Advisory Circular
Subject: Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors Date: 11/29/05 Initiated by: AFS-800 AC No: 61-65E
This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for pilots, flight instructors, ground instructors, and examiners on the certification standards, knowledge test procedures, and other requirements in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61. This revision provides guidance for those persons seeking sport pilot certification.
Original signed by John M. Allen for James J. Ballough, Director Flight Standards Service
Page i (and ii)
CONTENTS Par. Page
1. Purpose1
2. Cancellation1
3. Related Reading Material (Current Editions)1
4. Pilot Training and Testing1
5. Knowledge Tests2
6. Completion of Ground Training or a Home Study Curriculum2
7. Evidence of Identity and Age3
8. Practical Tests4
9. Light-Sport Aircraft with a Single Pilot Station4
10. Prerequisites for Practical Tests5
11. Student Pilot Certification6
12. Presolo Requirements7
13. Additional Solo Privileges7
14. Sport Pilot Certification9
15. Recreational Pilot Certification10
16. Private Pilot Certification10
17. Commercial Pilot Certification11
18. Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certification11
19. Flight Instructors Other Than Flight Instructors with a Sport Pilot Rating12
20. Flight Instructors with a Sport Pilot Rating12
21. Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificates (Except Those with a Sport Pilot Rating)14
22. Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificates (With a Sport Pilot Rating)14
23. Renewal of a Flight Instructor Certificate15
24. Expired Flight Instructor Certificate16
25. Instrument Rating16
26. Additional Aircraft Ratings (Other than ATP)17
27. Additional Category/Class Rating at the ATP Certification Level17
28. Other Instructor Endorsements18
29. Ground Instructor Certification18
30. Authorized Instructors18
31. Additional Training for Gliders18
32. Aeronautical Experience CreditUltralight Vehicles19
33. How to Obtain Electronically19
APPENDIX 1. CONTENTSINSTRUCTOR ENDORSEMENTS (18 pages)1
Page iii (and iv)
1. PURPOSE. This advisory circular (AC) provides guidance for pilots, flight instructors, ground instructors, and examiners on the certification standards, knowledge test procedures, and other requirements in Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61.
2. CANCEL LATION. AC 61-65D, Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors, dated September 20, 1999, is canceled.
3. RELATED READING MATERIAL (CURRENT EDITIONS).
a. AC 61-98, Currency and Additional Qualification Requirements for Certificated Pilots.
b. AC 61-107, Operations of Aircraft at Altitudes Above 25,000 Feet MSL and/or MACH Numbers (MMO) Greater Than .75.
c. FAA-G-8082-1, Airline Transport Pilot, Aircraft Dispatcher, and Flight Navigator Knowledge Test Guide.
d. FAA-G-8082-5, Commercial Pilot Knowledge Test Guide.
e. FAA-G-8082-7, Flight and Ground Instructor Knowledge Test Guide.
f. FAA-G-8082-13, Instrument Rating Knowledge Test Guide.
g. FAA-G-8082-17, Recreational Pilot and Private Pilot Knowledge Test Guide.
h. FAA Order 8710.3, Designated Pilot and Flight Engineer Examiner’s Handbook.
i. FAA Order 8710.7, Sport Pilot Examiner’s Handbook.
j. Part 61 quality assurance (Q&A) and part 141 Q&As are located on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) General Aviation and Commercial Division (AFS-800) home page at http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/afs800/afs810/more/.
These documents do not include information on sport pilots, flight instructors with a sport pilot rating, or private weight-shift-control or powered parachute ratings.
k. FAA Order 8080.6, Conduct of Airman Knowledge Tests.
4. PILOT TRAINING AND TESTING. Part 61 contains the aeronautical experience, certification requirements, responsibilities, privileges, and limitations for each grade of certificate: student pilot, sport pilot, recreational pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot, airline transport pilot, instrument rating, flight instructor, and ground instructor. Under the “total training concept,” the areas of operation specified for each grade of certificate by part 61 encompasses the areas of operation and tasks contained in the practical test standards (PTS).
Instructors are responsible for training applicants “. . . to acceptable standards in all subject matter areas, procedures, and maneuvers included in the tasks within the appropriate practical test standard.” For example:
a. An applicant for a private pilot certificate must have logged the aeronautical experience as required by part 61 and have had his/her logbook endorsed by his/her certificated flight instructor (CFI) who determines that the applicant is proficient in the appropriate areas of operation listed in section 61.107(b).
b. The flight maneuvers associated with each of the areas of operation listed in section 61.107 are found under similar titles in the current editions of the appropriate PTS. The standards for successful completion of each maneuver and procedure are noted in the elements of each task in the appropriate PTS.
