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540 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 61.109 

(v) Performance maneuvers; 
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers; 
(vii) Navigation; 
(viii) Slow flight and stalls; 
(ix) Night operations, except as pro-

vided in § 61.110; 

(x) Emergency operations; and 
(xi) Post-flight procedures. 

[Doc. No. 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as 
amended by Amdt. 61–110, 69 FR 44868, July 
27, 2004] 

§ 61.109

Aeronautical experience. 

(a) 

For an airplane single-engine rat-

ing.  Except as provided in paragraph 
(k) of this section, a person who applies 
for a private pilot certificate with an 
airplane category and single-engine 
class rating must log at least 40 hours 
of flight time that includes at least 20 
hours of flight training from an au-
thorized instructor and 10 hours of solo 
flight training in the areas of operation 
listed in § 61.107(b)(1) of this part, and 
the training must include at least— 

(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight 

training in a single-engine airplane; 

(2) Except as provided in § 61.110 of 

this part, 3 hours of night flight train-
ing in a single-engine airplane that in-
cludes— 

(i) One cross-country flight of over 

100 nautical miles total distance; and 

(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a 

full stop (with each landing involving a 
flight in the traffic pattern) at an air-
port. 

(3) 3 hours of flight training in a sin-

gle-engine airplane on the control and 
maneuvering of an airplane solely by 
reference to instruments, including 
straight and level flight, constant air-
speed climbs and descents, turns to a 
heading, recovery from unusual flight 
attitudes, radio communications, and 
the use of navigation systems/facilities 
and radar services appropriate to in-
strument flight; 

(4) 3 hours of flight training with an 

authorized instructor in a single-en-
gine airplane in preparation for the 
practical test, which must have been 
performed within the preceding 2 cal-
endar months from the month of the 
test; and 

(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a 

single-engine airplane, consisting of at 
least— 

(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time; 

(ii) One solo cross country flight of 

150 nautical miles total distance, with 
full-stop landings at three points, and 
one segment of the flight consisting of 
a straight-line distance of more than 50 
nautical miles between the takeoff and 
landing locations; and 

(iii) Three takeoffs and three land-

ings to a full stop (with each landing 
involving a flight in the traffic pat-
tern) at an airport with an operating 
control tower. 

(b) 

For an airplane multiengine rating. 

Except as provided in paragraph (k) of 
this section, a person who applies for a 
private pilot certificate with an air-
plane category and multiengine class 
rating must log at least 40 hours of 
flight time that includes at least 20 
hours of flight training from an au-
thorized instructor and 10 hours of solo 
flight training in the areas of operation 
listed in § 61.107(b)(2) of this part, and 
the training must include at least— 

(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight 

training in a multiengine airplane; 

(2) Except as provided in § 61.110 of 

this part, 3 hours of night flight train-
ing in a multiengine airplane that in-
cludes— 

(i) One cross-country flight of over 

100 nautical miles total distance; and 

(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a 

full stop (with each landing involving a 
flight in the traffic pattern) at an air-
port. 

(3) 3 hours of flight training in a mul-

tiengine airplane on the control and 
maneuvering of an airplane solely by 
reference to instruments, including 
straight and level flight, constant air-
speed climbs and descents, turns to a 
heading, recovery from unusual flight 
attitudes, radio communications, and 
the use of navigation systems/facilities 
and radar services appropriate to in-
strument flight; 

(4) 3 hours of flight training with an 

authorized instructor in a multiengine 
airplane in preparation for the prac-
tical test, which must have been per-
formed within the preceding 2 calendar 
months from the month of the test; 
and 

(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in an 

airplane consisting of at least— 

(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time; 
(ii) One solo cross country flight of 

150 nautical miles total distance, with 

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541 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 61.109 

full-stop landings at three points, and 
one segment of the flight consisting of 
a straight-line distance of more than 50 
nautical miles between the takeoff and 
landing locations; and 

(iii) Three takeoffs and three land-

ings to a full stop (with each landing 
involving a flight in the traffic pat-
tern) at an airport with an operating 
control tower. 

