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STUDENT PILOT GUIDE
2006 (Change 1, February 2016)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION (FAA)
FOREWORD
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) invites you to join the general aviation community of pilots. It is a community of civil aviation operations other than those air carriers holding a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. General aviation makes up approximately 96 percent of U.S. aircraft and 60 percent of U.S. flight hours flown. General aviation is often misunderstood as only small, propeller-driven aircraft. A large jet or cargo plane operated under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91 can be a general aviation aircraft.

This publication is intended to serve as a guide for prospective student pilots and for those already engaged in flight training. This guide presents in “how to” fashion, general procedures for obtaining FAA student pilot, sport pilot, recreational pilot, and private pilot certificates.

There are many references to FAA Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) and through the FSDOs, contact is maintained between the FAA and the general aviation public. The FAA inspectors at your local FSDO are professionally trained and are prepared to advise and assist you toward reaching your goal as a pilot.
FAA-H-8083-27A supersedes FAA-H-8083-27, Student Pilot Guide, dated 1999.

This handbook is also available for download, in pdf format, from the Regulatory Support Division’s web site.


This handbook is published by the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Aviation Administration, Airman Testing Standards Branch, AFS-630, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082.

Comments regarding this publication should be sent, in e-mail form. We urge you to visit your local FSDO and feel free to ask for advice on any matters relating to general aviation.

Welcome to aviation.


Joseph K. Tintera, Manager,
Regulatory Support Division
Flight Standards Service
   
   
<< Back - PAGE 1 -  PAGE 2  >>
Table of Contents
   
Forward

Role of the FAA
Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)

   
  
Page 3 Choosing a Flight School
   
  
The Role of the Instructor
What Flight Training Requires
Instructor and Student Relationship
   
  
Medical Requirements
   
  
Knowledge Tests
Preparing to Study for the Knowledge Test
Study Materials
Suggested Study Materials
How to Obtain Study Materials
How to Study for the Knowledge Test
Study Habits
   
 

     
   
 
When to Take the Knowledge Test
Where to Take the Knowledge Test
The Knowledge Test Content and Format
Practical Test Standards
   
 
   
 
   
 
Most Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
   
 
Student Pilot Flight Training
   
 
Student Pilot Requirements: Medical and Student Pilot Certificates
   
 
Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, and Private Pilot Knowledge Tests
   
 
Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, and Private Pilot Practical Tests