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5. KNOWLEDGE TESTS. The knowledge tests for the sport pilot certificate, recreational pilot certificate, private pilot certificate, commercial pilot certificate, airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate, flight instructor certificate, ground instructor certificate, and ratings cover the subject areas in which aeronautical knowledge is required by part 61.
a. If required by section 61.35(a)(1), an appropriate knowledge test will only be administered to an applicant who presents acceptable evidence of completion of the required training.
b. Applicants are not required to show such evidence to take the ATP, CFI, certificated ground instructor (CGI), military competency, or foreign pilot instrument knowledge tests unless they are applying to retake a test after failing that test (per section 61.49).
c. The FAA computerized knowledge test program has been implemented to provide expeditious testing services for applicants at locations and times convenient to the public. For location of computerized testing centers, contact the nearest Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or use the list of computerized testing centers at http://www.faa.gov/education_research/testing/airmen/media/test_centers.pdf.
6. COMPLETION OF GROUND TRAINING OR A HOME STUDY CURRICULUM.
Ground training courses to prepare for the aeronautical knowledge test may be offered by pilot schools, colleges, aviation organizations, and individual flight or ground instructors. Home study curriculums are available from representatives of the aviation industry. Home study curriculums individually developed by students should be compiled from material described in the applicable FAA knowledge test guide. The student, to show evidence of a ground school or home study curriculum completion, may use any one of the following methods.
a. A certificate of graduation from a pilot training course conducted by an FAA-certificated pilot school, appropriate to the certificate or rating sought, or a statement of accomplishment from the school certifying satisfactory completion of the ground school portion of the course;
b. An endorsement from an appropriately rated FAA-certificated ground or flight instructor who has certified that the applicant has satisfactorily completed the ground training required for the certificate or rating sought and is prepared for the test;
c. A certificate of graduation or statement of accomplishment from a ground school course, appropriate to the certificate and rating sought that was conducted by an agency such as a high school, college, adult education program, the Civil Air Patrol, or a Reserve Officer’s Training Corps flight training program;
d. A certificate of graduation from an industry-provided aviation home study course. The certificate must be developed by the aeronautical enterprise providing the study material. The certificate of graduation must correspond to the FAA knowledge test for the certificate or rating sought. The aeronautical enterprise providing the course of study must also supply a comprehensive knowledge test, which can be scored as evidence that the student has completed the course of study. The knowledge test must be sent to the course provider for scoring. Upon satisfactory completion of the examination, a graduation certificate signed by an authorized CFI of the course provider will be provided to the student; or Page 2 Par 5
e. Applicants are encouraged to obtain ground training from the sources described in paragraph 6a through 6d above. An applicant who is unable to provide any of the above documents when applying for a knowledge test may present an individually developed home study course to an appropriately rated flight or ground instructor. The instructor will review the course materials and may question the applicant to determine that the course was completed and that the applicant does possess the knowledge required for the certificate or rating sought. The instructor will then complete an endorsement certifying that the applicant is prepared for the knowledge test.
7. EVIDENCE OF IDENTITY AND AGE. Applicants for knowledge tests and airman certificates must provide positive proof of identification, address, and age at the time of application.
a. Identification. The identification presented must include a photograph of the applicant, the applicant’s signature, and the applicant’s actual residential address (if different from the mailing address). This information may be presented in more than one form of identification.
Acceptable methods of identification include, but are not limited to drivers’ licenses, government identification cards, passports, and military identification cards. Some applicants may not possess the identification documentation described. In the case of an applicant under the age of 16 years for a knowledge test or practical test for other than a glider or balloon rating (or 14 years of age for a knowledge test or practical test for a glider or balloon rating), the applicant’s parent or guardian may accompany the applicant and present information attesting to the applicant’s identity. If this is done, a statement to that effect will be submitted for enclosure in the airman’s permanent record.
b. Address. A temporary mailing address for delivery of the certificate may be indicated on a separate statement attached to the application. However, the address required for official record purposes as shown on an airman application for a certificate must represent the airman’s actual permanent residential street address, including apartment number, etc., when appropriate.
An alternate mail delivery service address (commercial mail box provider, flight school, airport office, etc.) is unacceptable. A post office box or rural route number is unacceptable as a permanent residence on an application unless unavoidable circumstances require such an address. An applicant residing on a rural route, in a boat or mobile (recreational) vehicle, or in some other like residence that requires the use of a post office box or rural route number for an address, must attest to the circumstances by signing a statement on a separate sheet of paper.