(c) 

For a helicopter rating. Except as 

provided in paragraph (k) of this sec-
tion, a person who applies for a private 
pilot certificate with rotorcraft cat-
egory and helicopter class rating must 
log at least 40 hours of flight time that 
includes at least 20 hours of flight 
training from an authorized instructor 
and 10 hours of solo flight training in 
the areas of operation listed in 
§ 61.107(b)(3) of this part, and the train-
ing must include at least— 

(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight 

training in a helicopter; 

(2) Except as provided in § 61.110 of 

this part, 3 hours of night flight train-
ing in a helicopter that includes— 

(i) One cross-country flight of over 50 

nautical miles total distance; and 

(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a 

full stop (with each landing involving a 
flight in the traffic pattern) at an air-
port. 

(3) 3 hours of flight training with an 

authorized instructor in a helicopter in 
preparation for the practical test, 
which must have been performed with-
in the preceding 2 calendar months 
from the month of the test; and 

(4) 10 hours of solo flight time in a 

helicopter, consisting of at least— 

(i) 3 hours cross-country time; 
(ii) One solo cross country flight of 

100 nautical miles total distance, with 
landings at three points, and one seg-
ment of the flight being a straight-line 
distance of more than 25 nautical miles 
between the takeoff and landing loca-
tions; and 

(iii) Three takeoffs and three land-

ings to a full stop (with each landing 
involving a flight in the traffic pat-
tern) at an airport with an operating 
control tower. 

(d) 

For a gyroplane rating. Except as 

provided in paragraph (k) of this sec-
tion, a person who applies for a private 
pilot certificate with rotorcraft cat-
egory and gyroplane class rating must 

log at least 40 hours of flight time that 
includes at least 20 hours of flight 
training from an authorized instructor 
and 10 hours of solo flight training in 
the areas of operation listed in 
§ 61.107(b)(4) of this part, and the train-
ing must include at least— 

(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight 

training in a gyroplane; 

(2) Except as provided in § 61.110 of 

this part, 3 hours of night flight train-
ing in a gyroplane that includes— 

(i) One cross-country flight of over 50 

nautical miles total distance; and 

(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a 

full stop (with each landing involving a 
flight in the traffic pattern) at an air-
port. 

(3) 3 hours of flight training with an 

authorized instructor in a gyroplane in 
preparation for the practical test, 
which must have been performed with-
in the preceding 2 calendar months 
from the month of the test; and 

(4) 10 hours of solo flight time in a 

gyroplane, consisting of at least— 

(i) 3 hours of cross-country time; 
(ii) One solo cross country flight of 

100 nautical miles total distance, with 
landings at three points, and one seg-
ment of the flight being a straight-line 
distance of more than 25 nautical miles 
between the takeoff and landing loca-
tions; and 

(iii) Three takeoffs and three land-

ings to a full stop (with each landing 
involving a flight in the traffic pat-
tern) at an airport with an operating 
control tower. 

(e) 

For a powered-lift rating. Except as 

provided in paragraph (k) of this sec-
tion, a person who applies for a private 
pilot certificate with a powered-lift 
category rating must log at least 40 
hours of flight time that includes at 
least 20 hours of flight training from an 
authorized instructor and 10 hours of 
solo flight training in the areas of op-
eration listed in § 61.107(b)(5) of this 
part, and the training must include at 
least— 

(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight 

training in a powered-lift; 

(2) Except as provided in § 61.110 of 

this part, 3 hours of night flight train-
ing in a powered-lift that includes— 

(i) One cross-country flight of over 

100 nautical miles total distance; and 

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542 

14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 61.109 

(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a 

full stop (with each landing involving a 
flight in the traffic pattern) at an air-
port. 

