Subpart D--Recreational Pilots

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Sec. 61.96 Applicability and eligibility requirements: General.

(a) This subpart prescribes the requirement for the issuance of

recreational pilot certificates and ratings, the conditions under which those

certificates and ratings are necessary, and the general operating rules for

persons who hold those certificates and ratings.

(b) To be eligible for a recreational pilot certificate, a person who

applies for that certificate must:

(1) Be at least 17 years of age;

(2) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If

the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical

reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that

applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the

aircraft;

(3) Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who--

(i) Conducted the training or reviewed the applicant's home study on the

aeronautical knowledge areas listed in Sec. 61.97(b) of this part that apply

to the aircraft category and class rating sought; and

(ii) Certified that the applicant is prepared for the required knowledge

test.

(4) Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas

listed in Sec. 61.97(b) of this part;

(5) Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized

instructor who--

(i) Conducted the training on the areas of operation listed in Sec.

61.98(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating

sought; and

(ii) Certified that the applicant is prepared for the required practical

test.

(6) Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of Sec. 61.99 of this

part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought;

(7) Pass the required practical test on the areas of operation listed in

Sec. 61.98(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class

rating sought; and

(8) Comply with the sections of this part that apply to the aircraft

category and class rating sought.

 

 

 

Sec. 61.97 Aeronautical knowledge.

(a) General. A person who applies for a recreational pilot certificate must

receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a

home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of

this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.

(b) Aeronautical knowledge areas. (1) Applicable Federal Aviation

Regulations of this chapter that relate to recreational pilot privileges,

limitations, and flight operations;

(2) Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety

Board;

(3) Use of the applicable portions of the "Aeronautical Information Manual"

and FAA ACs;

(4) Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage with the

aid of a magnetic compass;

(5) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in

flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical

weather reports and forecasts;

(6) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision

avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;

(7) Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;

(8) Weight and balance computations;

(9) Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;

(10) Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques, if

applying for an airplane single-engine rating;

(11) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and

(12) Preflight action that includes--

(i) How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended

use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts,

and fuel requirements; and

(ii) How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed

or delays are encountered.

 

 

Sec. 61.98 Flight proficiency.

(a) General. A person who applies for a recreational pilot certificate must

have received and logged ground and flight training from an authorized

instructor on the areas of operation of this section that apply to the

aircraft category and class rating sought.

(b) Areas of operation. (1) For a single-engine airplane rating: (i)

Preflight preparation;

(ii) Preflight procedures;

(iii) Airport operations;

(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;

(v) Performance maneuvers;

(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;

(vii) Navigation;

(viii) Slow flight and stalls;

(ix) Emergency operations; and

(x) Postflight procedures.

(2) For a helicopter rating: (i) Preflight preparation;

(ii) Preflight procedures;

(iii) Airport and heliport operations;

(iv) Hovering maneuvers;

(v) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;

(vi) Performance maneuvers;

(vii) Ground reference maneuvers;

(viii) Navigation;

(ix) Emergency operations; and

(x) Postflight procedures.

(3) For a gyroplane rating: (i) Preflight preparation;

(ii) Preflight procedures;

(iii) Airport operations;

(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;

(v) Performance maneuvers;

(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;

(vii) Navigation;

(viii) Flight at slow airspeeds;

(ix) Emergency operations; and

(x) Postflight procedures.

 

 

Sec. 61.99 Aeronautical experience.

A person who applies for a recreational pilot certificate must receive and

log at least 30 hours of flight training time that includes at least:

(a) 15 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor on the areas

of operation listed in Sec. 61.98 of this part that consists of at least:

(1) Except as provided in Sec. 61.100 of this part, 2 hours of flight

training en route to an airport that is located more than 25 nautical miles

from the airport where the applicant normally trains, which includes at least

three takeoffs and three landings at the airport located more than 25

nautical miles from the airport where the applicant normally trains; and

(2) 3 hours of flight training in the aircraft for the rating sought in

preparation for the practical test within the 60 days preceding the date of

the practical test.

(b) 3 hours of solo flying in the aircraft for the rating sought, on the

areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.98 of this part that apply to the

aircraft category and class rating sought.

 

 

 

Sec. 61.100 Pilots based on small islands.

(a) An applicant located on an island from which the flight training

required in Sec. 61.99(a)(1) of this part cannot be accomplished without

flying over water for more than 10 nautical miles from the nearest shoreline

need not comply with the requirements of that section. However, if other

airports that permit civil operations are available to which a flight may be

made without flying over water for more than 10 nautical miles from the

nearest shoreline, the applicant must show completion of a dual flight

between two airports, which must include three landings at the other airport.

