FAA Basics: Roles, Classifications, Certs, Meds, and Training Paths
FAA role & FARs
FAA = Federal Aviation Administration; governs nearly all aviation activities and equipment.
FARs = Federal Aviation Regulations; defined rules for certification, operations, maintenance, etc.
Key CFR titles/parts to know: Title 14\,\text{ CFR} (Aeronautics & Space); Part 1 (definitions); Part 43 (maintenance); Part 61 (certification); Part 91 (general operating rules); Part number examples like Part 91.205, Part 91.213.
FARs app recommended for quick navigation to definitions, requirements, and paragraphs.
Training and certification flow relies on FARs for what you can fly, required equipment, and certificates.
Aircraft Classifications: Categories, Classes, Types
Category examples: Airplane, Rotorcraft, Glider, Balloon, Lighter‑than‑Air (LTAA); Seaplane as a subclass.
Class examples (Airplane only): Single‑Engine Land, Multi‑Engine Land, Single‑Engine Sea, Multi‑Engine Sea.
Type: Specific aircraft model (e.g., a particular Cessna 172).
Lighter‑than‑air examples: Blimp, Powered balloons; Powered‑lift includes aircraft that may combine elements of rotorcraft and airplane.
Seaplanes: Operate on water; classified under category Airplane and class Seaplane (water operations).
Power lift: Aircraft capable of vertical/short takeoff or mixed modes (e.g., tilt‑rotor concepts); examples lead to special endorsements/type considerations.
Weight, Size, and Certification Classifications
Small vs Large by takeoff weight:
Small:
\text{MTOW} \leq 12\,500\ \text{lb}Large:
\text{MTOW} > 12\,500\ \text{lb}
Light‑Sport Aircraft (LSA): max takeoff weight 1320\text{ lb}; simpler, easier to fly.
Complex/High‑Performance/High‑Altitude gear are endorsements or ratings tied to airplane capabilities (see endorsements).
High‑Performance: airplane with > 200\ \text{HP}; requires endorsement to operate.
High‑Altitude: aircraft that are pressurized or can operate above 25{,}000\ \text{ft}; usually requires specific qualifications.
Categories, Classes, and Types for Certification vs. Operation
For certification of the aircraft itself: categories like Normal, Transport, Limited, Provisional, etc.; and sub‑categories like Light Sport.
For the pilot’s operating privileges: aircraft category (Airplane), aircraft class (e.g., Single‑Engine Land), and aircraft type (specific model when required).
Example: Private pilot certificate shows: Category = Airplane; Class = Single‑Engine; and then Specific Type if applicable.
CFI/CFI‑A: some certificates show endorsements on the certificate; instrument ratings appear on the certificate; complex/high‑altitude/ tailwheel endorsements appear in the logbook.
Tailwheel (Conventional Gear): requires a specific endorsement due to ground handling characteristics.
Complex airplane: retractable gear, flaps, and a constant‑speed prop; requires an endorsement to operate.
Conventional vs tricycle gear impacts handling and endorsements; tailwheel gear is more challenging to fly/taxi.
Powerlift examples: consider how some aircraft blend features; endorsements may apply depending on the aircraft’s primary category.
Certification & Endorsements: What’s written vs. logged
Certificates show: Category, Class, and Type (if applicable); Instrument ratings and certain endorsements may be printed on the certificate or back of the certificate.
Endorsements, such as for complex, high‑performance, tailwheel, must be logged by the instructor and carried via logbook endorsements; not always on the certificate itself.
Instrument rating: added to the certificate for the relevant category/class; remains a separate privilege within the certificate.
Private pilot privileges: can carry passengers, share operating expenses pro rata; cannot be paid to fly (except specific allowed activities or as an aircraft salesperson, etc.).
Solo privileges with endorsements: when doing first solos, necessary to carry a logbook endorsement or proof of authorization; after earning the certificate, some endorsements may no longer require a separate logbook entry for that airplane, but logbook evidence is still prudent.
Training Pathways: Part 61 vs Part 141; ACS
Ground training + written exam; flight training; oral exam + flight test.
ACS (Airman Certification Standards): framework for checkrides including knowledge, risk awareness, and handling of scenarios; emphasizes Human Factors (hypoxia, hyperventilation, etc.).
Part 61 (General Aviation training): flexible hours; checkride by an FAA‑designated examiner or examiner‑certified instructor; syllabus set by school.
Part 141 (FAA‑approved flight schools): structured, board‑approved curriculum; minimum hours tighter than Part 61 (roughly 54 hours for private pilot, though actuals vary); in‑house checkrides with FAA‑designated examiners.
Your school may run under Part 141 or Part 61; both lead to a private pilot certificate with similar privileges but different pathways and required oversight.
Medical Certificates: Classes, duration, and calendar months
Three classes: First, Second, Third; required for different cert levels and operations.
Duration (calendar months) by class and age (typical rules):
First class (under 40): 12 calendar months; (over 40) shorter durations may apply depending on authority and medical specifics.
Second class: 12 calendar months (privileges relate to commercial/airline operations).
Third class: 60 calendar months under 40; 24 calendar months at 40+; after that, a new medical is required.
Calendar month concept: expiration aligns with the month of the examination; example: test on August 31 results in expiration in August of the following year (not a fixed day count).
Special issuance may alter duration; always re‑check specifics for your case.
Medicals are required to exercise flight privileges; different classes grant different levels of operating capability.
For solos and early training, medical requirements are relaxed; physicians (AMEs) determine eligibility and class duration.
Training, Knowledge, and Checkride Essentials (ACS & Knowledge Bases)
Expect knowledge and procedural questions during the oral exam; focus on: human factors, navigation, aerodynamics basics, weather, aircraft systems.
ACS outlines performance standards for checkrides: alarm/hypoxia scenarios, task‑oriented maneuvers (e.g., steep turns with tolerances of about ±100\text{ ft} and ±10\text{ knots}), etc.
Demonstrate the ability to perform maneuvers with realistic tolerances; corrections to errors are part of passing performance.
Quick exam‑day takeaways
Know the role of the FAA and the FAR structure (Part numbers and what they cover).
Memorize how categories, classes, and types are defined and how endorsements/logbook entries affect your flight privileges.
Understand medical certificate durations and the calendar month rule to avoid lapses.
Distinguish Part 61 vs Part 141 training paths and how the ACS guides checkrides.
Be prepared to explain why certain airplanes require endorsements (e.g., tailwheel, complex, high‑performance, high‑altitude).
Always back up statements with the appropriate regulation or syllabus reference when asked.
Common terms recap (quick references)
Aircraft category examples: Airplane, Rotorcraft, Glider, Balloon, LTAA, Seaplane.
Aircraft class examples (Airplane): Single‑Engine Land, Multi‑Engine Land, Single‑Engine Sea, Multi‑Engine Sea.
Weight thresholds: small aircraft ≤ 12\,500\text{ lb}; large aircraft > 12\,500\text{ lb}.
LSA: max takeoff weight 1320\text{ lb}.
High‑Performance: > 200\text{ HP}.
High‑Altitude: capable of operation above 25{,}000\text{ ft}; often pressurized.
Complex airplane: retractable gear, flaps, and constant‑speed prop.
Tailwheel gear: conventional gear; requires an endorsement.
Medical classes: First, Second, Third; duration and age rules summarized above.
If you want, I can tailor these notes to a specific exam section or quiz format you’re studying for.