(3) 3 hours of flight training in a pow-

ered-lift on the control and maneu-
vering of a powered-lift solely by ref-
erence to instruments, including 
straight and level flight, constant air-
speed climbs and descents, turns to a 
heading, recovery from unusual flight 
attitudes, radio communications, and 
the use of navigation systems/facilities 
and radar services appropriate to in-
strument flight; 

(4) 3 hours of flight training with an 

authorized instructor in a powered-lift 
in preparation for the practical test, 
which must have been performed with-
in the preceding 2 calendar months 
from the month of the test; and 

(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in an 

airplane or powered-lift consisting of 
at least— 

(i) 5 hours cross-country time; 
(ii) One solo cross country flight of 

150 nautical miles total distance, with 
full-stop landings at three points, and 
one segment of the flight consisting of 
a straight-line distance of more than 50 
nautical miles between the takeoff and 
landing locations; and 

(iii) Three takeoffs and three land-

ings to a full stop (with each landing 
involving a flight in the traffic pat-
tern) at an airport with an operating 
control tower. 

(f) 

For a glider category rating. (1) If 

the applicant for a private pilot certifi-
cate with a glider category rating has 
not logged at least 40 hours of flight 
time as a pilot in a heavier-than-air 
aircraft, the applicant must log at 
least 10 hours of flight time in a glider 
in the areas of operation listed in 
§ 61.107(b)(6) of this part, and that flight 
time must include at least— 

(i) 20 flights in a glider in the areas of 

operations listed in § 61.107(b)(6) of this 
part, including at least 3 training 
flights with an authorized instructor in 
a glider in preparation for the practical 
test that must have been performed 
within the preceding 2 calendar months 
from the month of the test; and 

(ii) 2 hours of solo flight time in a 

glider in the areas of operation listed 
in § 61.107(b)(6) of this part, with not 

less than 10 launches and landings 
being performed. 

(2) If the applicant has logged at 

least 40 hours of flight time in a heav-
ier-than-air aircraft, the applicant 
must log at least 3 hours of flight time 
in a glider in the areas of operation 
listed in § 61.107(b)(6) of this part, and 
that flight time must include at least— 

(i) 10 solo flights in a glider in the 

areas of operation listed in § 61.107(b)(6) 
of this part; and 

(ii) 3 training flights with an author-

ized instructor in a glider in prepara-
tion for the practical test that must 
have been performed within the pre-
ceding 2 calendar months from the 
month of the test. 

(g) 

For an airship rating. A person who 

applies for a private pilot certificate 
with a lighter-than-air category and 
airship class rating must log at least: 

(1) 25 hours of flight training in air-

ships on the areas of operation listed in 
§ 61.107(b)(7) of this part, which consists 
of at least: 

(i) 3 hours of cross-country flight 

training in an airship; 

(ii) Except as provided in § 61.110 of 

this part, 3 hours of night flight train-
ing in an airship that includes: 

(A) A cross-country flight of over 25 

nautical miles total distance; and 

(B) Five takeoffs and five landings to 

a full stop (with each landing involving 
a flight in the traffic pattern) at an 
airport. 

(2) 3 hours of flight training in an air-

ship on the control and maneuvering of 
an airship solely by reference to instru-
ments, including straight and level 
flight, constant airspeed climbs and de-
scents, turns to a heading, recovery 
from unusual flight attitudes, radio 
communications, and the use of navi-
gation systems/facilities and radar 
services appropriate to instrument 
flight; 

(3) Three hours of flight training 

with an authorized instructor in an air-
ship in preparation for the practical 
test within the preceding 2 calendar 
months from the month of the test; 
and 

(4) 5 hours performing the duties of 

pilot in command in an airship with an 
authorized instructor. 

