PRIVATE PILOT AIRPLANE REQUIREMENTS - Single Engine Land - Solo and checkride training requirements

Sep 25, 2026

Private pilot airplane requirements for a single-engine land aircraft specify minimum flight hours across total time, dual training, and solo training. The document details required dual cross-country, night, instrument, and checkride-prep hours, plus solo cross-country, takeoff and landing, and airport/tower conditions. It defines timing for night, cross-country distance rules, and outlines FAR 61.87 solo student requirements including knowledge testing, instructor review, pre-solo training, and detailed maneuvers and procedures needed in a single-engine airplane.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages5

Reading Time13 min

AccessFree to download

PRIVATE PILOT AIRPLANE REQUIREMENTS - Single Engine Land

Simplified flight hour checklist

FAR 61.87 Solo requirements for student pilots

Pre-solo flight training maneuvers and procedures

Solo endorsements and logbook endorsements

PRIVATE PILOT AIRPLANE REQUIREMENTS Single Engine Land Simplified Flight Hours for Private Pilot Airplane Single Engine Land Checklist: Applicant needs to be able to show these times and the specific flights to the examiner Total flight time in any category and class of aircraft at least 40 hrs Dual flight training minimum in any aircraft at least 20 hrs including: 􀀡 3 hrs dual cross country in a single engine airplane 􀀡 3 hrs dual night time in a single engine airplane o Including one dual cross country night flight over 100 nm o Including 10 takeoffs and landings at night dual to full stop 􀀡 3 hrs dual instrument time (hood or actual) in single engine airplane 􀀡 3 hrs dual checkride prep in a single engine airplane in past 2 calendar months Solo flight minimum in single engine airplane 10 hrs including: 􀀡 5 hrs solo cross country time in single engine airplane o Including one flight over 150 nm total, 3 landing points, and at least one leg over 50 nm 􀀡 3 solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop at an airport with a working tower NightTime is any flight time between the end of evening civil twilight and the start of morning civil twilight. Easiest place to find these is [http://www.airnav.com/KRHV](http://www.airnav.com/KRHV) Cross Country flight must include a landing at an airport more than 50 nautical (not statute) miles from the original point of departure. Additional cross country requirements apply – e.g. night XC must be over 100nm total. The long solo XC has to include one leg of over 50 nm, plus be over 150 nm total. Sec. 61.87 Solo requirements for student pilots (a) General. A student pilot may not operate an aircraft in solo flight unless that student has met the requirements of this section. The term “solo flight” as used in this subpart means that flight time during which a student pilot is the sole occupant ofthe aircraft or that flight time during which the student performs the duties of a pilot in command ofa gas balloon or an airship requiring more than one pilot flight crewmember.(b) Aeronautical knowledge. A student pilot must demonstrate satisfactory aeronautical knowledge on a knowledge test that meets the requirements of this paragraph: (1) The test must address the student pilot's knowledge of— (i) Applicable sections of parts 61 and 91 ofthis chapter; (ii) Airspace rules and procedures for the airport where the solo flight will be performed; and (iii) Flight characteristics and operational limitations for the make and model of aircraft to be flown. (2) The student's authorized instructor must— (i) Administer the test; and (ii) At the conclusion of the test, review all incorrect answers with the student before authorizing that student to conduct a solo flight. (c) Pre-solo flight training. Prior to conducting a solo flight, a student pilot must have: (1) Received and logged flight training for the maneuvers and procedures ofthis section that are appropriate to the make and model of aircraft to be flown; and (2) 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. (d) 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: (1) Proper flight preparation procedures, including preflight planning and preparation, powerplant operation, and aircraft systems; (2) Taxiing or surface operations, including runups; (3) Takeoffs and landings, including normal and crosswind; (4) Straight and level flight, and turns in both directions; (5) Climbs and climbing turns; (6) Airport traffic patterns, including entry and departure procedures; (7) Collision avoidance, windshear avoid

FAQs

What is the minimum total flight time for a private pilot single-engine land applicant?

The checklist requires at least 40 hours total flight time in any category and class of aircraft.

What dual training hours are required before solo and checkride preparation?

Dual training must include at least 20 hours total, including specified cross-country, night, instrument (hood or actual), and checkride-prep time within the past 2 calendar months.

What do FAR 61.87 rules require for a student pilot to fly solo?

A student pilot must meet section requirements, demonstrate aeronautical knowledge on an approved knowledge test with instructor review of incorrect answers, complete pre-solo training with logged instruction, and demonstrate required proficiency judged by an authorized instructor.

Sep 25, 2026

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