Pilot Qualifications

Created by

Niko W

Cards (32)

(FAR 61.103) General Eligibility Requirements 1
Must be at least 17 years old
Read, write, and speak English
Receive logbook endorsements from an authorized instructor who conducted ground training or reviewed the applicant's home study on aeronautical knowledge areas that apply to the rating sought
Certified that the applicant is prepared for the required knowledge test and practical test.
(FAR 61.103) General Eligibility Requirements 2
Pass the written knowledge test (61.105b)
Pass the practical test (61.107b)
Meet the aeronautical experience requirements listed in (61.109a)
Comply with the appropriate sections of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought
Hold a U.S. Student Pilot, Sport Pilot, or Recreational Pilot Certificate
(FAR 61.109[a]): Aeronautical Experience Requirement Checklist
40 Hours Total Flight Time
20 Hours w/ an Instructor
3 Hours Dual w/in 2 Calendar Months of Checkride
3 Hours Dual Cross-Country Flight
3 Hours Dual Night Flight
Cross Country 100 NM+ Total Distance w/ 10 Takeoffs and Landings to a Full Stop
3 Hours Simulated Instrument Time
10 Hours Solo Flight Time
5 Hours Solo Cross Country Time

One Solo Cross Country 150 NM+ Total Distance w/ 3 full-stop landings at 3 Airports with 50 NM+ Distance Between each takeoff / landing point
(FAR 61.56): Flight Review
Minimum 1 hour ground training
Minimum 1 hour flight training
Conducted by an authorized instructor
Review of current general operating and flight rules of the FAR
Review of maneuvers necessary to demonstrate safe exercise of pilot certificate privileges

No person may act as PIC of an aircraft unless within the preceding 24 calendar months, that person has completed a Flight Review and received the necessary logbook endorsement from the instructor who conducted the review
(FAR 61.57): 90-Day Currency
You can't be PIC of an aircraft carrying multiple people unless you have done 3 takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days.
Takeoffs / Landings must be done in the same category, class, and type (if rating required) as intended for this purpose.
(FAR 61.57): 90-Day Currency Night
If passengers are to be carried from 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise (night conditions), then those takeoffs and landings must be performed during night conditions
Additionally, if the currency training takes place during night conditions or in a tail-wheel aircraft, then the takeoffs and landings must be performed to a full-stop
(FAR 61.51[a]): Pilot Logbooks / Logging Hours

Each person must document and record any:
Training and aeronautical experience used to meet the requirements for a certificate, rating, or flight review of 14 CFR Part 61
Aeronautical experience required for meeting the recent flight experience requirements of 14 CFR Part 61
(FAR 61.51[b]): Pilot Logbooks
Each person must enter the following information for each flight or lesson logged:
General Information
Type of Pilot Experience / Training
Flight Conditions
(FAR 61.51[b]): Logging General Info

General Information to be logged includes:
Date
Location
Duration of flight
Type and Identification of aircraft flown
(FAR 61.51[b]): Logging Experience Type / Training
Type of experience or training to be logged includes:
Solo - FAR 61.51(d)
PIC - FAR 61.51(e)
SIC - FAR 61.51(f)
Flight Instruction - FAR 61.51(h)
(FAR 61.51): Logging Conditions of Flight
Time: Day / Night
Visual/Instrument: VFR / IFR
Aircraft/Simulator: The category and class aircraft flown.
(FAR 61.59): Logbook Information Falsification
No person may intentionally provide fraudulent or falsified statements on any:
Application for a certificate, rating, authorization, or duplicate issued under 14 CFR Part 61
Any logbook, record, or report required to be kept, made, or used to show compliance with regulations.
Any reproduction or alteration of a certification, rating, or authorization
(FAR 61.60): Change of Address
No person who has made a change of permanent mailing address may exercise privileges, 30 days after that date, unless the new mailing address is reported to the FAA Airman Certification Branch.
(FAR 61.113) PIC Privileges and Limitations
The Private Pilot License allows one to command an appropriate aircraft for:
Non- commercial purposes
Under VFR conditions
May carry passengers or perform flight in furtherance of a business provided no compensation is provided beyond the pro rata portion of flight expenses.
(FAR 61.113): Privileges and Limitations
The Pro Rata Portion is to cover fuel and oil costs, rental fees, and airport expenditures only.
(FAR 61.113[d])
A pilot may act as PIC of a charitable, non-profit, or community event described in FAR 91.146, as long as the sponsor and pilot both comply with FAR 91.146.
FAR 61.113(e)
A pilot may be reimbursed for aircraft operating expenses directly related to search and location operations, provided they only cover fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees.

