Skip to main content

Part 61 D: Recreational Pilots

Eligibility (61.96)​

  • Must be 17 years old
  • Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
  • Pass a knowledge test
  • Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of 61.99

Knowledge Test (61.97)​

  • Student must receive and log ground training complete a home-study course on the following areas:
    • Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations
    • Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board
    • Use of the applicable portions of the AIM and FAA advisory circulars
    • Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage with the aid of a magnetic compass
    • Critical weather situations, windshear avoidance, and the weather reports and forecasts
    • Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, collision avoidance, wake turbulence
    • Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance
    • Weight and balance computations
    • Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems
    • Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques, if applying for an airplane single-engine rating
    • Aeronautical decision making and judgment and
    • Preflight action that includes—
      • runway lengths, takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements
      • HAlternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.

Flight proficiency requirements (61.98)​

  • Preflight preparation
  • Preflight procedures
  • Airport operations
  • Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds
  • Performance maneuvers
  • Ground reference maneuvers
  • Navigation
  • Slow flight and stalls
  • Emergency operations
  • Postflight procedures

Aeronautical experience (61.99)​

  • 15 hours of flight training
  • 2 hours flight training to an airport > 25nm away
  • 3 hours of training before the practical test
  • 3 hours solo flight time

Privileges and Limitations (61.101)​

  • Aircraft limitations
    • No more than 180 horsepower
    • No more than 4 seats
    • No retractable landing gear
    • No multi-engine airplanes
    • Note: Under the supervision of an instructor for the pursuit of a rating, they can fly higher power/more complex airplanes
  • Can't carry more than 1 passengers
  • No flight sunset to sunrise
  • Must share expenses on pro-rata basis
  • No flight above 10,000' MSL or 2000' AGL, which ever is higher
  • Can't fly outside the US
  • Can fly beyond 50nm without
  • Require an endorsement for flying in Class B, C, or D airspace
    • The "dirty dozen" Class B airports will require a private pilot certificate
  • Until you have 400 hours of PIC time, you need an endorsement from a CFI every 180 days

PTS​

Practical Test Standards for Airplane Category and Rotorcraft Category