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14 CFR § 61.109
Volume 2 · Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2025 edition.
Aeronautical experience
Sec. 61.109 Aeronautical experience.
(a) For an airplane single-engine rating. Except as provided in
paragraph (k) of this section, a person who applies for a private pilot
certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating
must log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20
hours of flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of
solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in Sec.
61.107(b)(1) of this part, and the training must include at least--
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a single-engine
airplane;
(2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part, 3 hours of
night flight training in a single-engine airplane that includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total
distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing
involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training in a single-engine airplane on the
control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to
instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed
climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight
attitudes, radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/
facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight;
(4) 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a
single-engine airplane in preparation for the practical test, which must
have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the
month of the test; and
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in a single-engine airplane,
consisting of at least--
(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total
distance, with full-stop landings at 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; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each
landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an
operating control tower.
(b) For an airplane multiengine rating. Except as provided in
paragraph (k) of this section, a person who applies for a private pilot
certificate with an airplane category and multiengine class rating must
log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of
flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo
flight training in the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(2)
of this part, and the training must include at least--
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a multiengine
airplane;
(2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part, 3 hours of
night flight training in a multiengine airplane that includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total
distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing
involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training in a multiengine airplane on the
control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by reference to
instruments, including straight and level flight, constant airspeed
climbs and descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight
attitudes, radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/
facilities and radar services appropriate to instrument flight;
(4) 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a
multiengine airplane in preparation for the practical test, which must
have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the
month of the test; and
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in an airplane consisting of at
least--
(i) 5 hours of solo cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total
distance, with
full-stop landings at 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; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each
landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an
operating control tower.
(c) For a helicopter rating. Except as provided in paragraph (k) of
this section, a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with
rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating must log at least 40
hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training
from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in
the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(3) of this part, and
the training must include at least--
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a helicopter;
(2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part, 3 hours of
night flight training in a helicopter that includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over 50 nautical miles total
distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing
involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a
helicopter in preparation for the practical test, which must have been
performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the
test; and
(4) 10 hours of solo flight time in a helicopter, consisting of at
least--
(i) 3 hours cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross country flight of 100 nautical miles total
distance, with landings at three points, and one segment of the flight
being a straight-line distance of more than 25 nautical miles between
the takeoff and landing locations; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each
landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an
operating control tower.
(d) For a gyroplane rating. Except as provided in paragraph (k) of
this section, a person who applies for a private pilot certificate with
rotorcraft category and gyroplane class rating must log at least 40
hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training
from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in
the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(4) of this part, and
the training must include at least--
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a gyroplane;
(2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part, 3 hours of
night flight training in a gyroplane that includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over 50 nautical miles total
distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing
involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a
gyroplane in preparation for the practical test, which must have been
performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the
test; and
(4) 10 hours of solo flight time in a gyroplane, consisting of at
least--
(i) 3 hours of cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross country flight of 100 nautical miles total
distance, with landings at three points, and one segment of the flight
being a straight-line distance of more than 25 nautical miles between
the takeoff and landing locations; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each
landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an
operating control tower.
(e) For a powered-lift rating. Except as provided in paragraph (k)
of this section, a person who applies for a private pilot certificate
with a powered-lift category rating must log at least 40 hours of flight
time that includes at least 20 hours of flight training from an
authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the areas
of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(5) of this part, and the training
must include at least--
(1) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in a powered-lift;
(2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part, 3 hours of
night flight training in a powered-lift that includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over 100 nautical miles total
distance; and
(ii) 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop (with each landing
involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
(3) 3 hours of flight training in a powered-lift on the control and
maneuvering of a powered-lift solely by reference to instruments,
including straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and
descents, turns to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes,
radio communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and
radar services appropriate to instrument flight;
(4) 3 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in a
powered-lift in preparation for the practical test, which must have been
performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the
test; and
(5) 10 hours of solo flight time in an airplane or powered-lift
consisting of at least--
(i) 5 hours cross-country time;
(ii) One solo cross country flight of 150 nautical miles total
distance, with full-stop landings at 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; and
(iii) Three takeoffs and three landings to a full stop (with each
landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport with an
operating control tower.
