Pilot Qualifications

Overview

Part 61 vs. Part 141

What is Part 61?

• Certification requirements for recreational pilots
• Part 61 is a more flexible training program that allows the individual to set their schedule and the instructor to cater lesson plans based upon the students learning progression.

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What is Part 141?

• Completed through a qualified flight school with the emphasis on a structured education.
• Part 141 schools utilize an FAA-approved syllabus to adhere to their structured lessons and set progress checks to ensure the students progression.

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Are They Similar?

• Yes! All private pilots are required to meet the same airman certification standards in order to achieve their pilots license.
• However, under part 141, the hour requirements are lower.
• Example: Under part 61, private pilots are required to complete 10 hours of solo time , whereas part 141 is not.

Proficiency vs. Currency

Proficiency – Am I Safe To Fly?

• You understand the normal operations as well as the “what-if” readiness for your type of flying.
• You are fully competent in those actions

Currency – Am I Legal To Fly?

• You have met the requirements to act as a pilot in command of the aircraft
• The Requirements Are:
• VFR Day – 3 landings in the previous 90 days
• VFR Night – 3 landings to a full stop in the previous 90 days
• Night: 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise; sunset to sunrise – nav lights and airport lights are on; the end of civil twilight and the beginning of morning twilight = able to log night flight.

Privileges and Limitations

Each certification and rating has its own specified privileges and limitations.

What is a Privilege?

• Defines where and when the pilot may fly
• With whom they may fly
• The purpose of the flight
• Type of aircraft they can fly

What is a Limitations?

• The FAA may impose limitations on a pilot certificate if, during training or the practical test, the pilot does not demonstrate all skills necessary to exercise all privileges of a privilege level, category, class, or type rating.

Endorsements

• A form of authorization
• Written to establish that certificate holder has received that specific training
• They must be written and signed by an authorized instructor

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Record Keeping

• “A pilot is required to log all flight time that is used to meet the minimum requirements for a certificate, rating, flight review, or instrument proficiency check, and for currency” (61.51)
• The pilot does not need to record every single flight if they choose not to
• When logging you must include:
• Date
• Flight Time
• Location(s)
• Type of pilot experience: Solo, PIC, Dual
• Condition of flight: Day/Night, Actual/Simulated instrument, FSD, etc.

Medical Exams

Under 40

Over 40

Under 40

Over 40

Under 40

Over 40

1^st Class

• Required for Airline Transport Pilots

2^nd Class

• Required for Commercial License

3^rd Class

• Required for Private

Basic Med

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Basic Med

What is it?

• A Pilot can exercise student, recreational, and private pilot privileges in small aircraft without holding a current medical certificate

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What do you need to fly?

• US Drivers license
• Hold or have held an FAA Medical Certificate after July 14, 2006
• Physical exam through state-licensed physician (48 calendar months)
• BasicMed online course (24 calendar months)
• Fill out a comprehensive medical examination checklist

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Privileges & Limitations:

• Fly with no more than 6 occupants
• Fly an aircraft with a max takeoff weight of 6,000lbs
• Fly an aircraft that has no more than 6 seats
• Fly in the US under 250knots and below 18,000’ MSL
• May not fly for compensation or hire (but you can act as CFI)

Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA)

• Valid for a specific period
• Allows a pilot with a disqualifying condition to apply for a medical (any class)
• Given under the authorization of the federal flight surgeon
• Have to perform a medical flight test, practical test, or medical evaluation and in the process demonstrates they they do not endanger public safety

Student Pilot

Obtaining A Student Pilot Certificate

• The student can be processed by a:
• DPE
• CFI
• FAA inspector or technician
• Airman Certification Representative (ACR)
• When done electronically this will be submitted to the FAA’s Airman Certification Branch vis IACRA
• The certificate will be sent by mail once processed and complete

Qualifications

• Be at least 16 years old (14 years for a glider or balloon)
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
• Obtain a medical certificate

Sport Pilot

Qualifications

• Be at least 16 years old to be a student sport pilot (14 years old for gliders or balloons)
• Be at least 17 years old to test for a sport pilot certificate (16 years for gliders or balloons)
• Be able to read, write, and understand English
• Hold a current and valid driver’s license as evidence of medical eligibility
• Pass a knowledge test
• Pass the practical test

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Needed Experience

These will very between aircraft

• Airplane: 20 hours
• Powered Parachute: 12 hours
• Weight-Shift Control (Trikes): 20 hours
• Glider: 10 hours
• Rotorcraft (gyroplane only): 20 hours
• Lighter-Than-Air (Airship): 20 hours
• Lighter-Than-Air (Balloon): 7 hours

