|
STUDENT PILOT GUIDE
2006 (Change 1, February 2016)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION
Flight Standards Service
|
|
Medical Requirements
Pilots, except those who fly gliders or free air balloons,
must possess a valid medical certificate in order to exercise
the privileges of their airman certificates. Sport pilots
must possess either a valid third-class medical certificate
or a valid driver’s license. The periodic medical examination
required for medical certification is conducted by designated
aviation medical examiners, who are physicians with a special
interest in aviation safety and have training in aviation
medicine. The standards for medical certification are contained
in 14 CFR part 67. The requirements for obtaining medical
certification are contained in 14 CFR part 61.
Prior to beginning flight training, a flight instructor
should interview you about any health conditions and determine
your goal as a pilot. Good advice would be to obtain the
class of medical certificate required, for the certificate
level you ultimately want, before beginning flight training.
Finding out immediately whether you are medically qualified
could save time and money.
If you do have physical limitations, such as impaired vision,
loss of a limb, or hearing impairment it is possible you
could be issued a medical certificate valid for “Student
Pilot Privileges Only.” This kind of medical certificate
will allow you to continue flight training and to prepare
for the pilot certification practical test. During training,
flight instructors should ensure that you can safely perform
all required TASKs that pertain to the required standards.
Special devices may be necessary to allow you to manipulate
the flight controls. If you are unable to perform certain
TASKs, you may
have a limitation placed on your pilot certificate. For
example, hearing impairment would require the limitation
“Not Valid for Flight Requiring the Use of Radio.”
Another limitation may allow the pilot to only operate a
certain make and model airplane, such as one without rudder
pedals.
*NOTE: For your convenience, we have
included the medical related questions for the "Most
Frequently Asked Questions" section near the end of
this handbook, here as well.
|
MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED
QUESTIONS
Student Pilot Requirements: Medical and Student Pilot
Certificates
1. Q: When do I need a student pilot certificate?
2. Q: How do I obtain a student pilot certificate?
| A: An application for a student pilot
certificate may be processed by an FAA Inspector or
Technician, an FAA- Designated Pilot Examiner, a Certificated
Flight Instructor, or an Airman Certification Representative
(ACR) associated with a part 141 flight school. The
authorized person will submit the application to the
Airman Certification Branch in Oklahoma City, OK.
Once the application is processed, the student pilot
certificate will be mailed to the address provided
on the application. The applicant will receive the
student pilot certificate by mail at the address provided
on the application. |
3. Q: If I only want to be a sport pilot how do I obtain
a student pilot certificate?
| A: Sport pilot applicants who intend
to fly without attaining a medical, but who will fly
on the basis of a valid driver's license will make
application in the same manner as an applicant for
any other certificate. |
4. Q: If I have had a medical certificate denied can I just
get a sport pilot certificate and fly on the basis of my
driver's license?
| A: No, The only way to fly as a sport
pilot on the basis of a driver's license in lieu of
a medical certificate is if your last FAA-medical
was not denied. |
5. Q: Where can I get more information about the sport pilot
arena?
| A: Sport pilot enthusiasts may find
information on the FAA's website. |
6. Q: What are the requirements for a student pilot certificate?
A: To be eligible for a student pilot
certificate, a person must:
(1) be at least 16 years of age, except for the operation
of a glider or balloon, in which case the applicant
must be at least 14 years of age; and
(2) be able to read, speak, write, and understand
the English language. |
7. Q: How long is my student pilot certificate valid?
| A: The student pilot certificate
are no longer issued with an expiration date. Any
previously issued student pilot certificates will
remain valid until the expiration date on the certificate. |
8. Q: How long is my third-class medical certificate valid?
| A: A third-class medical certificate
is valid for 60 months if you haven't reached your
40th birthday by the issue date. If issued after age
40, it is valid for 24 months. |
9. Q: Can my student pilot certificate be renewed?
| A: No. However, there is no longer
an expiration date for a student pilot certificate.
If a student pilot still has a paper certificate,
the student may submit an application can to be issued
a new one. |
10. Q: Now that the plastic student pilot certificate is
being issued, how will my instructor endorse me for solo
and cross country flights??
| A: All required endorsements from
an authorized instructor are now required to be entered
into the student pilot's logbook. |
11. Q: If I solo in more than one make and model aircraft,
must I have an endorsement for each?
| A: Yes. Your flight instructor must
make this endorsement prior to the first solo flight
in each make and model aircraft in your pilot logbook. |
12. Q: Does the endorsement to solo permit me to make solo
cross-country flights?
| A: No. Your flight instructor must
specifically endorse your logbook to permit cross-country
flights. |
13. Q: Must I carry my student pilot certificate when I
am piloting an aircraft in solo flight?
| A: Yes. The certificate should be
in your physical possession or readily accessible. |
14. Q: Is there a charge for the student pilot certificate?
| A: When the student pilot certificate
application is processed by a FSDO there is no charge.
An FAA-Designated Pilot Examiner, a Certified Flight
Instructor, and an Airman Certification Representative
associated with a part 141 flight school are allowed
to charge a reasonable fee for processing the application
for student pilot certificates, and processing the
necessary reports.. |
15. Q: When do I need a medical certificate?
| A: Except for sport pilot applicants,
you will need a medical certificate prior to solo
flight if you are operating an airplane, helicopter,
gyroplane, or airship. It is suggested you obtain
your medical certificate prior to beginning flight
training. This will assure you are aware of any condition
that could prevent you from obtaining a medical certificate
prior to making a financial investment in flight training. |
16. Q: If required, how do I get a medical certificate?
| A: By passing a physical examination
administered by a doctor who is an FAA-Authorized
Aviation Medical Examiner. |
17. Q: Where do I get my medical certificate?
| A: From any FAA-Authorized Aviation
Medical Examiner. There are numerous doctors who are
FAA-Authorized Aviation Medical Examiners. |
18. Q: Where can I get a list of FAA-Authorized Aviation
Medical Examiners?
| A: The FAA lists a directory on the
Internet on the Civil Aeromedical Institute's website. |
19. Q: When required, what class of medical certificate
must a student pilot have?
| A: Third-class, although any class
will suffice. Medical certificates are designated
as first-class, second-class, or third-class. Generally,
the first-class is designed for the airline transport
pilot; the second-class for the commercial pilot;
and the third-class for the student, recreational,
and private pilot. |
20. Q: If I have a physical disability, is there any provision
for obtaining a medical certificate?
| A: Yes. Medical certificates can
be issued in many cases where physical disabilities
are involved. Depending upon the certificate held
and the nature of the disability, operating limitations
may be imposed. If you have any questions, contact
an FAA-Authorized Aviation Medical Examiner prior
to beginning flight training. |
21. Q: Must I have my medical certificate, when I am piloting
an aircraft in solo flight?
| A: Yes. The certificate should be
in your physical possession or readily accessible. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
|
|