The operation must be sanctioned / under control by a local, state or federal agency or by an organization that conducts search and rescue operations.
(FAR 61.113[f])
A private pilot, who is an aircraft salesman and has at least 200 hours of logged flight time may demonstrate an aircraft in flight to a prospective buyer.
(FAR 61.113[i])
A private pilot may act as PIC without a medical certificate on their person provided they comply with the rules and regulations of BasicMed.

More information on the requirements for operating certain small aircraft under the previously listed conditions in FAR Part 68 and AC 68-1 (Advisory Circular)
(FAR 61.117): Second In Command Priv's and Limitations
No private pilot may act as SIC of an aircraft that is:
Type certificated for more than 1 pilot.
Nor may they carry property or passengers for compensation or hire in that aircraft.
That same private pilot could operate that same aircraft as PIC and log the time.
(FAR: 61.3[c]): Required Pilot Documents - Medical
A person may only act as a required crewmember if that person has an appropriate Medical Certificate.
This does not apply to those operating under a student pilot certificate or BasicMed privileges.
(FAR 61.23) First Class Medical Certificate
ATP Privileges
Age 1-39: Expires 12 Calendar Months
Age 40+: Expires 6 Calendar Months
(FAR 61.23) Second Class Medical Certificate
Commercial Privileges
Age 1-39: Expires 12 Calendar Months
Age 40+: Expires 12 Calendar Months
(FAR 61.23) Third Class Medical Certificate
Private Pilot Privileges
Age 1-39: Expires 60 Calendar Months
Age 40+: Expires 24 Calendar Months
(FAR 61.23) Medical Certificate Experation
A 52-year old pilot renews their first class medical certificate on May 3rd, 2024. When would their first, second, and third class privileges expire?
First Class Expiry - November 30, 2024
Second Class Expiry - May 31, 2025
Third Class Expiry - May 31, 2026
(FAR 61.23) Medical Certificate Experation
A 32-year old pilot renews their first class medical certificate on March 3rd, 2024. When would their first, second, and third class privileges expire?
First Class Expiry - March 31, 2025
Second Class Expiry - March 31, 2025
Third Class Expiry - March 31, 2029
(FAR 61.53) Temporary Medical Disqualifications
No person may act as a required crewmember, if they knowingly have a medical condition that would cause them to operate in an unsafe manner.

Epilepsy, heart conditions, mental health conditions, visual impairment, substance abuse, chronic conditions, and medication side effects are some examples of medical deficiencies that would require reporting under this part.
(FAR 61.3) Required Pilot Documents:
No person may operate an aircraft unless that person has in their physical possession:
An appropriate Pilot's Certificate
U.S. Government-issued photo ID
An appropriate medical certificate / BasicMed documents
(FAR Part 68): Requirements for Operating Under BasicMed
Currently hold and have in their possession a valid U.S. Driver's License
Have held a medical at some point in time past July 14, 2006
Must complete the Medical Education Course and retain the certificate of it's completion in the pilot's logbook
Complete Section 2 of the FAA Form 8700-2 or FAA Form 8500-8 for a medical examination, which needs to be done every 24 calendar months, and proof of examination completion must be kept in the pilot's logbook
(FAR 61.113[i]) & (FAR 8700-2) BasicMed Privileges and Limitations
A pilot exercising privileges of BasicMed may act as PIC of an aircraft without holding a medical certificate if they:
Comply w/ medical limits associated with their driver's license
Have completed the Medical Education course and Medical Exam; retaining proof of completion of both in their logbook
The aircraft cannot be authorized / carry more than 6 occupants
The aircraft must not have a maximum takeoff weight > 6000 lbs
No portion of the flight may be carried out above 18,000 MSL, above 250 KIAS, and / or outside of the U.S.
(PHAC 1-20) Medical Class Certificates
First class is designed for airline transport pilots
Second class for commercial pilots
Third class for student, recreational, and private pilots.
Balloon / glider pilots don't need a medical certificate.
Sport Pilot category does not require a medical examination; a driver's license can be used as proof of medical competence
(FAR 61.56, 61.57): Proficiency Vs Currency:
In order to be current as a Private Pilot, you must complete a flight review and comply with 90-Day currency requirements.
Proficient pilots are competent at operation of the aircraft in a wide array of situations; they can perform the tasks required for a certain flight, and they stick to their personal minimums.
Currency is legal, and Proficiency is safe.