The information provided must include sufficient details to ensure identification of the geographical location of the airman’s residence. If necessary to positively identify the place of residence, the applicant may be required to provide a hand-drawn map or a typed or written explanation of directions to the residence that clearly shows or describes the location of the residence. When the residence is a boat or other mobile vehicle, the registration number, tag number, etc., and dock or park location must be provided. When applying for the practical test for an airman certificate, a post office address may be specified for use on the certificate issued.
A signed request must be submitted with the application for this purpose. The permanent residence address must be shown in the manner specified above.
c. Age. Applicants applying to take a practical test must show they meet the minimum age requirement for the certificate sought. When applying to take a knowledge test, applicants must show that they will meet the minimum age requirement for the certificate sought within 24 calendar-months of the date of application for the knowledge test.
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8. PRACTICAL TESTS.
a. A practical test is conducted to evaluate the applicant’s knowledge and skill for the pilot certificate and rating sought. During a practical test, the examiner will quiz the applicant orally on knowledge elements and ask the applicant to perform the skill elements of the test. However, oral testing may be used at any time during the practical test. An examiner is responsible for determining whether the applicant meets the standards outlined in the objectives of each required task in the appropriate PTS.
b. For elements of a maneuver or procedure on the practical test in which the applicants are required to be tested orally or by written questions, the PTS uses the words “. . . The applicant exhibits knowledge of . . .” or “. . . the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge of . . .” in the area of each task noted as “Objective.”
c. For elements of a maneuver or procedure on the practical test in which the applicants are required to demonstrate their piloting skills, the PTS uses words such as considers situations, maintains, utilizes, initiates, transitions to, arrives at, establishes and maintains, remains aware, avoids situations, selects, properly, makes a, recognizes, stops, completes, etc., in the area of each task noted as “Objective.”
d. In accordance with section 61.45(a), a flight simulator or flight training device may be used for some elements of the practical test. Authorization and the extent of use of a flight simulator or flight training device during the practical test is addressed in the appropriate appendix section of the applicable PTS for the pilot certificate and rating sought.
9. LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT WITH A SINGLE PILOT STATION.
a. In accordance with section 61.45(f), a practical test may be conducted in a light-sport aircraft that has a single pilot station. The FAA believes that with certain limitations, it is appropriate to allow the practical test, at the sport pilot certificate level only, to be conducted from the ground by a designated pilot examiner (DPE) or an aviation safety inspector (ASI). The examiner or ASI must agree to conduct the practical test in a single-seat aircraft and must ensure that the practical test is conducted in accordance with the sport pilot PTS for single-seat aircraft.
Knowledge of all tasks applicable to the category/class of aircraft will be evaluated orally.
Single-seat sport pilots must demonstrate competency in those specific tasks identified in the PTS and any other tasks selected by the examiner. The examiner must be in a position to observe the operation of the aircraft and evaluate the proficiency of the applicant from the ground.
b. The limitation “No passenger carriage and flight in a single-pilot station aircraft only” will be placed on the person’s pilot certificate, which limits a pilot to operations in a single-seat light-sport aircraft, and no passenger carriage will be authorized. Only a DPE or an ASI is authorized to remove this limitation. This can be accomplished when the sport pilot takes a practical test in a two-place light-sport aircraft and conducts the additional tasks identified in the PTS. This practical test may be conducted in the same or additional category of aircraft.
c. Upon successful completion of the practical test, the limitation will be removed and the sport pilot is authorized to act as pilot-in-command (PIC) in all categories of light-sport aircraft for which he or she has a make and model endorsement within a set of aircraft to operate. The Page 4 Par 8
limitation can also be removed if the sport pilot completes the certification requirements in an aircraft with a minimum of two places, for a higher certificate or rating.
d. A sport pilot who is issued a certificate with a single-seat limitation must complete a flight review, as required by section 61.56. If the flight review is conducted in an aircraft, it must be in an aircraft with a minimum of two pilot stations, in which the pilot is rated, and with an authorized instructor who is current and qualified to act as PIC.
e. An instructor may perform a proficiency check for an additional category or privilege in accordance with section 61.321 to be added to a sport pilot certificate or higher using a singleseat light-sport aircraft, provided the instructor is also a DPE or an ASI.
f. The instructor or ASI must agree to conduct the practical test in a single-seat light-sport aircraft and must ensure that the proficiency check is conducted in accordance with the sport pilot PTS for single-seat aircraft. Knowledge of all tasks applicable to the category or class of aircraft will be evaluated orally. Those pilots seeking sport pilot privileges in a single-seat lightsport aircraft must demonstrate competency in those specific tasks identified in the PTS and any other tasks selected by the instructor.