(h) 

For a balloon rating. A person who 

applies for a private pilot certificate 

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543 

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT 

§ 61.109 

with a lighter-than-air category and 
balloon class rating must log at least 
10 hours of flight training that includes 
at least six training flights with an au-
thorized instructor in the areas of op-
eration listed in § 61.107(b)(8) of this 
part, that includes— 

(1) 

Gas balloon. If the training is 

being performed in a gas balloon, at 
least two flights of 2 hours each that 
consists of— 

(i) At least one training flight with 

an authorized instructor in a gas bal-
loon in preparation for the practical 
test within the preceding 2 calendar 
months from the month of the test; 

(ii) At least one flight performing the 

duties of pilot in command in a gas bal-
loon with an authorized instructor; and 

(iii) At least one flight involving a 

controlled ascent to 3,000 feet above 
the launch site. 

(2) 

Balloon with an airborne heater. If 

the training is being performed in a 
balloon with an airborne heater, at 
least— 

(i) At least two training flights of 1 

hour each with an authorized instruc-
tor in a balloon with an airborne heat-
er in preparation for the practical test 
within the preceding 2 calendar months 
from the month of the test; 

(ii) One solo flight in a balloon with 

an airborne heater; and 

(iii) At least one flight involving a 

controlled ascent to 2,000 feet above 
the launch site. 

(i) 

For a powered parachute rating. 

person who applies for a private pilot 
certificate with a powered parachute 
category rating must log at least 25 
hours of flight time in a powered para-
chute that includes at least 10 hours of 
flight training with an authorized in-
structor, including 30 takeoffs and 
landings, and 10 hours of solo flight 
training in the areas of operation listed 
in § 61.107 (b)(9) and the training must 
include at least— 

(1) One hour of cross-country flight 

training in a powered parachute that 
includes a 1-hour cross-country flight 
with a landing at an airport at least 25 
nautical miles from the airport of de-
parture; 

(2) Except as provided in § 61.110, 3 

hours of night flight training in a pow-
ered parachute that includes 10 take-
offs and landings (with each landing in-

volving a flight in the traffic pattern) 
at an airport; 

(3) Three hours of flight training 

with an authorized instructor in a pow-
ered parachute in preparation for the 
practical test, which must have been 
performed within the preceding 2 cal-
endar months from the month of the 
test; 

(4) Three hours of solo flight time in 

a powered parachute, consisting of at 
least— 

(i) One solo cross-country flight with 

a landing at an airport at least 25 nau-
tical miles from the departure airport; 
and 

(ii) Twenty solo takeoffs and land-

ings to a full stop (with each landing 
involving a flight in a traffic pattern) 
at an airport; and 

(5) Three takeoffs and landings (with 

each landing involving a flight in the 
traffic pattern) in an aircraft at an air-
port with an operating control tower. 

(j) 

For a weight-shift-control aircraft 

rating.  A person who applies for a pri-
vate pilot certificate with a weight- 
shift-control rating must log at least 40 
hours of flight time that includes at 
least 20 hours of flight training with an 
authorized instructor and 10 hours of 
solo flight training in the areas of op-
eration listed in § 61.107(b)(10) and the 
training must include at least— 

(1) Three hours of cross-country 

flight training in a weight-shift-con-
trol aircraft; 

(2) Except as provided in § 61.110, 3 

hours of night flight training in a 
weight-shift-control aircraft that in-
cludes— 

(i) One cross-country flight of over 75 

nautical miles total distance that in-
cludes a point of landing that is a 
straight-line distance of more than 50 
nautical miles from the original point 
of departure; and 

(ii) Ten takeoffs and landings (with 

each landing involving a flight in the 
traffic pattern) at an airport; 

(3) Three hours of flight training 

with an authorized instructor in a 
weight-shift-control aircraft in prepa-
ration for the practical test, which 
must have been performed within the 
preceding 2 calendar months from the 
month of the test; 

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14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–24 Edition) 

§ 61.110 

(4) Ten hours of solo flight time in a 

weight-shift-control aircraft, con-
sisting of at least— 

(i) Five hours of solo cross-country 

time; and 

(ii) One solo cross-country flight over 

100 nautical miles total distance, with 
landings at a minimum of three points, 
and one segment of the flight being a 
straight line distance of at least 50 
nautical miles between takeoff and 
landing locations; and 

(5) Three takeoffs and landings (with 

each landing involving a flight in the 
traffic pattern) in an aircraft at an air-
port with an operating control tower. 

