Federal Aviation Regulations
14 CFR § 61.103 — Eligibility requirements: General
Volume 2 · Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2025 annual edition. U.S. Government work — public domain (17 U.S.C. §105).
The regulation, in full
Sec. 61.103 Eligibility requirements: General.
To be eligible for a private pilot certificate, a person must:
(a) Be at least 17 years of age for a rating in other than a glider
or balloon.
(b) Be at least 16 years of age for a rating in a glider or balloon.
(c) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English
language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements
due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating
limitations on that applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for
the safe operation of the aircraft.
(d) Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
(1) Conducted the training or reviewed the person's home study on
the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in Sec. 61.105(b) of this part
that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and
(2) Certified that the person is prepared for the required knowledge
test.
(e) Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge
areas listed in Sec. 61.105(b) of this part.
(f) Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an
authorized instructor who:
(1) Conducted the training in the areas of operation listed in Sec.
61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and
(2) Certified that the person is prepared for the required practical
test.
(g) Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this part that
apply to the aircraft rating sought before applying for the practical
test.
(h) Pass a practical test on the areas of operation listed in Sec.
61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought.
(i) Comply with the appropriate sections of this part that apply to
the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(j) Hold a U.S. student pilot certificate, sport pilot certificate,
or recreational pilot certificate.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-124, 74
FR 42558, Aug. 21, 2009]What this means for the knowledge test
Our own study notes for this section — reviewed through our AI instructional-review system, not by a certificated flight instructor. Not an authoritative source.
To be eligible for a private pilot certificate a person must be at least 17 years of age (16 for a glider or balloon) and be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. The age to fly solo as a student is 16 for airplanes, but the private certificate itself requires 17.
14 CFR 61.103
Lessons that cover § 61.103
Practice questions on § 61.103 (2)
What is the minimum age to be eligible for a private pilot certificate in an airplane?
Answer 17 years old
A private pilot applicant in an airplane must be at least 17 years old, though solo flight as a student is allowed at 16.
Which of the following is an eligibility requirement for a private pilot certificate?
Answer Read, speak, write, and understand English
An applicant must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English, which is the international language of aviation.