Endorsements#

For more info, see the CFR’s.

61.87(b) Pre-solo aeronautical knowledge#

Aeronautical knowledge. A student pilot must demonstrate satisfactory aeronautical knowledge on a knowledge test that meets the requirements of this paragraph:

  1. The test must address the student pilot’s knowledge of -

    1. Applicable sections of parts 61 and 91 of this chapter;

    2. Airspace rules and procedures for the airport where the solo flight will be performed; and

    3. Flight characteristics and operational limitations for the make and model of aircraft to be flown.

  2. The student’s authorized instructor must -

    1. Administer the test; and

    2. At the conclusion of the test, review all incorrect answers with the student before authorizing that student to conduct a solo flight.

61.87©(1 and 2) Pre-Solo flight training#

Pre-solo flight training. Prior to conducting a solo flight, a student pilot must have:

  1. Received and logged flight training for the maneuvers and procedures of this section that are appropriate to the make and model of aircraft to be flown; and

  2. Demonstrated satisfactory proficiency and safety, as judged by an authorized instructor, on the maneuvers and procedures required by this section in the make and model of aircraft or similar make and model of aircraft to be flown.

61.87(n) First 90 days#

Limitations on student pilots operating an aircraft in solo flight. A student pilot may not operate an aircraft in solo flight unless that student pilot has received an endorsement in the student’s logbook for the specific make and model aircraft to be flown by an authorized instructor who gave the training within the 90 days preceding the date of the flight.

61.87(o) Solo flight at night#

Limitations on student pilots operating an aircraft in solo flight at night. A student pilot may not operate an aircraft in solo flight at night unless that student pilot has received:

  1. Flight training at night on night flying procedures that includes takeoffs, approaches, landings, and go-arounds at night at the airport where the solo flight will be conducted;

  2. Navigation training at night in the vicinity of the airport where the solo flight will be conducted; and

  3. An endorsement in the student’s logbook for the specific make and model aircraft to be flown for night solo flight by an authorized instructor who gave the training within the 90-day period preceding the date of the flight.

61.87§ Each successive 90 days#

Limitations on flight instructors authorizing solo flight. No instructor may authorize a student pilot to perform a solo flight unless that instructor has -

  1. Given that student pilot training in the make and model of aircraft or a similar make and model of aircraft in which the solo flight is to be flown;

  2. Determined the student pilot is proficient in the maneuvers and procedures prescribed in this section;

  3. Determined the student pilot is proficient in the make and model of aircraft to be flown; and

  4. Endorsed the student pilot’s logbook for the specific make and model aircraft to be flown, and that endorsement remains current for solo flight privileges, provided an authorized instructor updates the student’s logbook every 90 days thereafter.

61.93(b) (1) For towered airport landings#

Authorization to perform certain solo flights and cross-country flights. A student pilot must obtain an endorsement from an authorized instructor to make solo flights from the airport where the student pilot normally receives training to another location. A student pilot who receives this endorsement must comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

  1. Solo flights may be made to another airport that is within 25 nautical miles from the airport where the student pilot normally receives training, provided -

    1. An authorized instructor has given the student pilot flight training at the other airport, and that training includes flight in both directions over the route, entering and exiting the traffic pattern, and takeoffs and landings at the other airport;

    2. The authorized instructor who gave the training endorses the student pilot’s logbook authorizing the flight;

    3. The student pilot has a solo flight endorsement in accordance with § 61.87 of this part;

    4. The authorized instructor has determined that the student pilot is proficient to make the flight; and

    5. The purpose of the flight is to practice takeoffs and landings at that other airport.

61.93© (1 and 2) Solo cross-country flight#

Endorsements for solo cross-country flights. Except as specified in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, a student pilot must have the endorsements prescribed in this paragraph for each cross-country flight:

  1. A student pilot must have a solo cross-country endorsement from the authorized instructor who conducted the training that is placed in that person’s logbook for the specific category of aircraft to be flown.

  2. A student pilot must have a solo cross-country endorsement from an authorized instructor that is placed in that person’s logbook for the specific make and model of aircraft to be flown.

61.93© (3) Solo cross-country flight (for each flight)#

For each cross-country flight, the authorized instructor who reviews the cross-country planning must make an endorsement in the person’s logbook after reviewing that person’s cross-country planning, as specified in paragraph (d) of this section. The endorsement must -

  1. Specify the make and model of aircraft to be flown;

  2. State that the student’s preflight planning and preparation is correct and that the student is prepared to make the flight safely under the known conditions; and

  3. State that any limitations required by the student’s authorized instructor are met.