FAA Solo Requirements

Student Pilot Flight Training

FAA Solo Requirements

Links

FAA General Prerequisites to Solo

Obtain third class medical certificate/student pilot certificate.
Be at least 16 years of age (to solo).
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.

FAA Training Prerequisites to Solo

Sec. 61.87 Solo Requirements for Student Pilots

(a) General. A student pilot may not operate an aircraft in solo flight  unless that student has met the requirements
 of this section. 
 The term ``solo flight'' as used in this subpart means that flight  time during which a student pilot is the
 sole occupant of the aircraft or that flight time during which the student performs the duties of
 a pilot in command of a gas balloon or an airship requiring more than one pilot flight crewmember.

(b) Aeronautical knowledge. A student pilot must demonstrate satisfactory aeronautical knowledge on a
 knowledge test that meets the requirements of this paragraph:

(1)       The test must address the student pilot's knowledge of--

(i)      Applicable sections of parts 61 and 91 of this chapter;

(ii)    Airspace rules and procedures for the airport where the solo
flight will be performed; and

(iii)  Flight characteristics and operational limitations for the
 make and model of aircraft to be flown.

(2)       The student's authorized instructor must--

(i)      Administer the test; and

(ii)    At the conclusion of the test, review all incorrect answers
with the student before authorizing that student to 
conduct a solo flight.

(c) Pre-solo flight training. Prior to conducting a solo flight, a student  pilot must have:

(1) Received and logged flight training for the maneuvers and procedures of this section that are appropriate
 to the  make and model of aircraft to be flown; and

(2) Demonstrated satisfactory proficiency and safety, as judged by an authorized instructor, on the 
maneuvers and procedures required by this section in the make and model of aircraft or similar make
 and model of aircraft to be flown.

(d) Maneuvers and procedures for pre-solo flight training in a single-engine airplane. A student pilot who is receiving
 training  for a single-engine airplane rating must receive and log flight training for the following maneuvers
 and procedures:

(1) Proper flight preparation procedures, including preflight  planning and preparation,
 powerplant operation, and aircraft systems;

(2) Taxiing or surface operations, including runups;

(3) Takeoffs and landings, including normal and crosswind;

(4) Straight and level flight, and turns in both directions;

(5) Climbs and climbing turns;

(6) Airport traffic patterns, including entry and departure procedures;

(7) Collision avoidance, windshear avoidance, and wake turbulence avoidance;

(8) Descents, with and without turns, using high and low drag configurations;

(9) Flight at various airspeeds from cruise to slow flight;

(10) Stall entries from various flight attitudes and power combinations with recovery initiated
at the first indication of a stall, and recovery from a full stall;

(11)  Emergency procedures and equipment malfunctions;

(12)  Ground reference maneuvers;

(13)  Approaches to a landing area with simulated engine malfunctions;

(14)  Slips to a landing; and

(15)  Go-arounds

n)      Limitations on flight instructors authorizing solo flight.

1) No instructor may authorize a student pilot to perform a solo flight unless that instructor has--

(i) Given that student pilot training in the make and model of aircraft or a similar make and 
model of aircraft in which the solo flight is to be flown;

(ii) Determined the student pilot is proficient in the maneuvers and procedures prescribed in this section;

(i)  Determined the student pilot is proficient in the make and model of aircraft to be flown;

(ii) Ensured that the student pilot's certificate has been endorsed by an instructor authorized to provide 
flight training for the specific make and model aircraft to be flown; and

(iii) Endorsed the student pilot's logbook for the specific make and model aircraft to be flown, and 
that endorsement remains current for solo flight privileges, provided an authorized instructor updates 
the student's logbook every 90 days thereafter.

Note to cadet student pilots, your flight instructor may impose limits on your solo endorsement such
as those shown below
- Visibility – 5 statute miles or greater
- Ceiling – 3,000 feet AGL or greater
- Crosswind Component – 7 knots or less
Click for a sample of the pre-solo written test. Individual instructors may construct tests different
from this example.
The Cadet Student Pilot must also be at least 16 years old and hold a valid third class
medical certificate/student pilot certificate.

Links