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.