Pilot Qualifications
Private Pilot ACS · Area I · Task A · 14 CFR 61, 14 CFR 91, FAA-H-8083-25
Everything you need to know about Pilot Qualifications for your private pilot checkride. Aligned to FAA-S-ACS-6C Task I-A, covering certificate requirements, medical certificates, currency requirements.
Certificate Requirements 14 CFR 61 §
Part 61 Hour Requirements §
Minimum age: 17 for certificate; 16 to solo.
Total hours: 40 minimum (Part 61).
Dual received: 20 hrs, including:
• 3 hrs XC flight in a single-engine airplane
• 3 hrs night — 1 XC >100 nm, 10 full-stop T&Ls at an airport
• 3 hrs simulated instrument conditions
• 3 hrs in make/model within 60 calendar days of the practical test
Solo flight time: 10 hrs, including:
• 5 hrs of solo XC
• One XC ≥150 nm, full-stop at ≥3 points, one leg ≥50 nm
• 3 hrs solo in make/model within 60 days of practical test
• Solo T&Ls at a towered airport
Total hours: 40 minimum (Part 61).
Dual received: 20 hrs, including:
• 3 hrs XC flight in a single-engine airplane
• 3 hrs night — 1 XC >100 nm, 10 full-stop T&Ls at an airport
• 3 hrs simulated instrument conditions
• 3 hrs in make/model within 60 calendar days of the practical test
Solo flight time: 10 hrs, including:
• 5 hrs of solo XC
• One XC ≥150 nm, full-stop at ≥3 points, one leg ≥50 nm
• 3 hrs solo in make/model within 60 days of practical test
• Solo T&Ls at a towered airport
14 CFR 61.109(a)
Part 141 vs Part 61 §
| Requirement | Part 61 | Part 141 |
|---|---|---|
| Total hours | 40 | 35 |
| Dual required | 20 | 20 |
| Solo required | 10 | 5 |
| Stage checks | None required | Required |
| Written test | Any time | End of ground |
| Oversight | CFI only | FAA-approved syllabus |
Part 141 schools operate under an FAA-approved syllabus with standardized stage checks. The hour reduction applies only when training at an approved Part 141 school.
14 CFR 61.109; 141.55
Medical Certificates 14 CFR 61.23 §
Medical Classes for Private Pilot §
3rd-Class Medical: Minimum required for private pilot PIC.
• Under 40 at exam date → valid 60 calendar months
• Age 40 or older at exam date → valid 24 calendar months
• Issued by an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)
2nd-Class: Required for commercial operations. If held, pilots may also exercise private pilot privileges. Valid 12 months for commercial; then drops to 3rd-class privileges for 24/60 months.
1st-Class: Required for ATP. Valid 6 or 12 months for ATP; then steps down.
• Under 40 at exam date → valid 60 calendar months
• Age 40 or older at exam date → valid 24 calendar months
• Issued by an FAA Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)
2nd-Class: Required for commercial operations. If held, pilots may also exercise private pilot privileges. Valid 12 months for commercial; then drops to 3rd-class privileges for 24/60 months.
1st-Class: Required for ATP. Valid 6 or 12 months for ATP; then steps down.
14 CFR 61.23(d)
BasicMed — Alternative to 3rd-Class §
Physician exam: Any state-licensed physician; not required to be an AME. Exam every 48 calendar months.
Online course: FAA-approved course every 24 calendar months.
Limitations:
• ≤6 occupants, ≤6,000 lbs MGTOW
• ≤250 KIAS indicated airspeed
• ≤18,000 ft MSL
• VFR only within the US
• Not for compensation or hire
Cannot use BasicMed: If most recent AME medical was denied, revoked, or suspended.
Online course: FAA-approved course every 24 calendar months.
Limitations:
• ≤6 occupants, ≤6,000 lbs MGTOW
• ≤250 KIAS indicated airspeed
• ≤18,000 ft MSL
• VFR only within the US
• Not for compensation or hire
Cannot use BasicMed: If most recent AME medical was denied, revoked, or suspended.
