PART 61—CERTIFICATION: PILOTS, FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND GROUND INSTRUCTORS - Applicability and definitions

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine

Federal Aviation Administration DOT Part 61 establishes rules for the certification of pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors, including applicability, exercise of privilege, certificate and rating requirements, and the qualification and approval of flight simulators and flight training devices. The text defines operational and measurement terms used across the part, such as rotor RPM expressed as percent of maximum, approach and visual indicators, airspeed and climb/descent rates, and compliance statements. It also lists subpart topics, from issuance and duration of certificates through medical, testing, and training limitations.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages8

Reading Time20 min

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PART 61—CERTIFICATION: PILOTS, FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND GROUND INSTRUCTORS

Subpart A—General

Sec. 61.1 Applicability and definitions

Sec. 61.2 Exercise of Privilege

Sec. 61.3 Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations

Sec. 61.4 Qualification and approval of flight simulators and flight training devices

Sec. 61.5 Certificates and ratings issued under this part

Sec. 61.7 Obsolete certificates and ratings

Sec. 61.8 Inapplicability of unmanned aircraft operations

Sec. 61.11 Expired pilot certificates and reissuance

Sec. 61.13 Issuance of airman certificates, ratings, and authorizations

Sec. 61.14 Incorporation by Reference

Sec. 61.15 Offenses involving alcohol or drugs

Sec. 61.16 Refusal to submit to an alcohol test or to furnish test results

Sec. 61.17 Temporary certificate

Sec. 61.19 Duration of pilot and instructor certificates and privileges

Sec. 61.21 Duration of a Category II and a Category III pilot authorization

Federal Aviation Administration, DOT Pt. 61 N1 Low Pressure Rotor revolutions per minute, expressed in percent of maximum. N2 High Pressure Rotor revolutions per minute, expressed in percent of maximum. N3 High Pressure Rotor revolutions per minute, expressed in percent of maximum. NWA Nosewheel Angle (degrees) . OGE Out of ground effect. PAPI Precision Approach Path Indicator System. Pf Impact or Feel Pressure, often expressed as ‘‘q.’’ PLA Power Lever Angle. PLF Power for Level Flight. psi pounds per square inch. QPS Qualification Performance Standard. QTG Qualification Test Guide. RAE Royal Aerospace Establishment. R/C Rate of Climb (meters/sec or feet/min) . R/D Rate of Descent (meters/sec or feet/ min) . REIL Runway End Identifier Lights. RVR Runway Visual Range (meters or feet) . s second(s) . sec(s) second, seconds. sm Statute Mile(s) 1 Statute Mile = 5,280 feet. SMGCS Surface Movement Guidance and Control System. SOC Statement of Compliance and Capability. SOQ Statement of Qualification. TIR Type Inspection Report. TLOF Touchdown and Loft Off area. T/O Takeoff. VASI Visual Approach Slope Indicator System. VGS Visual Ground Segment. V1 Decision speed. V2 Takeoff safety speed. Vmc Minimum Control Speed. Vmca Minimum Control Speed in the air. Vmcg Minimum Control Speed on the ground. Vmcl Minimum Control Speed—Landing. Vmu The speed at which the last main landing gear leaves the ground. VR Rotate Speed. VS Stall Speed or minimum speed in the stall. WAT Weight, Altitude, Temperature. END QPS REQUIREMENTS [Docket FAA–2002–12461, 73 FR 26490, May 9, 2008, as amended by Docket FAA–2022–1355, Amdt. 60–7, 87 FR 75845, Dec. 9, 2022] PART 61—CERTIFICATION: PILOTS, FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS, AND GROUND INSTRUCTORS EFFECTIVE DATE NOTE: Amendments to part 61 were published by Docket FAA–2023– 1275, Amdt. 60–8, 89 FR 92483, Nov. 21, 2024, effective Jan. 21, 2025. SPECIAL FEDERAL AVIATION REGULATION NO. 73 Subpart A—General Sec. 61.1 Applicability and definitions. 61.2 Exercise of Privilege. 61.3 Requirement for certificates, ratings, and authorizations. 61.4 Qualification and approval of flight simulators and flight training devices. 61.5 Certificates and ratings issued under this part. 61.7 Obsolete certificates and ratings. 61.8 Inapplicability of unmanned aircraft operations. 61.9 [Reserved] 61.11 Expired pilot certificates andreissuance. 61.13 Issuance of airman certificates, ratings, and authorizations. 61.14 Incorporation by Reference. 61.15 Offenses involving alcohol or drugs. 61.16 Refusal to submit to an alcohol test orto furnish test results. 61.17 Temporary certificate. 61.18 [Reserved] 61.19 Duration of pilot and instructor certificates and privileges. 61.21 Duration of a Category II and a Category III pilot authorization (for other than part 121 and part 135 use) . 61.23 Medical certificates: Requirement and duration. 61.25 Change of name. 61.27 Voluntary surrender or exchange of certificate. 61.29 Replacement of a lost or destroyed airman or medical certificate or knowledge test report. 61.31 Type rating requirements, additional training, and authorization requirements. 61.33 Tests: General procedure. 61.35 Knowledge test: Prerequisites and passing grades. 61.37 Knowledge tests: Cheating or other unauthorized conduct. 61.39 Prerequisites for practical tests. 61.40 Relief for U. S. military and civilian personnel who are assigned outside the United States in support of U. S. Armed Forces operations. 61.41 Flight training received from flight instructors not certificated by the FAA. 61.43 Practical tests: General procedures. 61.45 Practical tests: Required aircraft and equipment. 61.47 Status of an examiner who is authorized by the Administrator to conduct practical tests. 61.49 Retesting after failure. 61.51 Pilot logbooks. Pt. 61 14 CFR Ch. I (1–1–25 Edition) 61.52 Use of aer

FAQs

What does Part 61—Certification cover?

It covers certification rules for pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors, including the conditions for certificates, ratings, and authorizations.

What are the main eligibility and privilege requirements addressed in Subpart A?

Subpart A includes applicability and definitions, exercise of privilege, and requirements for certificates, ratings, and authorizations.

How does Part 61 treat flight simulator and training device qualification?

It includes requirements for the qualification and approval of flight simulators and flight training devices.

Sep 25, 2026

Uploaded by Jasmine