(k) 

Permitted credit for use of a full 

flight simulator or flight training device. 
(1) Except as provided in paragraphs 
(k)(2) of this section, a maximum of 2.5 
hours of training in a full flight simu-
lator or flight training device rep-
resenting the category, class, and type, 
if applicable, of aircraft appropriate to 
the rating sought, may be credited to-
ward the flight training time required 
by this section, if received from an au-
thorized instructor. 

(2) A maximum of 5 hours of training 

in a flight simulator or flight training 
device representing the category, class, 
and type, if applicable, of aircraft ap-
propriate to the rating sought, may be 
credited toward the flight training 
time required by this section if the 
training is accomplished in a course 
conducted by a training center certifi-
cated under part 142 of this chapter. 

(3) Except when fewer hours are ap-

proved by the Administrator, an appli-
cant for a private pilot certificate with 
an airplane, rotorcraft, or powered-lift 
rating, who has satisfactorily com-
pleted an approved private pilot course 
conducted by a training center certifi-
cated under part 142 of this chapter, 
need only have a total of 35 hours of 
aeronautical experience to meet the re-
quirements of this section. 

(l) 

Permitted credit for flight training 

received from a flight instructor with a 
sport pilot rating. 
The holder of a sport 
pilot certificate may credit flight 
training received from a flight instruc-
tor with a sport pilot rating toward the 
aeronautical experience requirements 
of this section if the following condi-
tions are met: 

(1) The flight training was accom-

plished in the same category and class 
of aircraft for which the rating is 
sought; 

(2) The flight instructor with a sport 

pilot rating was authorized to provide 
the flight training; and 

(3) The flight training included ei-

ther— 

(i) Training on areas of operation 

that are required for both a sport pilot 
certificate and a private pilot certifi-
cate; or 

(ii) For airplanes with a V

H

greater 

than 87 knots CAS, training on the con-
trol and maneuvering of an airplane 
solely by reference to the flight instru-
ments, including straight and level 
flight, turns, descents, climbs, use of 
radio aids, and ATC directives, pro-
vided the training was received from a 
flight instructor with a sport pilot rat-
ing who holds an endorsement required 
by § 61.412(c). 

[Doc. No. 25910, 62 FR 40902, July 30, 1997, as 
amended by Amdt. 61–104, 63 FR 20287, Apr. 
23, 1998; Amdt. 61–110, 69 FR 44868, July 27, 
2004; Amdt. 61–124, 74 FR 42558, Aug. 21, 2009; 
Amdt. 61–124A, 74 FR 53645, Oct. 20, 2009; 
Amdt. 61–125, 75 FR 5220, Feb. 1, 2010; Amdt. 
61–142, 83 FR 30278, June 27, 2018] 

§ 61.110

Night flying exceptions. 

(a) Subject to the limitations of 

paragraph (b) of this section, a person 
is not required to comply with the 
night flight training requirements of 
this subpart if the person receives 
flight training in and resides in the 
State of Alaska. 

(b) A person who receives flight 

training in and resides in the State of 
Alaska but does not meet the night 
flight training requirements of this 
section: 

(1) May be issued a pilot certificate 

with a limitation ‘‘Night flying prohib-
ited’’; and 

(2) Must comply with the appropriate 

night flight training requirements of 
this subpart within the 12-calendar- 
month period after the issuance of the 
pilot certificate. At the end of that pe-
riod, the certificate will become in-
valid for use until the person complies 
with the appropriate night training re-
quirements of this subpart. The person 

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