14 CFR part 68; AC 68-1
Temporary Disqualification §
A pilot is grounded anytime they do not meet medical standards, even with a valid certificate. This includes:
• Known medical condition that would prevent issuance
• Taking a medication on the AME's disqualifying drug list
• Any condition causing deterioration of visual acuity, vertigo, fainting, etc.
Responsibility is on the pilot to ground themselves — not on ATC or the medical examiner. Under 14 CFR 61.53: no person may act as a required crewmember while having a known medical deficiency.
• Known medical condition that would prevent issuance
• Taking a medication on the AME's disqualifying drug list
• Any condition causing deterioration of visual acuity, vertigo, fainting, etc.
Responsibility is on the pilot to ground themselves — not on ATC or the medical examiner. Under 14 CFR 61.53: no person may act as a required crewmember while having a known medical deficiency.
14 CFR 61.53
Currency Requirements 14 CFR 61.56 / 91.107 §
Flight Review (BFR) §
Every 24 calendar months to act as PIC. Must include at minimum:
• 1 hour of ground training (covering 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91 and applicable ACS)
• 1 hour of flight training
• No logbook endorsement = flight review not complete
Exceptions that substitute for a flight review: Passing a practical test (checkride), completing a Wings phase, certain military pilot competency checks.
Calendar months: "24 calendar months" means through the end of that month two years later. BFR on June 14, 2023 → valid through June 30, 2025.
• 1 hour of ground training (covering 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91 and applicable ACS)
• 1 hour of flight training
• No logbook endorsement = flight review not complete
Exceptions that substitute for a flight review: Passing a practical test (checkride), completing a Wings phase, certain military pilot competency checks.
Calendar months: "24 calendar months" means through the end of that month two years later. BFR on June 14, 2023 → valid through June 30, 2025.
14 CFR 61.56
Passenger-Carrying Currency §
To carry day passengers: 3 takeoffs and landings in the same category/class within the preceding 90 days.
To carry night passengers: 3 full-stop T&Ls between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise within the preceding 90 days. Touch-and-goes do NOT count for night currency.
Tailwheel aircraft: Currency requires full-stop landings in a tailwheel aircraft; not transferable from tricycle gear.
Type specificity: Currency must be in the same category (airplane), class (single-engine land), and type (if type rating required).
To carry night passengers: 3 full-stop T&Ls between 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise within the preceding 90 days. Touch-and-goes do NOT count for night currency.
Tailwheel aircraft: Currency requires full-stop landings in a tailwheel aircraft; not transferable from tricycle gear.
Type specificity: Currency must be in the same category (airplane), class (single-engine land), and type (if type rating required).
14 CFR 91.107(a)(3)
Privileges & Limitations 14 CFR 61.113 §
What a Private Pilot May Do §
May act as PIC: In any aircraft they are rated for, during day or night, VFR or IFR (if instrument rated), in any class of airspace appropriate to the certificate.
Expense sharing (pro-rata): Carry passengers for shared expenses — fuel, oil, airport fees — as long as the pilot pays at least an equal share. With 3 passengers: pilot pays ≥25% of total cost.
Charity flights: 14 CFR 61.113(d)-(f) allows certain charitable operations under specific FAA-approved exceptions.
Towing gliders: Permitted with a separate towing endorsement (14 CFR 61.69).
Expense sharing (pro-rata): Carry passengers for shared expenses — fuel, oil, airport fees — as long as the pilot pays at least an equal share. With 3 passengers: pilot pays ≥25% of total cost.
Charity flights: 14 CFR 61.113(d)-(f) allows certain charitable operations under specific FAA-approved exceptions.
Towing gliders: Permitted with a separate towing endorsement (14 CFR 61.69).
14 CFR 61.113
What a Private Pilot May NOT Do §
May NOT act as PIC for compensation or hire — this requires at minimum a commercial certificate.
May NOT carry passengers for hire — even if not acting as PIC (14 CFR 61.113(a)).
May NOT fly in Class A airspace without an instrument rating — Class A requires IFR flight, which requires an instrument rating and IFR clearance.
May NOT act as required flight crew on an aircraft for which a type rating is required unless holding that rating.
May NOT carry passengers for hire — even if not acting as PIC (14 CFR 61.113(a)).
May NOT fly in Class A airspace without an instrument rating — Class A requires IFR flight, which requires an instrument rating and IFR clearance.
May NOT act as required flight crew on an aircraft for which a type rating is required unless holding that rating.
14 CFR 61.113(a); 91.135
Endorsements Required 14 CFR 61.87 / 61.93 §
Student Solo Endorsements §
Before first solo, an instructor must provide:
• Logbook endorsement: Certifying the student has received training in the make and model to be flown, and meets proficiency for solo flight (14 CFR 61.87)
• Pre-solo written test: Instructor must administer and grade a written test on Part 91 rules applicable to solo flight and the aircraft's flight characteristics
• 90-day endorsement: The solo endorsement in the student's logbook must be renewed every 90 days for solo flight to continue
For solo XC: additional logbook AND certificate endorsements required per 14 CFR 61.93.
• Logbook endorsement: Certifying the student has received training in the make and model to be flown, and meets proficiency for solo flight (14 CFR 61.87)
• Pre-solo written test: Instructor must administer and grade a written test on Part 91 rules applicable to solo flight and the aircraft's flight characteristics
• 90-day endorsement: The solo endorsement in the student's logbook must be renewed every 90 days for solo flight to continue
For solo XC: additional logbook AND certificate endorsements required per 14 CFR 61.93.
14 CFR 61.87(c); 61.93
Pre-Checkride Endorsements §
Before the practical test, a student must have logbook endorsements certifying:
• Training on each ACS area that was deficient on the knowledge test
• Ground training for the practical test (61.39(a)(6))
• Flight training — applicant has received the required training and is prepared for the practical test
• Within 60 days of the test: at least 3 hours of flight training in the make and model
Written test score: Must be 70% or above on the FAA Airman Knowledge Test. No expiration, but DPE may require recent testing.
• Training on each ACS area that was deficient on the knowledge test
• Ground training for the practical test (61.39(a)(6))
• Flight training — applicant has received the required training and is prepared for the practical test
• Within 60 days of the test: at least 3 hours of flight training in the make and model
Written test score: Must be 70% or above on the FAA Airman Knowledge Test. No expiration, but DPE may require recent testing.
14 CFR 61.39; 61.109
Documents Required to Act as PIC 14 CFR 61.3 §
Pilot Must Have in Possession §
1. Pilot certificate — physical or digital (electronic on phone is acceptable per 14 CFR 61.3)
2. Valid medical certificate or BasicMed documentation
3. Government-issued photo ID — driver's license, passport, etc.
Night logging definition (different from currency window):
Night for logging flight time = end of evening civil twilight to beginning of morning civil twilight. This is later than sunset and earlier than sunrise.
Night for passenger currency = 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.
2. Valid medical certificate or BasicMed documentation
3. Government-issued photo ID — driver's license, passport, etc.
Night logging definition (different from currency window):
Night for logging flight time = end of evening civil twilight to beginning of morning civil twilight. This is later than sunset and earlier than sunrise.
Night for passenger currency = 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.
14 CFR 61.3; 61.51(b)(3)
Proficiency vs Currency §
Currency: A legal threshold — the minimum required by regulation to exercise a privilege (e.g., 3 T&Ls in 90 days). Being current means you are legal.
Proficiency: Actual skill and ability to safely perform maneuvers — regardless of what the regulations say. Being current does not mean you are safe.
A pilot who flew three touch-and-goes 89 days ago is legally current but may be far from proficient. The ACS expects pilots to maintain both. If the DPE asks about your last flight and it was weeks ago in different conditions, honesty and self-assessment are required.
Get an instructional flight anytime currency was recent but proficiency is in question.
Proficiency: Actual skill and ability to safely perform maneuvers — regardless of what the regulations say. Being current does not mean you are safe.
A pilot who flew three touch-and-goes 89 days ago is legally current but may be far from proficient. The ACS expects pilots to maintain both. If the DPE asks about your last flight and it was weeks ago in different conditions, honesty and self-assessment are required.
Get an instructional flight anytime currency was recent but proficiency is in question.