Privileges

• Operate as pilot in command (PIC) or a light-sport
• Carry a passenger and share expenses
• Fly during the daytime using VFR
• Minimum of 3 SM visibility
• Visual contact with the ground

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Limitations

• Prohibited from flying in Class A airspace
• Prohibited from flying in Class B, C, or D airspace without training and a logbook endorsement
• No flights outside the US without prior permission from the foreign aviation authority
• May not tow any object
• No flights while carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire
• Prohibited from flying in furtherance of a business

Required Documents

• Pilot Certificate
• Photo Identification
• FAA medical certificate

Recent Flight Experience

• In the preceding 24 calendar months, the pilot must have completed a flight review (Biennial)
• Must be completed in the aircraft for which the pilot is rated
• Can be given by an authorized instructor and received a logbook endorsement
• Need a 1 hour flight and a 1 hour ground lesson
• A practical test would reset this clock
• WINGS – an online course to be taken to ensure pilot proficiency and promote safety (Basic, Advanced, Master)

To Carry Passengers

In the preceding 90 days:

• 3 takeoffs and landings of an aircraft in the same category, class, and type (if applicable)
• Tailwheel landings must be to a full stop
• For night currency (1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise)
• 3 takeoff and landings to a full stop in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if applicable)
• Night currency can replace day but day cannot replace night
• You are not allowed to carry passengers if you are trying to get re-current

Recreational Pilot

Qualifications

• Be at least 17 years old
• Be able to read, write, speak, and understand English
• Pass the required knowledge test
• Meet the aeronautical experience requirements depending on category of aircraft
• Obtain a logbook endorsement from an instructor
• Pass the required practical test
• Obtain a third-class medical

Needed Experience

• 30 hours of flight time including:
• 15 hours of dual instruction
• 2 hours of en-route training
• 3 hours in preparation for the practical test
• 3 hours of solo flight

Privileges and Limitations

Privileges

• Carry no more than one passenger
• Not pay less than the pro-rata share of the operating expenses

Limitations

• A recreational pilot may not act as PIC of an aircraft with more than 4 occupants or 1 powerplant

Required Documents

• Pilot Certificate
• Photo Identification
• FAA medical certificate

Recent Flight Experience

• In the preceding 24 calendar months, the pilot must have completed a flight review (Biennial)
• Must be completed in the aircraft for which the pilot is rated
• Can be given by an authorized instructor and received a logbook endorsement
• Need a 1 hour flight and a 1 hour ground lesson
• A practical test would reset this clock
• WINGS – an online course to be taken to ensure pilot proficiency and promote safety (Basic, Advanced, Master)

To Carry Passengers

In the preceding 90 days:

• 3 takeoffs and landings of an aircraft in the same category, class, and type (if applicable)
• Tailwheel landings must be to a full stop
• For night currency (1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise)
• 3 takeoff and landings to a full stop in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if applicable)
• Night currency can replace day but day cannot replace night
• You are not allowed to carry passengers if you are trying to get re-current

Private Pilot

Qualifications

• Be at least 17 yeas old (16 for glider or balloon)
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
• Pass the required knowledge test
• Meet the experience requirements (61.107b)
• Hold a student pilot, sport pilot, or recreational pilot certificate

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Needed Experience

• FAR 61.103
• 40 Total Hours
• 20 Dual Instruction
• 3 hours XC
• 3 hours at night
• XC of at least 100nm
• 10 take off and landings to a full stop
• 3 hours of basic instrument
• 3 hours of check ride prep
• 10 solo hours
• 5 XC
• 150nm XC with 3 full stop take off and landings, with 1 leg being at least 50nm.
• 50nm XC
• 3 take off and landings to a full stop

Privileges and Limitations

Required Documents

• Pilot Certificate
• Photo Identification
• FAA medical certificate

Recent Flight Experience

• In the preceding 24 calendar months, the pilot must have completed a flight review (Biennial)
• Must be completed in the aircraft for which the pilot is rated
• Can be given by an authorized instructor and received a logbook endorsement
• Need a 1 hour flight and a 1 hour ground lesson
• A practical test would reset this clock
• WINGS – an online course to be taken to ensure pilot proficiency and promote safety (Basic, Advanced, Master)

To Carry Passengers

In the preceding 90 days:

