CFI Practical Test Standards: Preflight Preparation
Certificates and Documents
Part 61: Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors
Read the whole thing at the National Archives website.
Subpart A: General
Certificates
Types of certificates
Part 61 covers pilot, flight instructor, and ground instructor certificates.
These certificates include ratings. Ratings refer to aircraft class (airplane, rotocraft, glider, lighter-than-air, etc). Ratings also refer to category (single-engine land, multi-engine sea, etc.). The instrument rating is another type of rating on a certificate, and are specific to airplane, helicopter, and powered-lift.
Student Pilot certificates do not have ratings. Prior to April 1, 2016, they were issued with medical certificates and expired after 24 or 60 calendar months. After April 1, 2016, they do not expire and are surrendered upon completion of a higher certification.
Private Pilot and Commercial Pilot certificates do not expire. However, Flight Instructor certificates expire every 24 calendar months. Several options exist to renew it.
Medical certificates
Medical certificates are required for pilots when exercising privileges. ATPs must have first-class medicals. Commercial Pilots must have second-class medicals. Private pilots, flight instructors, and required crew-members must have third-class medicals.
A third-class medical is required to take an ATP, commercial, private, or CFI practical test. Examiners also must hold a third-class medical. A medical is not required for practical tests in a glider, balloon, simulator, or FTD.
A CFI is not required to have a medical if they are not acting as PIC or a required crew-member.
Lost or destroyed certificates
If a pilot or medical certificate, or a knowledge test report, is lost or destroyed, a report is to be made by letter to the DOT/FAA. A temporary certificate issued is good for up to 60 days.
Type ratings
Type ratings are required for "large aircraft," turbojet-powered airplanes, and other specified aircraft.
Endorsements
A complex endorsement requires the pilot to receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor in a complex airplane or simulator/FTD, and to be found proficient. (This does not apply to pilots who have logged complex time prior to Aug. 4, 1997.)
A high-performance endorsement requires the pilot to receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor in a high-performance airplane or simulator/FTD, and to be found proficient. (This does not apply to pilots who have logged complex time prior to Aug. 4, 1997.)
A tailwheel endorsement requires the pilot to receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor in a tailwheel airplane. Pilots must be found proficient in normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings, wheel landings, , and go-around procedures.
Knowledge & practical tests
In order to take a knowledge test (other than ATP), the applicant must obtain an endorsement from an authorized instructor. The instructor must certify:
An authorized instructor can verify a home-study course via a certificate of completion from a professional school or industry-provided resource.
An authorized instructor may also certify that the applicant is prepared based on ground training.
An authorized instructor may also certify a student's individually developed home-study course.
In order to proceed to a practical test, an applicant must:
On a practical test, In addition to ACS/PTS, an examiner will judge the applicant's:
After a failed test, an applicant may only re-apply after receiving necessary training from an authorized instructor, and an endorsement from an instructor. (There is no time restriction — applicants can complete a failed practical test on the same day.)
Logging time
Flight time must be logged for all flight experience used to meet the requirements of a certificate, rating, or flight review. Time also must be logged for all flight experience used to meet recency requirements.
Instrument time can only be logged when the pilot is flying only by reference to instruments in actual or simulated IMC. Instructors may only log instrument time when the instruction is done in actual IMC. (If IFR instruction is done in simulated IMC, the instructor will log VFR time.)
If logging instrument time to meet recency requirements, the pilot must log instrument approaches and types, as well as the name of the safety pilot (if required).
A simulator/FTD may be used for instrument recency, provided an instructor observes the time and signs the pilot's logbook. The instructor will verify time and content of the training session.
"Training time" must be endorsed by an instructor with a description, length, signature, certificate number, and expiration date.
Flight Reviews & Recency of Experience
Flight reviews consist of one hour of ground instruction and one hour of flight instruction.
A flight review includes a review of Part 91, as well as maneuvers and procedures that the CFI deems necessary for the pilot to demonstrate safe operations within their pilot certificate privileges.
Flight reviews are not practical tests. There is no "failed" flight review. If a flight review is not completed, the instructor should log the flight as training time and recommend additional instruction in the deficient areas.
When conducting a flight review, the instructor should assess the pilot's type of aircraft flown, nature of operations, and flight experience, including recent experience.
Pilots are not required to complete a flight review upon completion of a practical test. Instructors who complete a FIRC are not required to complete the ground portion of a flight review.
Student pilots in training with a solo endorsement are not required to complete flight reviews.
