PSTAR Pilot Certification and Eligibility Requirements 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the minimum age required to obtain a student pilot certificate for powered aircraft under FAR 61.83?
- 14 years of age
- 15 years of age
- 16 years of age (Correct answer)
- 17 years of age
Correct answer: 16 years of age
FAR 61.83 requires an applicant for a student pilot certificate in powered aircraft to be at least 16 years of age.
Question 2: Which class of medical certificate is the minimum required for a student pilot to exercise solo flight privileges in a powered airplane?
- First-Class medical certificate
- Second-Class medical certificate
- Third-Class medical certificate (Correct answer)
- No medical certificate is required
Correct answer: Third-Class medical certificate
Per FAR 61.23, a Third-Class medical certificate is the minimum required for student pilot operations in a powered airplane.
Question 3: Under FAR 61.87, who is authorized to endorse a student pilot's logbook to permit the student's first solo flight?
- Any FAA Aviation Safety Inspector
- A certificated flight instructor (CFI) (Correct answer)
- A Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
- Any commercial or airline transport pilot
Correct answer: A certificated flight instructor (CFI)
FAR 61.87 requires a certificated flight instructor to provide the logbook endorsement authorizing a student pilot's solo flight.
Question 4: Which of the following is a student pilot absolutely prohibited from doing during a solo flight under FAR 61.89?
- Landing at an airport other than the departure airport
- Practicing touch-and-go landings
- Carrying a passenger in the aircraft (Correct answer)
- Requesting flight following from ATC
Correct answer: Carrying a passenger in the aircraft
FAR 61.89 explicitly prohibits student pilots from carrying passengers under any circumstances, regardless of endorsements.
Question 5: How long is a Third-Class medical certificate valid for a pilot who was under 40 years of age on the date of the medical examination?
- 12 calendar months
- 24 calendar months
- 36 calendar months
- 60 calendar months (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 60 calendar months
Per FAR 61.23, a Third-Class medical certificate is valid for 60 calendar months for holders who were under age 40 on the date of their exam.
Question 6: If a student pilot does not complete a solo flight within 90 days of receiving a CFI's solo endorsement, what must happen before they can fly solo?
- They must retake the FAA written knowledge test
- They must apply for a new student pilot certificate
- They must obtain a new endorsement from their CFI (Correct answer)
- Nothing — solo endorsements do not expire
Correct answer: They must obtain a new endorsement from their CFI
Per FAR 61.87, solo endorsements expire after 90 days; the student must receive a new endorsement from their CFI before flying solo again.
Question 7: Which documents must a student pilot have in personal possession during a solo flight?
- Student pilot certificate only
- Medical certificate and logbook only
- Student pilot certificate, valid medical certificate, and government-issued photo ID (Correct answer)
- Student pilot certificate and logbook with endorsement only
Correct answer: Student pilot certificate, valid medical certificate, and government-issued photo ID
FAR 61.3 and 61.87 together require student pilots to carry their student pilot certificate, valid medical certificate, and a government-issued photo ID during solo operations.
PSTAR Pilot Certification and Eligibility Requirements 1
What is the minimum age required to obtain a student pilot certificate for powered aircraft under FAR 61.83?