g. The instructor or ASI must have radio contact and be in a position to observe the operation of the light-sport aircraft and evaluate the proficiency of the applicant from the ground.
h. On successful completion of proficiency check, the instructor or ASI will issue an endorsement with the following limitation: “No passenger carriage and flight in a single-pilot station aircraft only (add category/class/make and model)” limiting the pilot’s operations to a single-seat aircraft in this category, class, make, and model. The instructor must sign this endorsement with his or her CFI and examiner number.
i. This limitation can be removed by the pilot having successfully completed a proficiency check involving the additional tasks identified in the PTS in a two-pilot station light-sport aircraft for the specific category and class rating sought and in accordance with section 61.321.
The proficiency check must be conducted in the same category and class of light-sport aircraft.
Upon successful completion of the proficiency check, the pilot will be issued an endorsement for the light-sport aircraft privilege sought.
j. A recreational pilot or higher, when exercising sport pilot privileges, is required to have an endorsement for only the category and/or class of light-sport aircraft for which he/she is authorized to act as PIC. A sport pilot is required to have an endorsement for the category, class, make, and model within a set of aircraft (see section 61.1(b)(14) for the definition of “set of aircraft”) in which he/she is authorized to act as PIC.
10. PREREQUISITES FOR PRACTICAL TESTS. Except as provided by section 61.39(c), each applicant must have received an endorsement from an authorized instructor who certified that the applicant received and logged the required flight time/training in preparation for the practical test within 60 days preceding the date of the test and has been found proficient to pass the practical test.
NOTE: The endorsement must also state that the applicant has satisfactory knowledge of the subject areas in which he/she was shown to be deficient by the FAA airman knowledge test report, if required.
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a. All applicants must have the required endorsements specified in part 61 for the aircraft category, class, rating, or privilege of certification sought.
b. All applicants who reapply for a retest for a practical test must present another endorsement from their instructor that states the applicant has been given the necessary training and is prepared for the practical test.
c. A practical test, whether or not satisfactorily completed, “uses up” the instructor’s endorsement for that test. An instructor’s recommendation on FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, is required for each retest conducted for a certificate or rating.
d. Except for a practical test for a sport pilot certificate, flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating, glider category rating, or a balloon class rating, applicants must hold at least a current third class medical certificate. If the practical test/proficiency check is being administered in a flight simulator/flight training device, the applicant is not required to hold a medical certificate (see section 61.23(b)(8)).
e. The ability to read, speak, write, and understand the English language is an eligibility requirement that applies to all pilot certificates, ratings, and privileges. No certificate, rating, or privilege will be issued if the applicant cannot meet this requirement, except when such inability to read, speak, write, and understand the English language is due to medical reasons and as permitted under section 61.13(b), and as allowed by other CFR sections.
11. STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATION. Specific knowledge, flight proficiency, flight experience, and endorsement requirements for the student pilot certificate are located in part 61, subpart C.
a. A student pilot certificate can be issued by a designated aviation medical examiner as part of a medical certificate. However, an ASI and DPE can also issue student pilot certificates.
Whenever a student pilot certificate (other than a student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate) is issued by an ASI or DPE, the applicant must hold a current medical certificate for performing solo privileges in an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, weight-shift-control aircraft, powered parachute, or airship. Glider and balloon student pilots are not required to hold a medical certificate (see section 61.23(b)(3)).
(1) Use the following table to determine how to apply for a student pilot certificate for applicants other than those seeking a sport pilot certificate:
If … Then…
(a) An applicant operates a balloon or glider, or has a current and valid medical certificate issued under 14 CFR part 67,
(a) The applicant must apply using FAA Form 8710-1 with a FSDO or an FAA DPE to receive a student pilot certificate (FAA Form 8710-2).
(b) An applicant is not operating a balloon or a glider, and does not have a current and valid medical certificate issued under part 67,
(b) The applicant must apply for a student medical certificate (FAA Form 8420-2, Medical Certificate _______ Class and Student Pilot Certificate), with at least a third class medical certificate issued under part 67 with an FAA aviation medical examiner.
(2) Use the following table to determine how to apply for a student pilot certificate for applicants seeking a sport pilot certificate:
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If … Then…
(a) An applicant operates a balloon or glider, or has a current and valid medical certificate issued under part 67, or a current and valid U.S. driver’s license,
(a) The applicant must apply for a student pilot certificate with a FSDO or an FAA DPE.