If taking passengers, pilots must complete three takeoffs and landings within the preceding 90 days. If taking passengers at night, three takeoffs/landings must be completed at night within the preceding 90 days.
Subpart B: Aircraft Ratings and Pilot Authorizations
Ratings & Certifications
An additional category rating requires completion of training, required aeronautical experience, a training record or endorsement, and a practical test. A knowledge test typically is not required.
An additional class rating requires a training record or endorsement, and a practical test. A knowledge test typically is not required.
Instrument rating
A pilot adding an instrument rating to a certificate must:
A pilot adding an instrument rating must receive aeronautical knowlege instruction from an instructor or home-study course with several proscribed topics.
To be eligible for an instrument rating practical test, a pilot must have received training in several proscribed areas.
Subpart C: Student Pilots
General requirements
Student pilots must be 16 for the operation of all aircraft other than a glider or balloon. For the later two, student pilots must be 14.
Student pilots must read, write, speak, and understand English.
Student pilots can obtain a Student Pilot certificate by completing FAA Form 8710. This form can then be submitted to:
Solo endorsements
Student pilots are not permitted to solo unless they demonstrate satisfactory aeronautical knowledge on a knowledge test. The test must cover:
The pre-solo test must be administered by the instructor, and the instructor must review incorrect answers with the student before the solo flight.
Student pilots are not permitted to solo until s/he has:
Prior to solo, student pilots (single-engine airplane) must receive and log flight training for:
While private pilot students are not required to log solo night hours before a practical test, they can be endorsed to solo at night (this may be to permit flight training in locations where there is very little daylight at certain times of year.) In addition to standard pre-solo flight training, the student also must be trained in navigation procedures at night in the vicinity of the training airport.
Student pilots may not fly on a solo endorsement unless they have an endorsement from an instructor who has instructed the student in the make-and-model aircraft within 90 days prior to the solo flight.
Student pilots may not:
Student pilots may not receive a cross-country endorsement unless the have received flight training in:
The various cross-country endorsements include:
Students may not fly solo-cross country unless the instructor determines:
Student pilots are permitted to make repeated solo cross-country flights, provided that:
Student pilots are not permitted to solo in Class B airspace unless:
Subpart D: Recreational Pilots
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Subpart E: Private Pilots
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Subpart F: Commercial Pilots
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The training requirements for the issuance of a recreational, private, and commercial pilot certificate
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The privileges and limitations of pilot certificates and ratings at recreational, private, and commercial levels
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Class and duration of medical certificates
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Recent pilot flight experience requirements
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Required entries in pilot logbook or flight record
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Practical Test Standards: Flight Instructor
III. Preflight Preparation
Task A: Certificates and Documents
References
Objective: To determine that the applicant exhibits instructional knowledge of the elements related to certificates and documents by describing:
Flight Instructor Test Questions
Flight Instruction
Training requirements
Prior to solo flight, a student must have received flight instruction in ground reference maneuvers. (61.87)
— Prior to solo, a student must have received and logged instruction in the maneuvers and procedures listed in paragraphs (d) through (j) of 61.87.
Your student is not interested in flying at night. May he/she take the practical test for a private pilot certificate without any night flight training? No. Your student must have logged at least 3 hours of night flight training in order to be issued a certificate.
Your student, who is preparing for a private pilot practical test in a single-engine airplane, received 3.5 hours of cross-country flight training, including flights of 1.9 hours, 1.0 hours, and .6 hours. Is your student eligible to take the practical test? Yes.
What night flight training is required for an unrestricted private pilot certificate with an airplane rating? 3 hours to include 10 takeoffs and 10 landings and one cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles.
—An applicant for a private pilot certificate with an airplane rating must have 3 hours of night flight training that includes one cross-country flight of over 100 NM, and 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop at an airport, with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern.
Your student has received 3.0 hours of night flight training including five takeoffs and landings. Is your student eligible to take the private pilot practical test? No.
—The applicant must have 10 takeoffs and 10 landings at night, as well as a night cross-country of over 100 NM.
With respect to day cross-country experience requirements, a private pilot-airplane application must have a minimum of 3 hours dual and 5 hours solo.
Can any of a private pilot's airplane flight training apply to meet requirements for adding a helicopter rating? Some of the airplane training will apply to helicopter experience.
—To add a helicopter rating to a private pilot certificate, the applicant must have 20 hours of flight training from a helicopter instructor, including hours logged cross-country, night, and in preparation for the flight test.
A student has a private pilot certificate with an airplane rating. Does s/he need to fulfill all of the experience requirements for an initial private pilot certificate with a helicopter rating to add a helicopter rating to his/her certificate? No. Some of the dual flight training experience will apply toward the helicopter requirements.
