SPC Regulations and Pilot Limitations 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Under FAR 61.89, which of the following is a student pilot NOT permitted to do during solo flight?
- Fly at night with a night endorsement
- Fly in Class D airspace with proper endorsement
- Fly for compensation or hire (Correct answer)
- Practice stalls
Correct answer: Fly for compensation or hire
FAR 61.89 prohibits student pilots from acting as PIC of an aircraft that is carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire.
Question 2: A student pilot wants to fly solo on a day when the visibility forecast is 2 statute miles. What should the student do?
- Proceed, since VFR minimums in Class G airspace below 1,200 AGL are 1 SM
- Check their CFI endorsement for the minimum visibility the instructor authorized (Correct answer)
- Cancel only if flying in Class B airspace
- File an IFR flight plan to proceed legally
Correct answer: Check their CFI endorsement for the minimum visibility the instructor authorized
Per FAR 61.87, a CFI must endorse a student pilot with the minimum solo flight conditions, which may be more restrictive than the regulatory VFR minimums.
Question 3: Who is responsible for ensuring a student pilot's logbook endorsements are current before a solo flight?
- The ATC facility serving the airspace
- The FSDO overseeing the flight school
- The student pilot and the certifying CFI (Correct answer)
- The designated pilot examiner
Correct answer: The student pilot and the certifying CFI
Both the student pilot (as PIC) and the endorsing CFI share responsibility for ensuring required endorsements are current and appropriate.
Question 4: A student pilot is on a solo cross-country flight and encounters weather that requires a diversion more than 50 NM off the planned route. What must the student pilot do?
- Declare an emergency and proceed to the nearest airport
- Return to the departure airport immediately
- Continue if fuel is sufficient
- Land and contact their CFI before proceeding, as the original endorsement may not cover the new route (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Land and contact their CFI before proceeding, as the original endorsement may not cover the new route
A student pilot's cross-country endorsement covers a specific route; significant deviations may fall outside the authorization, requiring CFI guidance before continuing.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes the purpose of a student pilot's pre-solo aeronautical knowledge test?
- It replaces the FAA written exam for the private pilot certificate
- It ensures the student understands the FARs and procedures for the specific make and model they will fly solo (Correct answer)
- It qualifies the student for instrument flight
- It allows the student to fly without a CFI present in all airspace
Correct answer: It ensures the student understands the FARs and procedures for the specific make and model they will fly solo
FAR 61.87 requires a CFI-administered knowledge test on the applicable FARs and aircraft-specific procedures prior to authorizing solo flight.
Question 6: How often must a student pilot receive a flight training endorsement from a CFI to continue solo flight privileges?
- Every 30 days
- Every 60 days
- Every 90 days (Correct answer)
- Once, as the student pilot certificate has no expiration
Correct answer: Every 90 days
FAR 61.87 requires that a student pilot receive a solo flight endorsement within the preceding 90 days to exercise solo flight privileges.
Question 7: A student pilot certificate issued after April 1, 2016, serves a dual purpose. What is it?
- It serves as both a student pilot certificate and an aircraft registration
- It serves as both a student pilot certificate and a third-class medical certificate (Correct answer)
- It serves as both a student pilot certificate and a sport pilot certificate
- It serves as both a student pilot certificate and a recreational pilot certificate
Correct answer: It serves as both a student pilot certificate and a third-class medical certificate
Under the FAA's BasicMed and 2016 rule changes, a student pilot certificate issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner also serves as a third-class medical certificate.
SPC Regulations and Pilot Limitations 3
Under FAR 61.89, which of the following is a student pilot NOT permitted to do during solo flight?