Are you currently a student pilot studying for your private pilot written exam or your private pilot check ride? We have created a comprehensive online study guide for student pilots based on the Airman Certification Standards (ACS), which is used by designated pilot examiners from the FAA when conducting private pilot check rides. Also be sure to check out our private pilot written mock exam featuring questions you may see on your private pilot written knowledge test. Take the exam here: Private Pilot Practice Test – Evergreen Skyworks
Suggested resources for studying include the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge (PHAK), and the FAR/AIM.
In this article, we will cover the key Part 61 regulations you need to know to pass your private pilot written test and check ride. Part 61 regulations cover the certification of airman and there are some key points which you will need to know. There are several questions pertaining to Part 61 regulations that you will likely be asked on your private pilot written knowledge test and/or your private pilot check ride.
We’ll give a brief outline of the specific Part 61 regulations you will need to know and give a summary of each. However, student pilots should get a FAR/AIM book and study the regulations until they have a fundamental understanding of Part 61.
Here are some of the Part 61 regulations you will be expected to know for your FAA private pilot written test and oral portion of the private pilot check ride.
FAR 61.113 – Private Pilot Privileges
First, let’s start with how you can use your private pilot license once you get it. Per FAR 61.113, private pilots may not be paid to fly. As a private pilot, you must pay at least the share of the operating expenses for a flight when you are carrying passengers.
“A private pilot may not pay less than the pro rata share of the operating expenses of a flight with passengers
A private pilot may act as pilot in command of an aircraft used in a passenger-carrying airlift sponsored by a charitable organization, for which the passengers make a donation to the organization.”
FAR 61.15 – Offenses involving drugs or alcohol.
FAR 61.15 relates to what can happen to your pilot certificate or application for a pilot certificate for offenses involving drug or alcohol convictions.
“A conviction for the violation of any Federal or State statute relating to the growing, processing, manufacture, sale, disposition, possession, transportation, or importation of narcotic drugs, marijuana, or depressant or stimulant drugs or substances is grounds for:
(1) Denial of an application for any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part for a period of up to 1 year after the date of final conviction; or
(2) Suspension or revocation of any certificate, rating, or authorization issued under this part.”
FAR 61.19 – Duration of pilot and instructor certificates and privileges
FAR 61.19 details the duration of a student pilot certificate. You will be happy to know that a student pilot certificate never expires.
“A student pilot certificate issued after April 1, 2016, under part 61.19 is issued without a specific expiration date.”
FAR 61.23 – FAA Medical Certificates and Flying under Basic Med.
Do you know what medical class you need to fly for the airlines? Do you know how long your medical lasts? FAR 61.23 spells out the different classes of medical certificates, their specific durations, and what you can and can’t do while flying with a specific type of medical like a 3rd class medical. This regulation also covers the types of flight operations that do not require a medical certificate. If you are a sport pilot or looking to fly gliders, you may be able to fly with just a driver’s license instead of a medical if you meet certain requirements!
1st Class Medical
| Class | 1st Class | ||
| Age | If used for: ATP | If used for: Commercial | If used for: Personal |
| Under 40 | 12 months | 12 months | 60 months |
| 40 and Older | 6 months | 12 months | 24 months |
Pilots who fly large passenger jets as an airline transport pilot (ATP) will need to get a 1st class medical. The first-class medical has the most stringent medical requirements and expires sooner than a lower class of medical. If under the age of 40, first class medicals are good for 12 calendar months if used for ATP or commercial operations and 60 calendar months if used for personal or business flying. If over the age of 40, first class medicals are good for six calendar months when used for ATP operations and twelve months when used for commercial operations. First class medicals are good for 24 calendar months if over the age of 40 and used for personal or business flying.
2nd Class Medical
| Class | 2nd Class | |
| Age | If used for: Commercial | If used for: Personal |
| Under 40 | 12 months | 60 months |
| 40 and Older | 12 months | 24 months |
A second-class medical is needed for commercial pilots flying for hire. Second-class medicals are needed for flying cargo or any other commercial pilot job that is not flying as an airline transport pilot. If under the age of 40, second-class medicals are good for 12 calendar months if used for commercial operations and 60 calendar months if used for personal or business flying. If over the age of 40, second-class medicals are good for 12 calendar months when used for commercial operations and 24 months when used for personal or business flying.
3rd Class Medical
| Class | 3rd Class |
| Age | Personal |
| Under 40 | 60 months |
| 40 and Older | 24 months |
A third-class medical is needed for recreational, personal, and business flying. Third class medicals are for those airmen who are not using their pilot certificate for commercial operations. Third class medicals may only be used for personal, business, or recreational flying, non-commercial operations, and are good for 60 calendar months if under the age of 40 and 24 calendar months if over the age of 40.