If all increments for a practical test for a certificate or rating are not completed on one date, all remaining increments must be satisfactorily completed no later than 60 days from the date of the test. (61.43)
To be eligible for a practical test under 14 CFR Part 61, an applicant must have passed the appropriate knowledge test (when required) within the preceding 24 calendar months. (61.39)
If all increments for a practical test for a certificate or rating are not completed on one date, all remaining increments must be satisfactorily completed no later than 60 days from the date of the test. (61.43)
A written statement from an authorized instructor certifying that an applicant has received the required training in preparation for a practical test must be dated within what period of time preceding the date of application? 2 calendar months. (61.39)
What is one requirement for an aircraft furnished for a practical test? Must have no prescribed operating limitations that prohibit its use in any required area of operation. (61.45)
— Dual controls are not necessary if the examiner determines the test can be conducted safely without them.
Your student took a practical test for a pilot certificate on January 10 and failed to meet standards. After being retested on January 13 and failing to meet standards again, when is your student eligible to re-test? January 13. (61.49)
— Trick question. There is no secondary time limit. The test may be retaken after the necessary training and endorsement.
An applicant has failed a knowledge test for the second time. With training and an endorsement from an authorized instructor, when may the applicant apply for a re-test? Immediately. (61.49)
An applicant who fails a practical test for the second time may apply for retesting after receiving the necessary instruction and an endorsement from an authorized instructor who gave the training. (61.49)
A student fails his/her practical exam on his/her first attempt. Then s/he fails the test on January 13. When is the earliest s/he can take the test again? Immediately. (61.49)
A flight review will consist of a minimum of 1 hour ground training and 1 hour flight training. (61.56)
Medical certificates
An applicant who holds a Commercial Pilot Certificate with ASEL ratings is seeking a MEL rating at the commercial level. On August 1, 2020, the applicant shows you a second class medical dated January 2, 2019. May the applicant take the practical test? Yes, but at the private pilot skill level. (61.39)
— A second-class medical certificate is required for commercial privileges. Only a third-class medical is required when adding a rating to an existing certificate.
Flight Instructors
A person whose Flight Instructor Certificate has been suspended may not apply for any rating to be added to that Certificate during the period of suspension. (61.13)
What is the duration of a Flight Instructor Certificate? 24 months after the month in which it was issued or renewed. (61.19)
During any 24 consecutive hours, an instructor is limited to how many hours of flight training? 8 hours. (61.195, 61.415)
The holder of an expired Flight Instructor Certificate may exchange that certificate for a new one by passing the appropriate practical test. (61.199, 61.405)
— A flight test is required after a flight instructor certificate has expired.
A Flight Instructor Certificate may be renewed by successfully completing a flight instructor refresher course within 3 calendar months prior to renewal. (61.197)
Certain flight training is required for the issuance of a certificate. If that instruction is in a helicopter or multi-engine airplane, the instructor is required to have at least 5 hours of experience as pilot in command in the make and model of the aircraft involved. (61.195)
The minimum pilot-in-command time requirement for a flight instructor with multi-engine privileges to give training to a student for a multi-engine rating is 5 hours in the make and model of aircraft in which training is to be given. (61.195)
What requirements must an authorized instructor meet in order to prepare an applicant for an initial Flight Instructor Certificate? Held a Flight Instructor Certificate for at least 24 months and given a minimum of 200 hours of flight training. (61.195)
A flight instructor who applies for an additional rating on that certificate must have a minimum of how many hours as pilot in command in the category and class of aircraft appropriate to the rating sought? 15. (61.183)
Which training time must be certified by the instructor from whom it was received? All flight training, flight simulator training, and ground training. (61.51)
— Training and experience used to meet the requirements of a certificate, rating, or flight review/recent flight experience must be shown by a reliable record. The logging of other flight time is not required.
