Overview
This lecture reviews essential FAA regulations and requirements for private pilot certification, including eligibility, required documents, flight experience, and operational rules.
Eligibility & Certification Requirements
- Minimum age for Private Pilot Certificate: 17 years.
- Minimum age to solo an aircraft: 16 years.
- Must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
- Must hold at least a third-class medical certificate.
- Third-class medical is valid for 60 months if under 40, 24 months if 40 or older.
- Minimum total flight time: 40 hours, including 20 hours with an instructor and 10 hours solo.
- Must complete a solo cross-country flight of at least 150 NM with full-stop landings at 3 points; one leg ≥ 50 NM.
- Night training: 3 hours, including a cross-country >100 NM and 10 night takeoffs/landings.
- Written knowledge and practical test endorsements from an instructor are required.
- Knowledge test endorsement valid for 24 months.
Maintaining Pilot Privileges
- Flight review required every 24 months to act as PIC (Pilot in Command).
- Must log 3 takeoffs/landings in the previous 90 days for daytime passenger carriage.
- For night passenger carriage: 3 full-stop takeoffs/landings at night in last 90 days.
Operational & Safety Rules
- Pilots and passengers must wear seatbelts during taxi, takeoff, and landing.
- Required preflight action: review all available flight information.
- Minimum safe altitude: 1,000 ft over congested, 500 ft non-congested areas; lower only over open water/sparsely populated areas when safe.
- Documents required onboard: Airworthiness Certificate, Registration, Radio License (if required), Operating Handbook, Weight & Balance.
- The PIC is responsible for airworthiness and safe flight condition.
Airspace & Equipment Requirements
- Position lights required sunset to sunrise; anti-collision lights on during operations if equipped.
- VFR day fuel: enough for destination + 30 min; VFR night: destination + 45 min.
- Minimum visibility for Class G (below 1,200' AGL day): 1 SM, clear of clouds.
- VFR minimums for Class E (below 10,000' MSL): 3 SM visibility, standard cloud clearance.
- Entering Class C: two-way radio & Mode C transponder; Class B: ATC clearance & Mode C.
- Speed limit below 10,000' MSL: 250 knots; under Class B: 200 knots.
Maintenance & Inspection
- ELT required; replace ELT battery after 1 hour use or 50% battery life.
- Transponder and pitot-static systems inspected every 24 months.
- Aircraft must meet type design, be safe, and comply with Airworthiness Directives (ADs).
- Private pilots may perform preventive maintenance (see Part 43 Appendix A).
Key Terms & Definitions
- PIC (Pilot in Command) — the person responsible for the safe operation of the aircraft.
- Third-class medical certificate — a medical exam for private pilots, valid 24–60 months by age.
- ELT (Emergency Locator Transmitter) — device to aid search and rescue.
- VFR (Visual Flight Rules) — flying by sight with weather minimums.
- Mode C transponder — aircraft equipment that reports altitude and identity to ATC.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review 14 CFR Parts 61 and 91 for further regulatory details.
- Ensure endorsements and logbook are up to date before tests or solo flights.
- Complete required flight reviews and maintain currency for carrying passengers.