Basic Med
Basic Med is not specifically listed under Part 61 but the requirements relating to its use are found in FAR 61 and FAR Part 68, so we’ll mention it in this article.
According to the Federal Aviation Administration, BasicMed is an “alternate way for pilots to fly without holding an FAA medical certificate if the pilot meets certain requirements.”
Flying under BasicMed was designed to make it easier for pilots having previously held an FAA medical to fly without having to go through the process of obtaining and keeping an FAA medical certificate.
To fly under BasicMed:
- a pilot must have held an FAA medical certificate any time after July 14, 2006.
- The pilot must hold a valid U.S. driver’s license and complete an FAA medical exam checklist with a licensed physician every four years.
- Pilots flying under BasicMed must also complete a BasicMed online course.
- There are two ways to take the BasicMed online course.
- The course can be completed at basicmedicalcourse.aopa.org or basicmed.mayo.edu.
Here is a list of the aircraft and operating requirements when flying under BasicMed.
The aircraft must not hold more than six occupants, including the pilot, so a pilot flying under BasicMed can fly with no more than five passengers.
The aircraft must have a max certificated takeoff weight of no more than 6,000 pounds.
Flights under BasicMed may be operated in VFR or IFR conditions but may only be operated in the United States at altitudes at or below 18,000 feet MSL.
In addition, max airspeed when flying under BasicMed is 250 knots, and pilots may not be compensated or fly for hire when using BasicMed in lieu of an FAA medical certificate.
FAR 61.3 – Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations
Obviously, it is a good idea to always have your pilot certificate when flying. 61.3 states that a pilot must have a current pilot certification on their personal possession or readily available in the aircraft. Pilots will need to present their pilot certification and medical to local law enforcement if requested.
“Pilots in command or required crewmember must have current pilot certification in personal possession or readily accessible in the aircraft.
Each person who holds a pilot certificate or a medical certificate shall present it for inspection upon the request of local law enforcement. “
FAR 61.31 – Type Ratings and High-Performance Airplanes
Be sure to study FAR 61.31 if you plan to fly high performance airplanes that have more than 200 horsepower and weigh more than 12,500 pounds.
A high-performance airplane is an airplane with an engine of more than 200 horsepower. A person who acts as a pilot in command of a large aircraft, defined as more than 12,500 lbs., must hold a type rating for that aircraft.
FAR 61.56 – Flight Review Required Every 2 Years
Do you know how often you need a flight review? Hint, you can find this information in FAR 61.56 which details the requirements for flight reviews.
“No person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft unless, since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month in which that pilot acts as pilot in command, that person has:
- Accomplished a flight review given in an aircraft for which that pilot is rated by an authorized instructor and
- A logbook endorsed from an authorized instructor who gave the review certifying that the person has satisfactorily completed the review.”
FAR 61.57 – Recent flight experience
Do you know the currency requirements to be able to fly passengers? Check out FAR 61.57 to find this information.
“No person may act as a pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers or of an aircraft certificated for more than one pilot flight crewmember unless that person has made at least three takeoffs and three landings within the preceding 90 days, and—
(i) The person acted as the sole manipulator of the flight controls; and
(ii) The required takeoffs and landings were performed in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if a type rating is required), and, if the aircraft to be flown is an airplane with a tailwheel, the takeoffs and landings must have been made to a full stop in an airplane with a tailwheel.
No person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers during the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise, unless within the preceding 90 days that person has made at least three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop during the period beginning 1 hour after sunset and ending 1 hour before sunrise, and—
(i) That person acted as sole manipulator of the flight controls; and
(ii) The required takeoffs and landings were performed in an aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if a type rating is required).”
FAR 61.60 – Change of Address
Part 61.6 covers address change requirements. A pilot must notify the FAA within 30 days of a permanent change of mailing address or he cannot exercise the privilege of his certificate.
FAR 61.69 – Towing Gliders
A certificated private pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft towing a glider unless there is entered in the pilot’s logbook a minimum of 100 hours of pilot-in-command time in the aircraft category, class, and type, if required, that the pilot is using to tow a glider.
To act as pilot in command of an aircraft towing a glider, a pilot is required to have made within the preceding 12 months, at least 3 actual or simulated glider tows while accompanied by a qualified pilot.
Hope this helps you to navigate through the Federal Aviation Regulations. Check out our video explaining all the Part 61 regulations you need to know to ace your private pilot written exam.