendar month and must include a minimum of 1 hour of flight training and 1 hour minimum ground training in order to exercise privileges as pilot in command. The flight review cannot be failed, however, additional training may be required before an instructor will sign off. The intention of the flight review is to keep pilots proficient. It is not intended to be another checkride. It is intended to assess the pilot’s skill, and identify weak areas that need to be strengthened. Aviation Safety should be a major consideration in completing the flight review.