Ground School

Does a Private Pilot Certificate expire?

No. A Private Pilot Certificate does not expire.

Does a pilot's medical certificate need to be up to date?

Yes. A pilot must have a valid medical certificate when one is required.

What is a First-Class Medical Certificate used for?

Airline Transport Pilots (ATP).

How long is a First-Class Medical Certificate valid for if the pilot is under 40?

12 months.

How long is a First-Class Medical Certificate valid for if the pilot is 40 or older?

6 months.

What is a Second-Class Medical Certificate used for?

Commercial pilots.

How long is a Second-Class Medical Certificate valid for?

12 months for commercial pilot privileges.

What is a Third-Class Medical Certificate used for?

Student, recreational, and private pilots.

How long is a Third-Class Medical Certificate valid for if the pilot is under 40?

60 months (5 years).

How long is a Third-Class Medical Certificate valid for if the pilot is 40 or older?

24 months (2 years).

What happens when a First-Class Medical Certificate expires for ATP privileges?

It reverts to Second-Class privileges if the medical certificate is still within its Second-Class duration.

What happens when a Second-Class Medical Certificate expires for commercial pilot privileges?

It can continue to be used for Third-Class privileges if it is still within its Third-Class duration.

What is an alternative to holding a current FAA medical certificate?

BasicMed.

What is required to fly under BasicMed?

The pilot must hold a valid U.S. driver's license.

What medical certificate history is required to use BasicMed?

The pilot must have held an FAA medical certificate that was valid on or after July 15, 2006.

Can the most recent medical certificate used for BasicMed have been revoked, suspended, or withdrawn?

No. The most recent medical certificate cannot have been revoked, suspended, or withdrawn.

What must be true about the pilot's most recent application for an FAA medical certificate?

If the most recent application was denied, the pilot must have obtained a Special Issuance before using BasicMed.

How often must a pilot complete the BasicMed online medical education course?

Every 24 calendar months.

How often must a pilot complete a comprehensive medical examination for BasicMed?

Every 48 months.

What must the pilot do with the completed BasicMed comprehensive medical examination form?

Keep the completed form in their possession or readily accessible while exercising BasicMed privileges.

What is a flight review?

A review of a pilot's knowledge and skills conducted by a CFI to determine whether the pilot can safely exercise the privileges of their certificate.

How often must a pilot complete a flight review?

At least once every 24 calendar months.

Can a new pilot certificate or rating satisfy the flight review requirement?

Yes. Completing a practical test for a new certificate or rating can reset/satisfy the flight review requirement.

What is required to fly a high-performance airplane?

A high-performance endorsement from an authorized instructor.

What qualifies as a high-performance airplane?

An airplane with an engine of more than 200 horsepower.

What is required to fly a complex airplane?

A complex-airplane endorsement from an authorized instructor, unless an applicable exception applies.

What makes an airplane complex?

It has retractable landing gear, flaps, and a controllable-pitch propeller (including a constant-speed propeller).

What is required to fly a tailwheel airplane?

A tailwheel-airplane endorsement from an authorized instructor, unless an applicable exception applies.

What is the passenger-carrying recency requirement during the day?

Within the preceding 90 days, the pilot must have made at least 3 takeoffs and 3 landings in the same category, class, and type (if a type rating is required).

Can touch-and-go landings count toward the daytime passenger-carrying requirement?

Yes.

What is the passenger-carrying recency requirement at night?

Within the preceding 90 days, the pilot must have made at least 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop during the period from 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.

Can touch-and-go landings count toward the nighttime passenger-carrying requirement?

No. Night passenger-carrying landings must be full-stop landings.

What additional recency requirement applies when carrying passengers in a tailwheel airplane?

The pilot must have made at least 3 takeoffs and 3 landings to a full stop in a tailwheel airplane within the preceding 90 days.

What time period is used for the night passenger-carrying currency requirement?

From 1 hour after sunset to 1 hour before sunrise.

For passenger-carrying currency, what must the aircraft's category and class be?

The takeoffs and landings must be performed in the same category and class of aircraft.

When is a type rating required for passenger-carrying currency?

If the aircraft requires a type rating, the takeoffs and landings must also be in the same type of aircraft.

What documents must a pilot present upon request?

The pilot certificate, medical certificate (if required), and government-issued photo ID.

Who may request a pilot's certificate, medical certificate, and government-issued photo ID?

The FAA, NTSB, law enforcement officers, or an authorized representative of the TSA.

Can a private pilot carry passengers or property for compensation or hire?

Generally, no. A private pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers or property for compensation or hire.

Can a private pilot receive compensation for flying as part of their business?

Yes, if the flight is only incidental to that business and the aircraft does not carry passengers or property for compensation or hire.

What does "incidental to a business" mean?

The flight is secondary to the pilot's primary business purpose rather than being the primary reason for the flight.

Can a private pilot share the operating expenses of a flight with passengers?

Yes, but the pilot must pay at least their pro rata share of the operating expenses.

What expenses may be shared under the pro rata expense rule?

Fuel, oil, airport expenditures, and rental fees.

What does "pro rata share" mean?

The pilot must pay at least an equal share of the allowable operating expenses based on the number of people sharing the expenses.

Example: If four people are aboard, including the pilot, how much of the allowable operating expenses must the pilot pay?

At least 1/4 of the allowable operating expenses.

What is the key rule regarding compensation for a private pilot?

A private pilot generally cannot carry passengers or property for compensation or hire, except where specifically permitted by the regulations.

What is the general aileron rule when taxiing or landing in a crosswind?

Turn the ailerons into the wind.

If the wind is coming from the front left, which aileron should be raised?

The left aileron should be raised.

If the wind is coming from the front right, which aileron should be raised?

The right aileron should be raised.

If the wind is coming from the back left, which aileron should be lowered?

The left aileron should be lowered.

If the wind is coming from the back right, which aileron should be lowered?

The right aileron should be lowered.

When taxiing with a headwind from the front left, what control position should be used?

Left aileron up and elevator neutral or down as appropriate for the wind conditions.

When taxiing with a headwind from the front right, what control position should be used?

Right aileron up and elevator neutral or down as appropriate for the wind conditions.

When taxiing with a tailwind from the back left, what control position should be used?

Left aileron down, with the elevator positioned appropriately for the tailwind.

When taxiing with a tailwind from the back right, what control position should be used?

Right aileron down, with the elevator positioned appropriately for the tailwind.

What is the easiest way to remember crosswind aileron positioning?

Keep the aileron turned into the wind.

What is a PAPI

Precision Approach Path Indicator

This PAPI indicates what

Low on glide path

This PAPI indicates what

Slight high above glide path

This PAPI indicates what

Slightly low on glide path

This PAPI indicates what

On glidepath

This PAPI indicates what

High on glidepath