What are the eligibility requirements for a private pilot certificate?
- Must be at least 17 years old
- Must be able to read/write/speak/understand the English language
- Must receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor for the knowledge test
- Pass the required knowledge test
- Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor for the practical test.
- Meet the aeronautical experience requirements.
- Pass a practical test
- Hold a U.S. student pilot certificate, sport pilot certificate, or recreational pilot certificate.
Where in the FAR/AIM can you find aeronautical experience requirements for a private pilot for a single engine airplane rating?
Section 61.109 (pg. 103)
What are the currency (or recent flight experience) requirements of a pilot to act as PIC of an aircraft carrying passengers during the DAY?
- Three takeoffs and landings as PIC in preceding 90 days prior to carrying passengers:
– Must have acted as sole manipulator of the flight
controls
– Touch and go’s are permitted in tricycle gear
aircraft
– Must be to a full stop in tailwheel airplanes - Must be in the same category, class, and type (if type rating is required)
What are the currency (or recent flight experience) requirements of a pilot to act as PIC of an aircraft carrying passengers during the NIGHT?
- Three takeoffs and landings as PIC in preceding 90 days prior to carrying passengers
– Must be to a full stop, regardless of aircraft variety
– Must have acted as sole manipulator of the flight
controls.
What is the definition of nighttime in relevance to currency requirements?
1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise
What are the two instances of when you HAVE to log flight time?
- Training and aeronautical experience used to meet the requirements for a certificate, rating, or flight review.
- The aeronautical experience required for meeting the recent flight experience requirements. (To keep up with currency)
True or False: You are required to log flight time for every flight you do.
False (you are not required to log flight time except for in the two instances under part 61.51 of the FAR/AIM, but flight time is valuable)
What are the privileges of a private pilot?
- May act as PIC
- May carry passengers
- May fly for a charity, nonprofit, or community event
- May tow a glider
- May do aircraft sales (if you have over 200 hours of logged flight time)
- May conduct search and rescue operations (and can be reimbursed for operating expenses)
What are the limitations of a private pilot?
- Can’t fly for hire or compensation
- You have to pay pro rata share
- Can’t fly in IFR
What does pro rata share mean?
You must pay no less than half of operating expenses (such as fuel, oil, airport expenditures, and rental fees)
Where in the FAR/AIM can you find information about medical certificates, such as medical duration and privileges?
61.23
What medical must you hold in order to exercise the privileges of a private pilot certificate?
At least a third class medical
What would cause temporary disqualifications from flying?
- You could be temporarily disqualified if you have anemia. You would only be disqualified until the anemia is corrected.
- Headaches with sequela can be temporarily disqualifying if they are likely to occur or require treatment.
What are the required documents you must have when flying as a private pilot?
- Government issued photo id
- Valid Medical (at least third class for private pilot)
- Pilot Certificate
What are the BasicMed limitations?
- Cannot fly an aircraft that is authorized to carry more than 6 occupants.
- Cannot fly more than 5 passengers
- Cannot fly an aircraft that has a maximum takeoff weight over 6,000 lbs
- Cannot fly in Class Alpha
- Cannot fly outside the US unless authorized by the country in which the flight is conducted
- Cannot exceed more than 250 knots of indicated airspeed
- Can’t fly for compensation or hire
What must a pilot using BasicMed always carry with them while flying?
- The completed medical examination checklist required
- The certificate of the medical knowledge course completion
What can somebody get if they aren’t able to get a medical or BasicMed? What is this?
They can get a Special Issuance. You ca get this if you have a progressing condition that isn’t terminal (ex: type 1 diabetes)
What is a SODA?
A Statement of Demonstrated Ability; you get this if you have some sort of static condition (ex: if you lost a hand)
What is the difference between proficiency vs. currency?
- Proficiency: deals with safety
- Currency: deals with legality (the minimum standards for flight set by the FAA, and they dictate what is strictly legal, but not what is necessarily safe)
Can you be current but not proficient?
Yes. You can meet the legal requirements but still not be necessarily safe (proficient). (Ex: in order to fly passengers you must be current by completing 3 takeoffs and landings in the preceding 90 days. But, if you did these 90 days ago before the flight, that doesn’t really make you that safe, aka you should probably do another flight closer to the flight day in order to be proficient).
Could I go fly a Cessna over at Auburn with my private pilot license eve though I’ve never flown one before?
Yes I can. But, since I’m unfamiliar with that aircraft, personally in order to remain safe and comfortable, I would ask a CFI to go up with me to do some transitional training in order to feel comfortable and risk free in that plane.
What type of aircrafts can you not fly as a private pilot?
- Cannot fly an aircraft with a constant speed propeller
- Cannot fly an aircraft that has more than 200 horsepower until you have endorsement and training
- Cannot fly a multi-engine propeller aircraft
What must you do in order to stay recent?
Complete a flight review every 2 years (a checkride can replace this)
Could I fly Mr.Barnett and his wife somewhere?
Yes. But I would need a reason to be going there too, or else it’s pretty much flying for hire (being paid through my hours)
