FAA Certificates and Documents

A description of what is required to obtain and use different pilot certificates such as private and commercial. Also understanding the different classes of a medical certificate.

Acting as PIC (Currency)

For further information on any FARs, click on the regulation # and it will take you to a page with more details. You can also look up the exact wording in your current FAR/AIM.

Documents Required to act as PIC (FAR 61.3)

In order to act as PIC, you must have the following documents easily accessible:

• Government issued photo ID
• Pilot Certificate (student pilot certificate if on solo)
• Medical Certificate
• If on a solo, must have logbook with all solo endorsements

To Act of Pilot in Command

• Must complete a flight review every 24 calendar months (FAR 61.56)
• To carry Passengers, in the proceeding 90 days, you must have made 3 takeoffs and landings in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type. (FAR 61.57a)
• To carry Passengers at night, in the proceeding 90 days, you must have made 3 takeoffs and landings to a full stop, at night, in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type. For the purpose of currency, night is defined as between the times of 1 hour after sunset and 1 hour before sunrise (FAR 61.57b)
• For IFR conditions or to file an IFR flight plan, in the proceeding 6 calendar months, you must have performed your “6 HITS” (FAR ) 1) 6 Instrument approaches 2) Holding procedures and tasks 3) Intercept and Track courses through use of electronic navigational systems
  • If 6 months go by without being current: You can log the requirements and get current with a safety pilot, instructor, or pilot examiner.
  • If 12 months go by without being current: You need an Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) by either a CFII, examiner, or approved person.
  • To act as Safety Pilot: 1) At least a private pilot certificate with category and class rating in aircraft being flown 2) Possess appropriate medical certificate 3) **PIC on IFR must hold an instrument rating and be instrument current

  Private Pilot Certificate

  Private Pilot Eligibility Requirements (FAR 61.103)

  • Must be atleast 17 years of age
  • Be able to read, write, speak, and understand English
  • Pass the required knowledge exam
  • Pass the required practical exam
  • Hold either a student pilot, sport pilot, or recreational pilot certificate

  Private Pilot Aeronautical Experience Requirements (FAR 61.109)

  • Must log at least 40 hours of flight time that consists of at least:
    • 20 hours of those hours must be flight instruction time from a certified flight instructor,which includes at least:
      • 3 hours cross country
      • 3 hours of night time
      • 3 hours of simulated instrument time
      • 3 hours within the previous 2 calendar months
      • 5 hours cross country
      • One solo cross country flight that includes:
        • 150 NM total distance
        • Full stop landings at 3 different airports
        • One segment must be a straight line distance of more than 50 NM between takeoff and landing airports.
        • 3 full stop takeoff and landings at an airport with an operating control tower

        Private Pilot Privileges and Limitations (FAR 61.113)

        • May not act as PIC of an aircraft carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire.
        • May act as PIC for compensation/hire if incidental to the business and no passengers or property.
        • May not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating expenses of a flight provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenditures, or rental fees.
        • May be reimbursed for operating expenses directly related to search and location operations.
        • May act as PIC for a charitable, nonprofit, or community event. (91.146)
        • May be reimbursed for operating expenses directly related to search and rescue.
        • May demonstrate an aircraft to a potential buyer if have over 200 hrs and are an aircraft salesman.
        • May act as PIC of an aircraft towing a glider. (61.69)
        • May not act as PIC for comp/hire as SIC of an aircraft type certificated for more than 1 pilot or act as SIC for an aircraft carrying persons/property for comp/hire.

        Commercial Pilot Certificate

        Commercial Pilot Aeronautical Experience Requirements (FAR 61.129)

        • Must log at least 250 hours of flight time as a pilot that consists of at least:
          • 100 hours in powered aircraft, 50 hours of which must be in airplanes
          • 100 hours of PIC flight time, which includes at least:
            • 50 hours in airplanes; and
            • 50 hours in cross-country flight of which at least 10 hours must be in airplanes
            • 10 hrs of instrument training of which at least 5 hrs must be in a single engine airplane
            • 10 hrs of training in an airplane that has retractable gear, flaps, and a controllable pitch propeller, or is turbine powered
            • One cross-country flight of at least 2 hours in a SE airplane in day VFR conditions
              • The total straight line distance must be more than 100 nm
              • The total straight line distance must be more than 100 nm
              • One cross-country flight not less than 300 nm total distance with landings at a min of 3 points, one of which is a straight line distance of at least 250 nm
              • 5 hrs in night VFR conditions with 10 T/Os and LDGs with an operating control tower

              Commercial Pilot Privileges and Limitations (FAR 61.113)

              • May act as PIC of an aircraft carrying persons or property for compensation/hire
              • May act as PIC of an aircraft for compensation/hire
              • Without an instrument rating in the same category and class
                • The carriage of passengers for hire on x-country flights over 50 nm or at night is prohibited

                Medical Certificate

                Medical Certificate Requirements (FAR 61.23)

                A medical certificate is a certificate issued by an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) after a routine medical exam. AMEs are doctors designated by the FAA. You can find a list of AMEs on the FAA’s website: https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/. A student pilot doesn’t need to have a medical certificate until the solo phase. However, I suggest getting you medical certificate before you even begin training so you do not go through all your training and get to your solo then find out that you can not pass the medical exam. You can not solo an aircraft without a medical certificate.

                • 1st Class Medical
                  • You must have a 1st class medical certificate in order to excessive privileges of an ATP certificate.
                    • If you 40 years of age or older, your 1st class medical is valid for 6 calendar months.
                    • If you are under 40 years of age, your 1st class medical is valid for 12 calendar months.
                    • You must hold at least a 2nd class medical certificate to exercise privileges of a commercial certificate.
                    • No matter what your age is, your 2nd class medical is valid for 12 calendar months.
                    • You must hold at least a 3rd class medical certificate in order to perform a solo flight with a student pilot certificate, act as PIC with a private pilot certificate, or to take a check ride for any certificate.
                      • If you are 40 years of age or older, your 3rd class medical certificate is valid for 24 calendar months.
                      • If you are under 40 years of age, your 3rd class medical certificate is valid for 60 calendar months.

                      Even with a current medical, FAR 61.53 states that, “A pilot can not act as a crew member on an aircraft is they know, or have reason to know, of any medical conditions that would make them unsafe to operate an aircraft.”

                      Further Reading: