Student Pilot

Becoming a Pilot

All pilots begin their flying career as a student pilot. This is the first step on the journey in becoming a certificated pilot. Many people choose to become a private pilot (a pilot who flies for personal reasons such as a hobby or personal transport requirements but who is unable to earn money from flying) and many choose to continue on a path to become a career pilot. A well trodden path of pilots who choose a career in aviation such as becoming an Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) is as follows:

  • Student Pilot
  • Private Pilot
  • Instrument Rating
  • Commercial Pilot
  • Certified Flight Instructor
  • Airline Transport Pilot

To become a student pilot you will need to meet some eligibility requirements and apply for a student pilot certificate.

Student Pilot Eligibility Requirements

  • Age: There is no lower age limit to begin taking flying lessons and logging flight time with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) – however to be eligible for a student pilot certificate, and fly solo in a powered aircraft, an applicant must be at least 16 years.
  • Language: You must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
  • Medical Certificate: You must be able to obtain at least a third-class medical certificate from an FAA-authorized Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). Although you don’t need a medical certificate until you are ready to fly solo – It is advisable to schedule an appointment with an AME as soon as possible. Obtaining a medical certificate early in the process allows you to discover any disqualifying conditions before spending a lot of time and money on flight training that you may not be able to complete. You can find an AME through the FAA’s website or other aviation resources.

Choose a Flight School and / or a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)

  • Research and select a flight school or a certified flight instructor (CFI).
  • You may want to try several different flight instructors before committing to one – it is important to find a good match for you.
  • Once you have a primary flight instructor, they will guide you through the process of applying for a student pilot certificate and provide the necessary training.

Applying for a Student Pilot Certificate

To apply for your student pilot certificate, you must create an account on the FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system. IACRA, is an online system used by the FAA to process applications for airman certification and rating.

  • IACRA provides a platform for pilots, mechanics, flight instructors, and other aviation professionals to apply for certifications and ratings electronically.
  • The system integrates with other FAA databases and offers a paperless workflow for the entire certification process, from application submission to final issuance of the certificate
  • The system validates data entered by users, ensuring it complies with regulatory requirements. This helps reduce errors and incomplete applications.
  • IACRA provides secure login and access control. It also tracks the application status, allowing users to monitor the progress of their applications.

Complete all the steps below in order to successfully apply for your student pilot certificate. It may be easier to be with your CFI when filling out the application. They will be able to assist and guide you through the process, answering any questions you may have. The flight instructor will need to verify and sign your application before it is accepted.

  1. Users must first create an account on the IACRA website. This involves providing personal information and setting up security questions.
  2. Applicants then will need complete their application for a student pilot certificate online, entering required information and uploading necessary documents, if required.
  3. Ensure all information is filled out correctly with the required personal information.
  4. Carefully Review and submit the application.
  5. You will be issued a unique FAA tracking number called the FTN – make a note of this and keep it safe (write it in your flight logbook for example)
  6. Your CFI will need to log into IACRA to review and process your application. They will endorse your application, confirming that you meet all the requirements.
  7. Once submitted, the application is reviewed by FAA officials who ensure all requirements are met before issuing the certification.
  8. Initially, you will be issued a temporary student pilot certificate, with the permanent one being mailed to you later. Print the temporary certificate and keep it with your logbook.
  9. You will receive your permanent, plastic pilot certificate in the mail in a few weeks.

Before being permitted to begin training you will need to either:

  • Provide proof (e.g U.S birth certificate, U.S Passport, with supporting government issued ID) that you are a U.S Citizen. Your flight instructor will endorse your logbook to verify that you have presented this information to your flight school and / or flight instructor.
  • Obtain authorization from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to begin training as student pilot, If you are not a U.S Citizen. All non-U.S. citizens apply to train for a pilot certificate must undergo a TSA background check.

