Pilot Qualification
Objective
Just as we determine the airworthiness of the airplane, we need to evaluate the pilot's qualifications to fly legally and safely.
Motivation
All pilots need to understand their legal requirements before piloting an aircraft.
Timing
45 minutes
Format
Elements
- Part 61 - Pilot Recency and Certification
- Endorsements
- ACS and PTS
- 90-Day Currency (61.57) 90-Day Currency - Night (61.57)
- Student Pilots Overview - 61 Subpart C
- Private Pilots Overview - 61 Subpart E
- Private Pilot Aeronautical Experience - 61 Subpart E
- Private Pilot Limitations - 61 Subpart E
- Commercial Pilots Overview - 61 Subpart F
- Commercial Pilots Aeronautical Experience
- Sport Pilots Overview - 61 Subpart J
- 61.53 - Temporary Disqualification
- Documents Pilots Must Possess To Fly (61.3)
- Proficiency Versus Currency
- Establishing Personal Minimums
- Unfamiliar Aircraft: Legal vs Safe
Questions
- You regularly train in a G1000-equipped Cessna 182, but your friend asks you to ferry his airplane to another airport. You plan to pay for all operating expenses. His airplane is a steam-gauge Cessna 172.
- What are your thoughts?
- You got a Class II medical on March 25th, 2025, before your 60th birthday.
- What is the latest date at which you can exercise your commercial pilot privileges?
- What about private pilot privileges?
- A friend, who's never flown before, approaches you and says he wants to being flight training. He read online that you don't need a medical anymore and plans to fly under BasicMed.
- What would you tell him?
- Are you able to fly at night with a sport pilot certificate? How about a recreational pilot certificate?
- You completed a flight review on September 4th, 2025. When will you be due for another flight review?
- What's one difference between the ACS and the PTS?