(b) An applicant who complies with paragraph (a) of this section and meets

all requirements for the issuance of a recreational pilot certificate, except

the requirements of Sec. 61.99(a)(1) of this part, will be issued a pilot

certificate with an endorsement containing the following limitation,

"Passenger carrying prohibited on flights more than 10 nautical miles from

(the appropriate island)." The limitation may be subsequently amended to

include another island if the applicant complies with the requirements of

paragraph (a) of this section for another island.

(c) Upon meeting the requirements of Sec. 61.99(a)(1) of this part, the

applicant may have the limitation(s) in paragraph (b) of this section

removed.

 

 

Sec. 61.101 Recreational pilot privileges and limitations.

(a) A person who holds a recreational pilot certificate may:

(1) Carry no more than one passenger; and

(2) Not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating expenses of a

flight with a passenger, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil,

airport expenses, or aircraft rental fees.

(b) A person who holds a recreational pilot certificate may act as pilot in

command of an aircraft on a flight that is within 50 nautical miles from the

departure airport, provided that person has:

(1) Received ground and flight training for takeoff, departure, arrival,

and landing procedures at the departure airport;

(2) Received ground and flight training for the area, terrain, and aids to

navigation that are in the vicinity of the departure airport;

(3) Been found proficient to operate the aircraft at the departure airport

and the area within 50 nautical miles from that airport; and

(4) Received from an authorized instructor a logbook endorsement, which is

carried in the person's possession in the aircraft, that permits flight

within 50 nautical miles from the departure airport.

(c) A person who holds a recreational pilot certificate may act as pilot in

command of an aircraft on a flight that exceeds 50 nautical miles from the

departure airport, provided that person has:

(1) Received ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on

the cross-country training requirements of subpart E of this part that apply

to the aircraft rating held;

(2) Been found proficient in cross-country flying; and

(3) Received from an authorized instructor a logbook endorsement, which is

carried on the person's possession in the aircraft, that certifies the person

has received and been found proficient in the cross-country training

requirements of subpart E of this part that apply to the aircraft rating

held.

(d) Except as provided in paragraph (h) of this section, a recreational

pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft:

(1) That is certificated for more than four occupants, with more than one

powerplant, with a powerplant of more than 180 horsepower, or with

retractable landing gear.

(2) That is classified as a multiengine airplane, powered-lift, glider,

airship, or balloon;

(3) That is carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire;

(4) For compensation or hire;

(5) In furtherance of a business;

(6) Between sunset and sunrise;

(7) In airspace in which communication with air traffic control is

required;

(8) At an altitude of more than 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL,

whichever is higher;

(9) When the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles;

(10) Without visual reference to the surface;

(11) On a flight outside the United States;

(12) To demonstrate that aircraft in flight to a prospective buyer;

(13) That is used in a passenger-carrying airlift and sponsored by a

charitable organization; and

(14) That is towing any object.

(e) A recreational pilot may not act as a pilot flight crewmember on any

aircraft for which more than one pilot is required by the type certificate of

the aircraft or the regulations under which the flight is conducted, except

when:

(1) Receiving flight training from a person authorized to provide flight

training on board an airship; and

(2) No person other than a required flight crewmember is carried on the

aircraft.

(f) A person who holds a recreational pilot certificate, has logged fewer

than 400 flight hours, and has not logged pilot-in-command time in an

aircraft within the 180 days preceding the flight shall not act as pilot in

command of an aircraft until the pilot receives flight training and a logbook

endorsement from an authorized instructor, and the instructor certifies that

the person is proficient to act as pilot in command of the aircraft. This

requirement can be met in combination with the requirements of Secs. 61.56

and 61.57 of this part, at the discretion of the authorized instructor.

(g) A recreational pilot certificate issued under this subpart carries the

notation, "Holder does not meet ICAO requirements."

(h) For the purpose of obtaining additional certificates or ratings while

under the supervision of an authorized instructor, a recreational pilot may

fly as the sole occupant of an aircraft:

(1) For which the pilot does not hold an appropriate category or class

rating;

(2) Within airspace that requires communication with air traffic control;

or

(3) Between sunset and sunrise, provided the flight or surface visibility

is at least 5 statute miles.

(i) In order to fly solo as provided in paragraph (h) of this section, the

recreational pilot must meet the appropriate aeronautical knowledge and

flight training requirements of Sec. 61.87 for that aircraft. When operating

an aircraft under the conditions specified in paragraph (h) of this section,

the recreational pilot shall carry the logbook that has been endorsed for

each flight by an authorized instructor who:

(1) Has given the recreational pilot training in the make and model of

aircraft in which the solo flight is to be made;

(2) Has found that the recreational pilot has met the applicable

requirements of Sec. 61.87; and

(3) Has found that the recreational pilot is competent to make solo flights

in accordance with the logbook endorsement.

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