(b) An applicant is not operating a balloon or a glider, and has neither a current and valid medical certificate issued under part 67, nor a current and valid U.S. driver’s license,
(b) The applicant must apply for a student medical certificate with at least a third class medical certificate issued under part 67 with an FAA aviation medical examiner.
b. Additional information on the eligibility requirements for student pilots can be found in section 61.83 and the general limitations for student pilots can be found in section 61.89.
12. PRESOLO REQUIREMENTS.
a. The “90-day” solo endorsement that goes in the student pilot’s logbook is required every 90 days for the student to be afforded continuing solo privileges, per section 61.87(n).
b. Although section 61.19(b) establishes, in a pertinent part, that a student pilot certificate expires 24 calendar-months from the month in which it is issued, the endorsements on that student pilot certificate are a matter of record indefinitely. The endorsements are required to be updated from “time-to-time” in the student pilot’s logbook to retain solo privileges.
c. The following pre-solo requirements must be met:
(1) Before being authorized to conduct a solo flight, a student pilot must have demonstrated satisfactory aeronautical knowledge by completion of a knowledge test (see § 61.87(b)). Before being authorized to conduct a solo flight, a student pilot must have received and logged the flight training required by sections 61.87(c) and (d) through (m), as appropriate.
Satisfactory aeronautical knowledge and an acceptable performance level must have been demonstrated to an authorized instructor, per section 61.87(b).
(2) Prior to solo flight, a student pilot is required to have his or her student pilot certificate and logbook endorsed for the specific make and model aircraft to be flown.
Thereafter, the student pilot’s logbook must be endorsed every 90 days to retain solo flight privileges. These endorsements must be given by an authorized flight instructor who has flown with the student (per section 61.87(p)).
13. ADDITIONAL SOLO PRIVILEGES. The following additional student solo privileges may be authorized:
NOTE: The student pilot certificate only provides for listing the aircraft’s category for the solo cross-country privilege endorsement. Per section 61.93(c)(1), the solo cross-country endorsement on the student pilot certificate must be “. . . for the specific category of aircraft to be flown.”
However, per section 61.93(c)(2)(i), the solo cross-country endorsement in the student pilot’s logbook must be “. . . for the specific make and model of aircraft to be flown.”
a. A student pilot may operate an aircraft in solo flight at night provided that student has received the required flight training at night and the appropriate endorsements as required by Par 11 Page 7
section 61.87(o). A student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate is not authorized to operate a light-sport aircraft at night, per section 61.89(c).
(1) A student pilot may operate an aircraft on a solo cross-country flight provided that student has received the training required by sections 61.93(e) through (m), as appropriate, has demonstrated acceptable skills, abilities, and competency to his/her instructor who then would endorse the person’s student pilot certificate and logbook. Additionally, before each solo crosscountry flight, an instructor must endorse the student’s logbook.
NOTE: This endorsement does not need to be made by the instructor who normally provides training to the student.
(2) The instructor who makes the endorsement to authorize this solo cross-country flight will personally review the student’s preflight planning and preparation and attest to the correctness and preparedness of the student’s cross-country planning under the known circumstances. The instructor may add limitations to the endorsement to ensure an accurate written understanding between the student and the instructor to better ensure the safety of the flight.
b. When an instructor permits his or her student to make a solo cross-country flight, any solo flight greater than 25 nautical miles (nm) (or 15 nm in the case of a powered parachute) from the airport from where the flight originated, or make any solo flight and landing at any location other than the airport of origination, that student must have received the solo crosscountry training and endorsements requirements of section 61.93. Additionally, unless there is an emergency, no student may make a solo flight landing at any point other than the airport where the student pilot normally receives cross-country training and endorsements of section 61.93.
c. A flight instructor may authorize a student to practice solo takeoffs and landings at an airport within 25 nm (or 15 nm in the case of a powered parachute) from the airport at which the student pilot is normally receiving training after meeting the requirements of section 61.93(b)(1).
d. A student pilot may be authorized to make repeated, specific solo cross-country flights that are not greater than 50 nm from the point of departure if the student meets the requirements of section 61.93(b)(2). The authorized instructor should specify in the student’s logbook endorsement, the conditions under which the flights may be made.
e. A student pilot who seeks a sport pilot certificate or a recreational pilot certificate and wants to obtain privileges to operate in Class B, C, and D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, and to, from, through, or at an airport having an operational control tower, must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in section 61.94(a) and have received a logbook endorsement in accordance with section 61.94(b).
f. A student pilot may NOT operate an aircraft in solo flight in Class B airspace or on a solo flight to, from, or at an airport located in Class B airspace unless that student pilot has received the ground and flight training and instructor endorsements required by section 61.95(a) and (b).
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