What Do You Need to Become a Pilot?

This is question one on almost every private pilot oral. Answer it cleanly and in order, and you’ve set the tone for the whole ride.

Eligibility §61.103

1. Be at least 17 years old
2. Read, speak, write and understand English
3. Hold a student, sport or recreational pilot certificate
4. Get a logbook endorsement for the knowledge test (covering the §61.105 topics)
5. Pass the knowledge test, valid for 24 calendar months
6. Receive flight training on the §61.107 areas and meet the §61.109 experience
7. Get an endorsement to take the practical test
8. Pass the practical test: oral + flight

The 40-hour minimums §61.109(a)

20 hours of flight training with an instructor, including:

• 3 hrs cross-country training
• 3 hrs night training, including one XC of more than 100 NM total distance and 10 takeoffs and 10 full-stop landings, each with a traffic pattern
• 3 hrs by reference to instruments
• 3 hrs of checkride prep within the preceding 2 calendar months

10 hours solo, including:

• 5 hrs solo cross-country
• One solo XC of 150 NM total, with full-stop landings at 3 points and one leg of more than 50 NM straight-line
• 3 takeoffs and 3 full-stop landings at an airport with an operating control tower

The remaining 10 hours can be dual or solo.

Checkride timing §61.39

Within the preceding 2 calendar months: 3 hours of prep training and a CFI endorsement that you’re prepared. Your knowledge test must have been passed within the preceding 24 calendar months.

What can’t a student pilot do? §61.89

• No passengers
• No flying for compensation or hire, or in furtherance of a business
• No flight with visibility below 3 SM day / 5 SM night
• No flight without visual reference to the surface
• Nothing outside the limits of your CFI’s logbook endorsements

Solo requires a current endorsement (every 90 days), and solo cross-countries need route-specific endorsements.