• 3 takeoffs and landings of an aircraft in the same category, class, and type (if applicable)
• Tailwheel landings must be to a full stop
• For night currency (1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise)
• 3 takeoff and landings to a full stop in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if applicable)
• Night currency can replace day but day cannot replace night
• You are not allowed to carry passengers if you are trying to get re-current

Commercial Pilot

Qualifications

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
• Pass the knowledge test (61.125)
• Meet the aeronautical experience requirements
• Pass the required practical test (61.127b)
• Hold at least a private pilot certificate (61.73)
• Hold a second class medical certificate

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Needed Experience

Must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of:

• 100 hours in powered aircraft (50 in airplanes)
• 100 hours of PIC including
• 50 hours in airplanes
• 50 hours in XC flight (10 in airplanes)
• 20 hours of training in the following areas:
• 10 hours of instrument training (5 in single engine airplane)
• 10 hours in a complex, high-performance, or a technically advanced airplane
• 2 hour XC flight during the day with one leg being more than 100NM
• 2 hour XC flight at night with one leg being more than 100NM
• 3 hours of practical test preparation in the airplane 2 calendar months prior
• 10 hours of solo flight time or performing all PIC duties
• 1 XC flight at least 300NM with landings at 3 points and a leg of at least 250NM
• 5 hours of night VFR conditions with 10 take offs and landings at an operating towered airport.

Complex, High-Performance, & TAA

Complex

• Retractable gear
• Flaps
• Controllable pitch propeller

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High-Performance

• Engine has a over 200 horsepower

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Technically Advanced Aircraft (61.129J)

• Primary Flight Display (PFD)
• Multifunctional Display (MFD)
• Two-axis autopilot with navigation and heading guidance

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Privileges

• Can carry persons or property for compensation or hire
• If someone else is supplying the aircraft you can charge for your piloting services on board that aircraft
• Engage in operations listed under 119 without an operating certificate
• Fly private carriage flights

119.1e Operations

• Student instruction
• Non-stop commercial Air tours
• “in an airplane or helicopter having a standard airworthiness certificate and passenger-seat configuration of 30 seats or fewer and a maximum payload capacity of 7,500 pounds or less that begin and end at the same airport, and are conducted within a 25-statuate mile radius or that airport
• Ferry or training flights
• Aerial work operations
• Crop dusting, seeding, spraying, bird chasing, banner towing, aerial photography or survey, firefighting, powerline or pipeline patrol
• Sightseeing conducted in hot air balloons
• Nonstop flights conducted within a 25 statute mile radius of the airport of takeoff carrying passengers or objects for the purpose of conducing intentional parachute operations
• Emergency mail service
• Small UAS operations

Common Carriage

“An applicant is engaged in common carriage if the applicant “holds out” to the public (by advertising or other means) to transport persons or property for compensation or hire”

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• Requires either an air carrier certificate or commercial operating certificate
• The airplane will operate under 121 or 135 regulations

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Private Carriage

Transports people or property for compensation or hire under a mutual contractual agreement between the operator and a person or organization, which did not result from the operator’s holding out or offering service

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• Need an air carrier or commercial certificate that will depend on the type of operation conducted and the size of the airplane
• Generally, operate under part 135 or 125 regulations and have fewer limitations that common carriers that typically operate under part 121

Limitations

Without an instrument rating

• Pilot cannot carry passengers for hire more than 50NM from the point of departure and at night

Holding Out

Pilot communicates to the public that they are willing to transport people or property for compensation or hire

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• Wet lease - both the aircraft and pilot are supplied by the same company (not legal unless you have an air carrier certificate)
• Dry lease - pilot and aircraft come from two different places

Required Documents

• Pilot Certificate
• Photo Identification
• FAA medical certificate

To Carry Passengers

In the preceding 90 days:

• 3 takeoffs and landings of an aircraft in the same category, class, and type (if applicable)
• Tailwheel landings must be to a full stop
• For night currency (1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise)
• 3 takeoff and landings to a full stop in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if applicable)
• Night currency can replace day but day cannot replace night
• You are not allowed to carry passengers if you are trying to get re-current

Recent Flight Experience

• In the preceding 24 calendar months, the pilot must have completed a flight review (Biennial)
• Must be completed in the aircraft for which the pilot is rated
• Can be given by an authorized instructor and received a logbook endorsement
• Need a 1 hour flight and a 1 hour ground lesson
• A practical test would reset this clock
• WINGS – an online course to be taken to ensure pilot proficiency and promote safety (Basic, Advanced, Master)

Flight Instructor