A flight instructor who has not satisfactorily accomplished a flight review or passed a required proficiency check within the prescribed time is not authorized to fly solo. (61.56)
To act as pilot in command of an airplane that has more than 200 horsepower, a person holding a Private or Commercial Pilot Certificate is required to receive ground and flight training in an airplane that has more than 200 horsepower. (61.31)
To act as pilot in command of an airplane with retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable propeller, a person holding a Private or Commercial Pilot Certificate is required to receive ground and flight training in such an airplane, and obtain a logbook endorsement of proficiency. (61.31)
No person may act as pilot in command of a pressurized airplane with a service ceiling or maximum operating altitude, whichever is lower, above 25,000 feet unless that person has received ground and flight training in high-altitude operations and a logbook endorsement certifying the training. (61.31)
What minimum documentation is required to take an FAA knowledge test for any flight instructor rating? Proper identification. (61.35)
A written statement from an authorized instructor certifying that an applicant has received the required training in preparation for a practical test must be dated within how many days preceding the date of application? 60 days. (61.39)
A flight instructor applicant must demonstrate spins in an airplane or glider when being retested for deficiencies in instructional proficiency on stall awareness or spins demonstrated during an initial test. (61.49)
Student pilot certificate applications may be accepted by an FAA inspector, CFI, ACR, or DPE. (xx)
Who is responsible for administering the required knowledge test to a student prior to solo flight? The student's authorized instructor. (61.87)
What subjects must be covered on the presolo knowledge test? Applicable regulations, flight characteristics, and operational limitations of make and model aircraft to be flown. (61.87)
What documents must a flight instructor have on board when conducting instruction for a private pilot applicant? Pilot certificate, flight instructor certificate, medical certificate. (61.3)
Ground Instructors
The holder of a Ground Instructor Certificate with a basic rating is authorized to provide ground training required for all aeronautical knowledge areas for a recreational for private pilot certificate. (61.215)
The holder of a Ground Instructor Certificate with an advanced rating is authorized to provide ground training in aeronautical knowledge areas for any pilot certificate or rating (except the instrument rating). (61.215)
The holder of a Ground Instructor Certificate with an advanced rating is authorized to provide ground training required for any flight review. (61.215)
The holder of a Ground Instructor Certificate may not exercise the privileges of that certificate may not exercise the privileges of that certificate unless that person has served as a ground instructor within the preceding 12 months. (61.217)
— The person may also receive an endorsement from an authorized flight or ground instructor certifying that the person has demonstrated satisfactory proficiency in the subject areas required for a ground instructor.
Commercial/ATP
A Second-Class Medical Certificate issued January 18 of this year will expire January 31 of next year for commercial pilot privileges. (61.23)
If a Second-Class Medical Certificate was issued to a commercial pilot 13 months ago, during the next 11 months this pilot may act as pilot in command and carry passengers or property, but not for compensation or hire. (61.23)
What is the minimum age required to be eligible for a commercial pilot certificate? 18.
To be eligible for a commercial pilot certificate, one of the valid requirements is for the applicant to hold at least a valid third-class medical certificate.
—A second-class medical certificate is required to exercise the privileges of a commercial pilot certificate. A third-class medical certificate is required for all checkrides (except Sport Pilot).
As a pilot, what is the minimum flight time in an aircraft an applicant must have for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane rating? 200 hours.
—Although 250 hours total time required, up to 50 may be instruction in a simulator. Sort of a trick question.
An applicant for a commercial pilot certificate with ASEL ratings presents a logbook with 254 hours total time. Of that, 20 hours are logged as SIC in single-engine airplanes certificated for single-pilot operations. You determine this time was accumulated as a safety pilot with another pilot who was flying "under the hood." Does the applicant have enough total time to be eligible for the practical test? Yes.
—Safety pilot time counts toward the flight hours requirement of the certificate.
Under FAR Part 61, a commercial pilot-airplane applicant is required to have a minimum of how much cross-country experience? 50 hours.
What limitation is imposed on a newly certificated commercial airplane pilot if that person does not hold an instrument pilot rating? The carrying of passengers for hire on cross-county flights is limited to 50 NM or at night is prohibited.
A flight review is not required if the pilot has completed, within the time specified, a pilot proficiency check conducted by the FAA. (61.56)
A flight review will consist of a minimum of 1 hour ground training and 1 hour flight training. (61.56)
What flight time must be recorded by a pilot exercising the privileges of a commercial certificate? Only the flight time necessary to meet the recent flight experience requirements. (61.51)
What recent flight experience must be met before a commercial airplane pilot may fly solo in an airplane? Satisfactorily accomplished a flight review in any aircraft for which rated in the preceding 24 calendar months. (61.56)
Which of the following normally requires the pilot in command to hold a type rating? Any turbojet-powered aircraft. (61.31)
What restriction is imposed regarding flight instruction of other pilots in air transportation service by an airline transport pilot? 36 hours in any 7-day period. (61.167)
— This is a restriction of the 8-hour rule, when applied to a five-day work-week. Per the 8-hour rule, a pilot could fly eight hours per day in a typical work-week, or 40 hours. However, the FAA restricts this amount to 36 hours for ATP instruction.
Oral Exam Questions