Commence training

Once you are authorized to begin training :

  • You may begin taking flight lessons with your CFI to build your skills and knowledge. You will be able to receive and log flight training from a flight instructor.
  • In addition to receiving flight training you will also need to receive ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course to pass the FAA Knowledge Test.
  • Maintain a logbook to track your flight hours, training, and endorsements. All hours of flight time and ground instruction with a certified flight instructor count towards your Private Pilot certificate and should be logged. Before your first solo flight, your CFI must endorse your logbook, certifying that you are prepared for solo flight.

Some items you will need for training

  • Logbook: You will need to have it with you for every lesson and flight you make as a student pilot. This will contain a log of all of your lessons, flights, endorsements, certificates and ratings.
  • Fuel Strainer / Tester: (buy one at East Coast Aero Club, Sportys.com, Amazon.com etc.)
  • Kneeboard: You will need a kneeboard keep a notepad to hand for ATC clearances and other useful information to hand while you are flying. (www.sportys.com) www.flyboys.com, Battle Board https://battleboard.us/collections/kneeboards-accessories
  • Hanscom security pass: This is essential to have so you can go out on the ramp and perform pre-flights actions on the aircraft unescorted. Speak to the anyone in the ECAC office, they will help you with this!
  • Student Pilot Certificate: You will need a student pilot certificate before you can solo! (https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/student_cert) for more information.
  • Headset: While you can borrow a headset for your flights initially, you will probably want to buy your own headset as you continue in your training. There are a wide range of headsets for sale from very cheap to very expensive. (www.sportys.com , www.pilotmall.com , amazon.com , ebay.com ) etc. Speak to a CFI before you commit to buying one!!
  • Flight bag: Many pilots have a dedicated flight bag to keep their flight equipment in (headset – fuel strainer, kneeboard etc) (www.sportys.com , www.pilotmall.com , amazon.com , ebay.com ) or you can use any back pack or bag you already have!
  • iPad Most pilots now use an iPad as an “EFB” electronic flight bag for flight information purposes with apps such as Foreflight, Garmin Pilot or FlyQ EFB in the cockpit. This replaces paper charts and documents and also provides all of the information you need to plan flights, weather, weather briefing, filing flight plans, etc etc. You don’t need an iPad at the outset of your flight training – but it’s something to consider as you begin your solo and cross country flights.
  • E6B flight computer. The E6B flight computer is a form of circular slide rule used in aviation. These mechanical flight computers are still used in flight training for flight planning in order to make calculations for the flight. The E6B is used to aid calculating fuel burn, wind correction, time en route, and other items. In the air, the flight computer can be used to calculate ground speed, estimated fuel burn and updated estimated time of arrival. E6B’s can be purchased from East Coast Aero Club office, (www.sportys.com), (www.pilotmall.com) (amazon.com)

Path to Solo Flight

  1. Flight Training with a Flight Instructor: Complete the required solo training requirements for student pilots FAR 61.87 with your CFI.
  2. Pre-Solo Written Exam: Pass a written exam administered by your CFI covering the regulations and flight characteristics of the aircraft you will be flying.
  3. Pre-Solo Stage Check. ECAC requires that all student pilots complete a pre-solo stage check with another flight Instructor other than the one you have been training with to ensure that you are ready to fly solo. The stage check consists of a Emergency procedures written quiz, an oral test and a flight.
  4. Solo Flight Endorsement: After meeting all requirements, your CFI will provide an endorsement for solo flight in your logbook.

Continuing Training

  1. Cross-Country Flights: Additional training and endorsements are required for solo cross-country flights.
  2. Night Flying: Specific training and endorsements are needed for night flights.
  3. Knowledge Test: Pass the FAA Knowledge Test, typically during or after primary flight training.

Moving to a Private Pilot Certificate

  1. More Training: Continue training to meet the requirements for a private pilot certificate.
  2. Practical Test: Successfully complete the FAA practical test, including both a check ride and oral exam.

These are the general steps and requirements, but it is always advisable to check with a local flight school or the FAA for the most current information and any additional local requirements.

