Private Pilot Requirements - Flight Test Requirements

It is time to tie all of the Student Pilot /Pre-Solo andsection, to be eligible for a practical test for a
Post Solo Requirements together. In order to be eligiblecertificate or rating issued under this part, an applicant
for the Private Pilot License Practical test, you have tomust:
have everything that I have listed so far(1) Pass the required knowledge test within the
DOCUMENTED in your logbook I go more in detail in24-calendar-month period preceding the month the
my book but I will get you up to speed on this.applicant completes the practical test, if a knowledge
Now I will explain the requirements for you to be eligibletest is required;
for your Private Pilot Practical Test. All of the Previous(2) Present the knowledge test report at the time of
requirements have to be completed for the studentapplication for the practical test, if a knowledge test is
solo and the student solo cross countries. If yourequired;
haven't looked at them yet here they are:(3) Have satisfactorily accomplished the required
Now this is where the requirements that usually showtraining and obtained the aeronautical experience
up on the internet come from. This is only theprescribed by this part for the certificate or rating
aeronautical experience regulation. This is the regulationsought;
that most flight schools make their cost estimates(4) Hold at least a current third-class medical certificate,
from and where most people who have nothing to doif a medical certificate is required;
with aviation write their articles from.(5) Meet the prescribed age requirement of this part
(a) For an airplane single-engine rating. Except asfor the issuance of the certificate or rating sought;
provided in paragraph (k) of this section, a person who(6) Have an endorsement, if required by this part, in the
applies for a private pilot certificate with an airplaneapplicant's logbook or training record that has been
category and single-engine class rating must log atsigned by an authorized instructor who certifies that
least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20the applicant-
hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and(i) Has received and logged training time within 60 days
10 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operationpreceding the date of application in preparation for the
listed in §61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the trainingpractical test;
must include at least-(ii) Is prepared for the required practical test; and
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a(iii) Has demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of the
single-engine airplane;subject areas in which the applicant was deficient on
(2) Except as provided in §61.110 of this part, 3the airman knowledge test; and
hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane(7) Have a completed and signed application form.
that includes-There is also the ground instruction requirements.
(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical milesLately the FAA has been getting very tough on this.
total distance; andThere have been many cases where students have
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with eachbeen signed off for flight tests and the instructor never
landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at andid any ground instruction with them. You want to
airport.remember that your instructor needs to have this
(3) 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane ondocumented for you to be eligible for the flight test.
the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely byPersonally I make up one sheet with all the flight
reference to instruments, including straight and leveltraining and all the ground training and sign it at the
flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns to abottom. This way I have a complete record and the
heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radioexaminer can plainly see every subject area.
communications, and the use of navigation systemsWithin these three regulations are all of the others
facilities and radar services appropriate to instrumentlisted in the student pilot requirements and the student
flight;pilot pre solo cross country requirements. Most people
(4) 3 hours of flight training in preparation for thedon't have a clue about all of this. And once you have
practical test in a single-engine airplane, which muststarted on the wrong track on your Pilot Training, it can
have been performed within 60 days preceding thebecome a very expensive venture.
date of the test; andThis was the main reason that I ended up Writing
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane,"Airfreddy's Guide on Learning To Fly". This happens all
consisting of at least-of the time all over the country. I can't tell you how
(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;many emails I get from people who are frustrated at
(ii) One solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nauticalthe entire process. If they had planned and researched
miles total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimumahead of time, they would have gotten done in a
of three points, and one segment of the flightrealistic budget and on a realistic schedule.
consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 50Getting your Private Pilot License and Learning to Fly
nautical miles between the takeoff and landingcan be a great experience, but if you don't understand
locations; andthat every time to delay, switch instructors, schools or
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stopwait to get your written test done. You will get more
(with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern)and more frustrated and I see it ALL THE TIME.
at an airport with an operating control tower.Your goal is to become a safe and proficient pilot on a
Then there is the other eligibility regulation for therealistic budget. Planning this process out is the most
Private Pilot License Flight Test.important thing you can do. You don't want to jump
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of thisand and then find you are on the wrong track.