Pilot Qualifications

Private pilot privileges and limitations

14 CFR Part 61.113 states

1. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) through (h) of this section, no person who holds a private pilot certificate may act as pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire; nor may that person, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in command of an aircraft.

2. A private pilot may, for compensation or hire, act as pilot in command of an aircraft in connection with any business or employment if:

   1. The flight is only incidental to that business or employment; and

   2. The aircraft does not carry passengers or property for compensation or hire.

3. A private pilot may not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating expenses of a flight with passengers, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees.

4. A private pilot may act as pilot in command of a charitable, nonprofit, or community event flight described in § 91.146, if the sponsor and pilot comply with the requirements of § 91.146.

5. A private pilot may be reimbursed for aircraft operating expenses that are directly related to search and location operations, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees, and the operation is sanctioned and under the direction and control of:

   1. A local, State, or Federal agency; or

   2. An organization that conducts search and location operations.

6. A private pilot who is an aircraft salesman and who has at least 200 hours of logged flight time may demonstrate an aircraft in flight to a prospective buyer.

7. A private pilot who meets the requirements of § 61.69 may act as a pilot in command of an aircraft towing a glider or unpowered ultralight vehicle.

8. A private pilot may act as pilot in command for the purpose of conducting a production flight test in a light-sport aircraft intended for certification in the light-sport category under § 21.190 of this chapter, provided that -

   1. The aircraft is a powered parachute or a weight-shift-control aircraft;

   2. The person has at least 100 hours of pilot-in-command time in the category and class of aircraft flown; and

   3. The person is familiar with the processes and procedures applicable to the conduct of production flight testing, to include operations conducted under a special flight permit and any associated operating limitations.

9. A private pilot may act as pilot in command of an aircraft without holding a medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter provided the pilot holds a valid U.S. driver’s license, meets the requirements of § 61.23©(3), and complies with this section and all of the following conditions and limitations:

   1. The aircraft is authorized to carry not more than 6 occupants, has a maximum takeoff weight of not more than 6,000 pounds, and is operated with no more than five passengers on board; and

   2. The flight, including each portion of the flight, is not carried out -

      1. At an altitude that is more than 18,000 feet above mean sea level;

      2. Outside the United States unless authorized by the country in which the flight is conducted; or

      3. At an indicated airspeed exceeding 250 knots; and

   3. The pilot has available in his or her logbook -

      1. The completed medical examination checklist required under § 68.7 of this chapter; and

      2. The certificate of course completion required under § 61.23©(3).

Required documents & medical certificate

For student pilots, for any solo flight, you must have in your possession:

• Student pilot certificate

• Photo ID

• Medical certificate

• Current logbook endorsement

Once a full fledged pilot, the logbook endorsement is no longer necessary.

Logbook & flight records

It is not a legal requirement to log every flight in a logbook, but it is a legal requirement to be current and have valid endorsements.

Currency requirements vs proficiency

Currency is the documented verification that you meet the legal requirements to be able to fly (for example, three landings to a full stop in the preceding 90 days before flying passengers at night). It means that you have met the requirements to act as a pilot in command of an aircraft within a certain time period.

Proficiency is more subjective, and is your responsibility to decide whether you’ve mastered the required skills for the safe operation of the flight. To become proficient, you should practice your skills in an aircraft.

1. Day Currency To carry passengers, you need to log 3 takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days. Remember, this to applies to each aircraft category, class and type.

2. Night Currency FAR 61.57 requires that in the preceding 90 days, you’ve logged 3 takeoffs and landings to a full stop from the time between one hour after sunset to one hour before sunrise, if you want to carry passengers at night.

3. Instrument Currency If you have your instrument rating, you need to fly and log at least 6 instrument approaches, as well as holding, tracking and intercepting with the 6 calendar months preceding the month of your flight.

4. Medical FAR 61.23 outlines medical durations. Any medical certificate is valid for 60 months unless you’re over 40 years old, in which case it’s valid for 24 months. The difference in valid times, according to 61.23, depends on what sort of operation you use the medical for. As an ATP, for instance, a Class 1 may only be valid for 6 or 12 months. But no matter what, for either 60 or 24 months, you will have the privileges specified under a 3rd class medical regardless of which class you hold.

5. Flight Review FAR 61.56 requires each pilot certificate holder to complete a flight review every 24 calendar months (with some exceptions).

Personal minimums & unfamiliar aircraft

It’s a good idea (a must, really) to maintain personal minimums once you’re no longer legally limited by restrictions specified by your flight instructor. This will help you make better, clear-cut go/no-go decisions in questionable situations. For example, personal minimums on max wind speed, max crosswind speed, or minimum visibility can help keep you safer. Having personal minimums can also help you explain to potentially harried passengers that you have strict rules for yourself that you won’t violate just for convenience’s sake.

Fitness to fly & IMSAFE

Letter	Abbreviation	Description
I	Illness	Are you suffering from any illness which might affect you in flight?
M	Medication	Are you currently taking any over/under-the-counter drugs which may affect your decision making, reaction times, etc.?
S	Stress	Are there any psychologic pressures or other factors in your life which may distract you or cloud your judgment?
A	Alcohol	No consumption 8 hours prior to flight, and BAC less than 0.04, but be smart even if your under limits and consider any alcohol within the last 8 to 24 hours.
F	Fatigue	Have you gotten enough consistent sleep? Nutrition?
E	Emotion	Have you recovered from an extremely upsetting events, such as the death of a family member?