FAR 61 - Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors
FAR 61.3 Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations
Whenever acting as a required pilot flight crew member of a civil aircraft in the USA, you must physically
possess and have readily accessible, your pilot certificate, a government issued photo ID, and your medical
certificate. Student pilot doing a solo will also need logbook with appropriate endorsements. If excising
privileges of a flight instructor, you must have all of the previous documents & flight instructor certificate.
FAR 61.23* Medical Certificates: Requirement and Duration
FAR 61.31 Additional Training Complex airplanes, High-performance airplanes, Tailwheel airplanes, Pressurized Aircraft
FAR 61.39 Prerequisites for Practical Test
1) Pass the required knowledge test
2) Present the knowledge test report at the time of application for the practical test
3) Have satisfactorily accomplished the required training and obtained the aeronautical experience prescribed
4) Hold at least a Third-Class Medical Certificate
5) Meet the prescribed age requirement
6) Have an endorsement
7) Have a completed and signed application form
FAR 61.53 Medical are self-regulatory.
A pilot cannot act as a crew member on an aircraft is they know, or have reason to know, of any medical
conditions that would make them unsafe to operate an aircraft.
FAR 61.56 Flight Review. To act as PIC, within the previous 24 calendar months, you must have accomplished a flight
review and have a logbook endorsement stating you have satisfactorily completed that review by an authorized
instructor. An FAA practical test towards a certificate or rating can take the place of a flight review - Your flight
review will be 24 calendar months after your most recent rating or certificate.
FAR 61.57 Recent flight experience for PIC with passengers
To act as PIC while carrying passengers, you must have had 3 takeoffs and 3 landings, while being the sole
manipulator of the controls, within the last 90 days. These takeoffs and landings will have to be in an aircraft of
the same category, class, and type (if type rating is required).
Nighttime = 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise. So as long as you get you're passengers back before
then, you're fine. If you will be landing after 1 hour after sunset or taking off before 1 hour before sunrise, you
will need to make your 3 takeoff and landings at night to a full stop. Your night takeoff and landings can not be
touch-and-goes. Night landings may count for daytime currency.
FAR 61.60 Change of address The holder of a pilot, flight instructor, or ground instructor certificate who has made a
change in permanent mailing address may not, after 30 days from that date, exercise the privileges of the
certificate unless the holder has notified in writing the FAA, Airman Certification Branch, P.O. Box 25082,
Oklahoma City, OK 73125, of the new permanent mailing address, or if the permanent mailing address includes
a post office box number, then the holder's current residential address.
FAR 61.87 Solo requirements for student pilots
1) Satisfactorily complete a written knowledge test
2) must have complete pre-solo flight training
3) Must receive and log flight training in Maneuvers and Procedures in a single-engine plane
FAR 61.89 Student Pilot Limitations 1) may not carry passengers 2) carry property for compensation or hire
3) act as PIC for hire 4) act as PIC in furtherance of a business 5) may not act a required pilot flight crew
FAR 61.103 Private Pilot Eligibility Requirements.
This regulation simply outlines the requirements that must be met in order to qualify for a private pilot
certificate. These requirements include the following:
1. Must be at least 17 years of age
2. Be able to read, write, speak, and understand English
3. Hold either a student pilot, sport pilot, or recreational pilot certificate
4. Have a logbook endorsement by an authorized instructor that states that they conducted training they
certify the pilot is ready for the both the knowledge and practical tests
5. Have logbook entries showing all the required training and aeronautical experience was completed and
6. Pass the required knowledge exam
7. Pass the required practical exam
, FAR 61.105 Aeronautical Knowledge (Private Pilot)
FAR 61.109 Private Pilot Aeronautical Experience Requirements
There is a long list of aeronautical experiences you would be required in order to qualify to take the private pilot
practical test. I have outlined them all on the certificates and documents page.
FAR 61.113 Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations
Once you have your private pilot certificate, know what your privileges and limitations are.
FAR Part 91 - General Operating Flight Rules
FAR 91.3 Responsibility and authority of the pilot in command
(a) The PIC of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of that aircraft.
*Sully’s landing on Hudson River
(b) In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the PIC may deviate from any rule of this part to the
extent required to meet that emergency.
(c) Each PIC who deviates from a rule under paragraph (b) of this section shall, upon the request of the
Administrator, send a written report of that deviation to the Administrator.
FAR 91.7 Civil Aircraft Airworthiness
(a) No person may operate a civil aircraft unless it is in an airworthy condition.
(b) PIC of civil aircraft is responsible for determining whether that aircraft is in condition for safe flight. PIC shall
discontinue the flight when unairworthy mechanical, electrical, or structural conditions occur.
FAR 91.13 Careless or Reckless Operation
a) No person may operate an AC: a) in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or property of
another b) on any part of the surface of an airport in a careless or reckless manner so as to endanger the life or
property of another.
FAR 91.15 Dropping Objects
Do not drop anything from your aircraft while you are in flight if it creates a hazard to any person or property -
unless the proper precautions are taken to avoid injury or damage to any person or property.
FAR 91.17 Alcohol or Drugs
(a)(b) FAR 91.17(a). You can not act as a crew member of a civil aircraft if you:
Have consumed any alcohol within previous 8 hours
Are under the influence of alcohol
Are using any drugs that inhibit your abilities to safety
Have an alcohol concentration of 0.04 or greater in your blood or breather specimen
FAR 91.17(b) states that a pilot can not allow any person aboard the flight who appear intoxicated or seems to
be under the influence of drugs. This does not include an emergency or a medical patient under special care.
FAR 91.103 Preflight Action As the PIC you must become familiar about all the information concerning your flight. We use
the acronym NWKRAFT to remember all the information we must be familiar with.
1. NOTAMS
2. Weather
3. Known ATC Delays
4. Runway lengths at each airport
5. Alternate Airports if needed
6. Fuel Requirements
7. Takeoff and Landing Distances
FAR 91.105 Flight Crew at Stations When acting as a crew member, you must remain in your seat/station, with seatbelt
fastened, unless you have to get up to perform duties or relieve yourself. Includes take-off, landing, and while in
flight. If aircraft is equipped with a shoulder harness, you must have it fastened for take-off and landing. If the
shoulder harness prevents you from doing your duties as a crew member, it is not required to be fastened.
FAR 91.107 Use of safety belts, shoulder harnesses, and child restraint systems
1. Must brief how to fasten and unfasten seat belt.
2. Prior to movement, takeoff/landing each pilot must notify each person to fasten their seat belt/harness.
3. Each person must wear a seat belt/harness. Exceptions: Children under 2 can be held. Sport parachutist can
use the floor. Child restraint system can be used.
