FAA rules for private pilot practical test requirements in piston planes

Mastering the Private Pilot Checkride: Your Guide to FAA Requirements in Piston Planes

Achieving your private pilot certificate is a landmark accomplishment, opening the skies for personal adventure and travel. For aspiring aviators focused on piston-engine aircraft, understanding the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requirements for the practical test—commonly known as the checkride—is paramount. This article will demystify the regulations, outlining what you need to know to confidently approach your examination.

ELIGIBILITY: LAYING THE FOUNDATION

Before you even step foot in the aircraft for your practical test, the FAA has several fundamental eligibility criteria you must meet, as outlined in 14 CFR Part 61, Subpart E. These are designed to ensure you possess the basic readiness for the responsibilities of a pilot.

First, you must be at least 17 years of age for an airplane rating. While flight training can begin earlier, solo flight requires a student pilot certificate and a minimum age of 16. Second, you must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.¹ This is crucial for clear communication with air traffic control and understanding aviation documents. Third, you’ll need to hold a U.S. student pilot certificate, sport pilot certificate, or recreational pilot certificate.²

Crucially, you must have passed the FAA private pilot knowledge test within the preceding 24 calendar months. This written exam assesses your understanding of aeronautical knowledge areas such as regulations, aerodynamics, weather, and navigation.³ Following this, you must receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying that you have reviewed any deficiencies from your knowledge test.⁴

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, you must have received flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who certifies you are prepared for the practical test.⁵ This endorsement is a testament to your instructor’s belief in your proficiency and readiness.

AERONAUTICAL EXPERIENCE: BUILDING YOUR SKILLS

The FAA mandates specific aeronautical experience minimums to ensure you’ve had sufficient exposure to various flight scenarios.⁶ For a private pilot certificate with an airplane single-engine rating, you must log at least 40 hours of flight time.⁷ However, it’s important to understand that these are minimums; most students find they need closer to 60-75 hours to truly feel proficient and prepared for the checkride. This is a common phenomenon that pilots across the country will attest to – consistency in training builds confidence and skill [1].

Within those 40 hours, at least 20 hours must be flight training from an authorized instructor, and 10 hours must be solo flight time.⁸ These hours are further broken down into specific requirements:

• Dual Instruction:
  • 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine airplane.⁹
  • 3 hours of night flight training in a single-engine airplane, which includes one cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total distance, and 10 takeoffs and 10 full-stop landings (with each involving flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.¹⁰
  • 3 hours of instrument training in a single-engine airplane, covering control and maneuvering solely by reference to instruments, including straight and level flight, climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual attitudes, and radio communications.
  • 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test, performed within the preceding two calendar months from the month of the test.¹¹
• Solo Flight:
  • 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane.
  • 5 hours of solo cross-country time.
  • One solo cross-country flight of at least 150 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum of 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.¹²
  • Three takeoffs and three full-stop landings (with each involving flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an operating control tower.¹³

These requirements ensure a well-rounded training experience, exposing you to various flight conditions and operational environments.

THE PRACTICAL TEST: DEMONSTRATING PROFICIENCY

The practical test itself is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) or an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector.¹⁴ It consists of two main parts: an oral examination and a flight examination.¹⁵ The Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS), which superseded the older Practical Test Standards (PTS), outlines the specific knowledge, risk management, and skills you must demonstrate [2].¹⁶

Oral Examination: The oral portion assesses your aeronautical knowledge in detail. The examiner will question you on various topics, including:

• Certificates and Documents: Your pilot certificate, medical certificate, aircraft airworthiness and registration certificates, and maintenance records.¹⁷
• Airworthiness Requirements: How to determine if an aircraft is airworthy for flight, including understanding Airworthiness Directives (ADs) and inspections.
• Weather Information: Sources of weather data, interpreting weather reports and forecasts, and making go/no-go decisions.¹⁸
• Cross-Country Flight Planning: Planning a detailed VFR (Visual Flight Rules) cross-country flight, including navigation, fuel, weight and balance, and performance calculations.
• National Airspace System: Understanding different airspace classifications and associated operating rules.
• Performance and Limitations: Knowledge of your aircraft’s performance characteristics, such as takeoff and landing distances, and weight and balance limitations.
• Operation of Systems: Understanding your aircraft’s engine, electrical, fuel, and other systems.
• Aeromedical Factors: Recognizing common physiological factors affecting flight and how to mitigate risks.
• Emergency Procedures: Knowledge of various emergency procedures, such as engine failures, fires, and system malfunctions.

Flight Examination: The flight portion requires you to demonstrate your piloting skills and judgment. The examiner will evaluate your ability to safely and proficiently execute maneuvers and procedures in a real-world environment.¹⁹ This includes, but is not limited to:

• Preflight Procedures: Thorough preflight inspection, cockpit management, engine starting, and taxiing.
• Airport and Traffic Pattern Operations: Proper radio communication, traffic pattern entry and exit, and maintaining situational awareness.
• Takeoffs and Landings: Normal, soft-field, and short-field takeoffs and landings, as well as crosswind techniques.
• Performance Maneuvers: Steep turns, slow flight, and stalls (power-on and power-off).
• Ground Reference Maneuvers: Rectangular course, S-turns across a road, and turns around a point.²⁰
• Navigation: Using VOR and GPS for navigation, pilotage, and dead reckoning.
• Basic Instrument Maneuvers: Maintaining straight-and-level flight, climbs, descents, and turns solely by reference to instruments.²¹
• Emergency Operations: Simulated emergency approaches and landings, and addressing system malfunctions.
• Postflight Procedures: Proper parking and securing the aircraft.

Throughout both portions, the DPE will emphasize aeronautical decision-making (ADM) and risk management. You will be expected to demonstrate sound judgment and the ability to make safe and informed decisions under various circumstances.

PREPARATION AND BEYOND

The journey to your private pilot certificate is rigorous but incredibly rewarding. Many successful pilots will tell you that a well-structured training program and dedicated practice are key. The authority of a highly experienced flight instructor, coupled with consistent study, creates a strong foundation for passing the checkride and becoming a safe pilot [3].

For aircraft owners and aspiring pilots in California, Arizona, and Nevada, ensuring your piston-engine aircraft is in top condition is vital for both training and the practical test. The Aero Center specializes in maintaining single-engine and twin-piston aircraft. We understand the critical importance of keeping your aircraft flight-ready and minimizing downtime. As the only 24/7 maintenance center in the region, we are committed to providing unparalleled service, getting you back in the air quickly and safely.

Footnotes

[1] Federal Aviation Administration. Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge. FAA-H-8083-25B.

[2] Federal Aviation Administration. Private Pilot – Airplane Airman Certification Standards. FAA-S-ACS-6C.

[3] Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association. “Getting Started: The Private Pilot Certificate.” AOPA.

The Aero Center is located at William J. Fox Airfield KWJF | Lancaster, CA. Contact us at 209.885.6950 for questions or appointments.