§ 61.49 Retesting after failure - Training and retesting requirements

Sep 25, 2026

§ 61.49 sets rules for reapplying after failing a knowledge or practical test under 14 CFR Part 61. It requires an applicant to complete necessary training from an authorized instructor who determines readiness, and to obtain an endorsement based on additional training. For flight instructor applicants, it adds specific conditions when the practical test failure relates to instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins, or spin recovery, including aircraft suitability and a satisfactory instructional demonstration during retesting.

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§ 61.49 Retesting after failure

Reapply requirements after failing a test

Flight instructor practical test retesting conditions

§ 61 .49 14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–14 Edition) the carriage of passengers that are specified in this chapter. [Doc. No. 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61–103, 62 FR 40897, July 30, 1997] § 61.49 Retesting after failure. (a) An applicant for a knowledge or practical test who fails that test may reapply for the test only after the applicant has received: (1) The necessary training from an authorized instructor who has determined that the applicant is proficient to pass the test; and (2) An endorsement from an authorized instructor who gave the applicant the additional training. (b) An applicant for a flight instructor certificate with an airplane category rating or, for a flight instructor certificate with a glider category rating, who has failed the practical test due to deficiencies in instructional proficiency on stall awareness, spin entry, spins, or spin recovery must: (1) Comply with the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section before being retested; (2) Bring an aircraft to the retest that is of the appropriate aircraft category for the rating sought and is certificated for spins; and (3) Demonstrate satisfactory instructional proficiency on stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery to an examiner during the retest. § 61.51 Pilot logbooks. (a) Training time and aeronautical experience. Each person must document and record the following time in a manner acceptable to the Administrator: (1) Training and aeronautical experience used to meet the requirements fora certificate, rating, or flight review of this part. (2) The aeronautical experience required for meeting the recent flight experience requirements of this part. (b) Logbook entries. For the purposes of meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section, each person must enter the following information for each flight or lesson logged: (1) General— (i) Date. (ii) Total flight time or lesson time. (iii) Location where the aircraft departed and arrived, or for lessons in a flight simulator or flight training device, the location where the lesson occurred. (iv) Type and identification of aircraft, flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device, as appropriate. (v) The name of a safety pilot, if required by § 91 .109 of this chapter. (2) Type of pilot experience or training— (i) Solo. (ii) Pilot in command. (iii) Second in command. (iv) Flight and ground training received from an authorized instructor. (v) Training received in a flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device from an authorized instructor. (3) Conditions of flight— (i) Day or night. (ii) Actual instrument. (iii) Simulated instrument conditions in flight, a flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device. (iv) Use of night vision goggles in an aircraft in flight, in a flight simulator, or in a flight training device. (c) Logging of pilot time. The pilot time described in this section may be used to: (1) Apply for a certificate or rating issued under this part or a privilege authorized under this part; or (2) Satisfy the recent flight experience requirements of this part. (d) Logging of solo flight time. Except for a student pilot performing the duties of pilot in command of an airship requiring more than one pilot flight crewmember, a pilot may log as solo flight time only that flight time when the pilot is the sole occupant of the aircraft. (e) Logging pilot-in-command flight time. (1) A sport, recreational, private, commercial, or airline transport pilot may log pilot in command flight time for flights- (i) When the pilot is the sole manipulator of the controls of an aircraft for which the pilot is rated, or has sport pilot privileges for that category and class of aircraft, if the aircraft class rating is appropriate; Federal Aviation Administration, DOT § 61 .51 (ii) When the pilot is the sole occupant in the aircraft; (iii) When t

FAQs

What must an applicant complete before reapplying after failing a knowledge or practical test?

The applicant must receive necessary training from an authorized instructor who determines the applicant is proficient, and obtain an endorsement from an authorized instructor after the additional training.

What additional retesting steps apply to flight instructor applicants after failing for instructional proficiency issues in stall awareness or spins?

They must comply with the paragraph (a) requirements first, retest using an appropriately certificated aircraft suitable for the rating category and certificated for spins, and demonstrate satisfactory instructional proficiency on the specified stall and spin topics during the retest.

When can flight instructor retesting be conducted regarding the aircraft?

Retesting must use an aircraft of the appropriate category for the rating sought and that is certificated for spins.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Alex Sinclair