Student Pilot Guide - Change 1 (February 2016)

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Connor

A Student Pilot Guide by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration welcomes prospective student pilots to the general aviation community and explains how general aviation differs from air carrier operations. It provides “how to” guidance for obtaining FAA student pilot, sport pilot, recreational pilot, and private pilot certificates. The guide outlines key roles including the FAA and Flight Standards District Offices, discusses instructor and student responsibilities, and covers foundational requirements such as medical eligibility, knowledge tests, study materials, and test preparation. It also includes practical test standards and frequently asked questions.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages10

Reading Time25 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Role of the FAA

Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs)

Most Frequently Asked Questions

Choosing a Flight School

The Role of the Instructor

What Flight Training Requires

Instructor and Student Relationship

Medical Requirements

Knowledge Tests

Preparing to Study for the Knowledge Test

Study Materials

Suggested Study Materials

How to Obtain Study Materials

How to Study for the Knowledge Test

Study Habits

When to Take the Knowledge Test

Where to Take the Knowledge Test

The Knowledge Test Content and Format

Practical Test Standards

Most Frequently Asked Questions

General

Student Pilot Flight Training

Student Pilot Requirements: Medical and Student Pilot Certificates

Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, and Private Pilot Knowledge

STUDENT PILOT GUIDE 2006 Change 1 (February 2016) U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FEDERAL AVIATION ADMINISTRATION Flight Standards Service FOREWORD The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) invites you to join the general aviation community of pilots. It is a community of civil aviation operations other than those air carriers holding a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity. General aviation makes up approximately 96 percent of U.S. aircraft and 60 percent of U.S. flight hours flown. General aviation is often misunderstood as only small, propeller-driven aircraft. A large jet or cargo plane operated under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 91 can be a general aviation aircraft. This publication is intended to serve as a guide for prospective student pilots and for those already engaged in flight training. This guide presents in “how to” fashion, general procedures for obtaining FAA student pilot, sport pilot, recreational pilot, and private pilot certificates. There are many references to FAA Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) and through the FSDOs, contact is maintained between the FAA and the general aviation public. The FAA inspectors at your local FSDO are professionally trained and are prepared to advise and assist you toward reaching your goal as a pilot. FAA-H-8083-27A supersedes FAA-H-8083-27, Student Pilot Guide, dated 1999 . This handbook may be purchased from the Superintendent of documents, U.S. Government Printing Office (GPO), Washington DC 20402-9325, or from GPO’s web site. [http://bookstore.gpo.gov](http://bookstore.gpo.gov) This handbook is also available for download, in pdf format, from the Regulatory Support Division’s web site. [http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/afs600](http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/avs/offices/afs/afs600) [This handbook is published by the U.S. Department of Transportation](This handbook is published by the U.S. Department of Transportation), Federal Aviation Administration, Airman Testing Standards Branch, AFS-630, P.O. Box 25082, Oklahoma City, OK 73125-0082. Comments regarding this publication should be sent, in e-mail form, to [AFS630comments@faa.gov](AFS630comments@faa.gov). We urge you to visit your local FSDO and feel free to ask for advice on any matters relating to general aviation. Welcome to aviation. /s/ 3/8/2006 Joseph K. Tintera, Manager, Regulatory Support Division Flight Standards Service CONTENTS INTRODUCTION Role of the FAA............................................................................................................................................ 1 Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) ................................................................................................... 1 Most Frequently Asked Questions ................................................................................................................ 1 Choosing a Flight School .............................................................................................................................. 1 The Role of the Instructor ............................................................................................................................. 2 What Flight Training Requires ..................................................................................................................... 2 Instructor and Student Relationship.............................................................................................................. 3 Medical Requirements .................................................................................................................................. 3 Knowledge Tests........................................................................................................................................... 4 Preparing to Study for the Knowledge Test................

FAQs

What is the purpose of the FAA Student Pilot Guide?

It serves as a guide for prospective student pilots and those already in flight training, offering general procedures to obtain FAA certificates.

What role do Flight Standards District Offices (FSDOs) play?

FSDOs maintain contact between the FAA and the general aviation public, and local FAA inspectors can advise and assist you toward your goal.

What topics does the guide cover regarding knowledge tests and preparation?

It explains medical requirements, provides guidance on study materials and study habits, and describes when and where to take the knowledge test, including its content and format, along with practical test standards.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Connor