579 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 61.105 

(3) Has found that the recreational 

pilot is competent to make solo flights 
in accordance with the logbook en-
dorsement. 

(k) A recreational pilot may act as 

pilot in command of an aircraft with-
out holding a medical certificate issued 
under part 67 of this chapter provided 
the pilot holds a valid U.S. driver’s li-
cense, meets the requirements of 
§ 61.23(c)(3), and the operation is con-
ducted consistent with this section and 
the conditions of § 61.113(i). Where the 
requirements of this section conflict 
with § 61.113(i), a recreational pilot 
must comply with this section. 

[Doc. No. 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as 
amended by Amdt. 61–110, 69 FR 44868, July 
27, 2004; Amdt. 61–124, 74 FR 42558, Aug. 21, 
2009; Docket FAA–2016–9157, Amdt. 61–140, 82 
FR 3165, Jan. 11, 2017] 

Subpart E—Private Pilots 

§ 61.102

Applicability. 

This subpart prescribes the require-

ments for the issuance of private pilot 
certificates and ratings, the conditions 
under which those certificates and rat-
ings are necessary, and the general op-
erating rules for persons who hold 
those certificates and ratings. 

§ 61.103

Eligibility requirements: Gen-

eral. 

To be eligible for a private pilot cer-

tificate, a person must: 

(a) Be at least 17 years of age for a 

rating in other than a glider or bal-
loon. 

(b) Be at least 16 years of age for a 

rating in a glider or balloon. 

(c) Be able to read, speak, write, and 

understand the English language. If the 
applicant is unable to meet one of 
these requirements due to medical rea-
sons, then the Administrator may 
place such operating limitations on 
that applicant’s pilot certificate as are 
necessary for the safe operation of the 
aircraft. 

(d) Receive a logbook endorsement 

from an authorized instructor who: 

(1) Conducted the training or re-

viewed the person’s home study on the 
aeronautical knowledge areas listed in 
§ 61.105(b) of this part that apply to the 
aircraft rating sought; and 

(2) Certified that the person is pre-

pared for the required knowledge test. 

(e) Pass the required knowledge test 

on the aeronautical knowledge areas 
listed in § 61.105(b) of this part. 

(f) Receive flight training and a log-

book endorsement from an authorized 
instructor who: 

(1) Conducted the training in the 

areas of operation listed in § 61.107(b) of 
this part that apply to the aircraft rat-
ing sought; and 

(2) Certified that the person is pre-

pared for the required practical test. 

(g) Meet the aeronautical experience 

requirements of this part that apply to 
the aircraft rating sought before apply-
ing for the practical test. 

(h) Pass a practical test on the areas 

of operation listed in § 61.107(b) of this 
part that apply to the aircraft rating 
sought. 

(i) Comply with the appropriate sec-

tions of this part that apply to the air-
craft category and class rating sought. 

(j) Hold a U.S. student pilot certifi-

cate, sport pilot certificate, or rec-
reational pilot certificate. 

[Doc. No. 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as 
amended by Amdt. 61–124, 74 FR 42558, Aug. 
21, 2009] 

§ 61.105

Aeronautical knowledge. 

(a) 

General. 

A person who is applying 

for a private pilot certificate must re-
ceive and log ground training from an 
authorized instructor or complete a 
home-study course on the aeronautical 
knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of 
this section that apply to the aircraft 
category and class rating sought. 

(b) 

Aeronautical knowledge areas. 

(1) 

Applicable Federal Aviation Regula-
tions of this chapter that relate to pri-
vate pilot privileges, limitations, and 
flight operations; 

(2) Accident reporting requirements 

of the National Transportation Safety 
Board; 

(3) Use of the applicable portions of 

the ‘‘Aeronautical Information Man-
ual’’ and FAA advisory circulars; 

(4) Use of aeronautical charts for 

VFR navigation using pilotage, dead 
reckoning, and navigation systems; 

(5) Radio communication procedures; 
(6) Recognition of critical weather 

situations from the ground and in 
flight, windshear avoidance, and the 

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