Solo requirements for student pilots (61.87)

Solo flight means the flight time during which a student pilot is the sole occupant and pilot in command of an aircraft. In order for a student pilot to operate an aircraft in solo flight they must meet the requirements of FAR 61.87

Before a student pilot is able to complete their first solo flight, it is a mandatory requirement at East Coast Aero Club for the student to complete a  pre-solo stage check with another flight instructor to ensure readiness and safety. The stage check must be scheduled on the ECAC Aero Calendar ahead of time,  with the chosen CFI who will conduct the stage check.

The assigned CFI will use conduct the stage check using the currently published Student Pilot Pre-Solo Stage Check Form. The Student Pilot Pre-Solo Stage Check Form covers the required knowledge, areas of operations and flight proficiency required during the Pre-Solo stage check. 

The stage check will proceed in the order:

1. Documentation check. The student pilot must be in possession of:

  • Logbook (with any required endorsements)
  • Valid student pilot certificate.
  • Valid government issued ID
  • Valid / current medical certificate

2. Student will completes the Emergency Quiz (below)
This is an open book quiz and will take about 15 mins

  • The Emergency Quiz will be reviewed and corrected before continuing with the stage check.

3. Ground Portio

Aeronautical knowledge.

A student pilot must demonstrate satisfactory aeronautical knowledge by completing on a knowledge test that meets the following requirements :

  • Applicable sections of parts 61 and 91 of Federal Aviation Regulations;
  • Airspace rules and procedures for the airport where the solo flight will be performed; and
  • Flight characteristics and operational limitations for the make and model of aircraft to be flown.

At the conclusion of the test, review all incorrect answers with the student before authorizing that student to conduct a solo flight.

Pre-solo flight training. Prior to conducting a solo flight, a student pilot must have:

  • Received and logged flight training for the maneuvers and procedures described in § 61.87 Solo requirements for student pilots that are appropriate to the make and model of aircraft to be flown; and 
  • Demonstrated satisfactory proficiency and safety, as judged by an authorized instructor, on the maneuvers and procedures required by this section in the make and model of aircraft or similar make and model of aircraft to be flown.

Maneuvers and procedures for pre-solo flight training in a single-engine airplane. A student pilot who is receiving training for a single-engine airplane rating or privileges must receive and log flight training for the following maneuvers and procedures:

  • Proper flight preparation procedures, including preflight planning and preparation, powerplant operation, and aircraft systems;
  • Taxiing or surface operations, including runups;
  • Takeoffs and landings, including normal and crosswind;
  • Straight and level flight, and turns in both directions;
  • Climbs and climbing turns;
  • Airport traffic patterns, including entry and departure procedures;
  • Collision avoidance, windshear avoidance, and wake turbulence avoidance; 
  • Descents, with and without turns, using high and low drag configurations; 
  • Flight at various airspeeds from cruise to slow flight;
  • Stall entries from various flight attitudes and power combinations with recovery initiated at the first indication of a stall, and recovery from a full stall; 
  • Emergency procedures and equipment malfunctions;
  • Ground reference maneuvers;
  • Approaches to a landing area with simulated engine malfunctions;
  • Slips to a landing; and
  • Go-arounds.

Solo Endorsements:

Before a student is able to fly solo – Logbook endorsements are required before any solo operations are permitted:  The student’s logbook needs to be endorsed for:

  1. Pre Solo knowledge test – with wording to say that the pre-solo test has been satisfactorily completed.
  2. Solo Flight, for the specific make and model of aircraft with any limitations on the student flying solo. The logbook endorsement only lasts 90 days;

Student Restrictions and Limitations

  1. No Passengers: Student pilots cannot carry passengers.
  2. No Compensation: You cannot fly for compensation or hire.
  3. Visibility and Cloud Clearance: Specific visibility and cloud clearance requirements must be met.
  4. Supervised Operations: Some operations, such as flying in certain airspace, require specific endorsements from your CFI.

Resources:

  • FAA Website: Provides comprehensive information and resources on becoming a pilot.
  • Local Flight Schools: Many offer introductory flight lessons and tours to help you get started.
  • Pilot Communities: Join online forums or local pilot groups for support and advice.