(f) For a glider category rating. (1) If the applicant for a private
pilot certificate with a glider category rating has not logged at least
40 hours of flight time as a pilot in a heavier-than-air aircraft, the
applicant must log at least 10 hours of flight time in a glider in the
areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(6) of this part, and that
flight time must include at least--
(i) 20 flights in a glider in the areas of operations listed in
Sec. 61.107(b)(6) of this part, including at least 3 training flights
with an authorized instructor in a glider in preparation for the
practical test that must have been performed within the preceding 2
calendar months from the month of the test; and
(ii) 2 hours of solo flight time in a glider in the areas of
operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(6) of this part, with not less than
10 launches and landings being performed.
(2) If the applicant has logged at least 40 hours of flight time in
a heavier-than-air aircraft, the applicant must log at least 3 hours of
flight time in a glider in the areas of operation listed in Sec.
61.107(b)(6) of this part, and that flight time must include at least--
(i) 10 solo flights in a glider in the areas of operation listed in
Sec. 61.107(b)(6) of this part; and
(ii) 3 training flights with an authorized instructor in a glider in
preparation for the practical test that must have been performed within
the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test.
(g) For an airship rating. A person who applies for a private pilot
certificate with a lighter-than-air category and airship class rating
must log at least:
(1) 25 hours of flight training in airships on the areas of
operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(7) of this part, which consists of
at least:
(i) 3 hours of cross-country flight training in an airship;
(ii) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110 of this part, 3 hours of
night flight training in an airship that includes:
(A) A cross-country flight of over 25 nautical miles total distance;
and
(B) Five takeoffs and five landings to a full stop (with each
landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.
(2) 3 hours of flight training in an airship on the control and
maneuvering of an airship solely by reference to instruments, including
straight and level flight, constant airspeed climbs and descents, turns
to a heading, recovery from unusual flight attitudes, radio
communications, and the use of navigation systems/facilities and radar
services appropriate to instrument flight;
(3) Three hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in
an airship in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2
calendar months from the month of the test; and
(4) 5 hours performing the duties of pilot in command in an airship
with an authorized instructor.
(h) For a balloon rating. A person who applies for a private pilot
certificate
with a lighter-than-air category and balloon class rating must log at
least 10 hours of flight training that includes at least six training
flights with an authorized instructor in the areas of operation listed
in Sec. 61.107(b)(8) of this part, that includes--
(1) Gas balloon. If the training is being performed in a gas
balloon, at least two flights of 2 hours each that consists of--
(i) At least one training flight with an authorized instructor in a
gas balloon in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2
calendar months from the month of the test;
(ii) At least one flight performing the duties of pilot in command
in a gas balloon with an authorized instructor; and
(iii) At least one flight involving a controlled ascent to 3,000
feet above the launch site.
(2) Balloon with an airborne heater. If the training is being
performed in a balloon with an airborne heater, at least--
(i) At least two training flights of 1 hour each with an authorized
instructor in a balloon with an airborne heater in preparation for the
practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of
the test;
(ii) One solo flight in a balloon with an airborne heater; and
(iii) At least one flight involving a controlled ascent to 2,000
feet above the launch site.
(i) For a powered parachute rating. A person who applies for a
private pilot certificate with a powered parachute category rating must
log at least 25 hours of flight time in a powered parachute that
includes at least 10 hours of flight training with an authorized
instructor, including 30 takeoffs and landings, and 10 hours of solo
flight training in the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107 (b)(9)
and the training must include at least--
(1) One hour of cross-country flight training in a powered parachute
that includes a 1-hour cross-country flight with a landing at an airport
at least 25 nautical miles from the airport of departure;
(2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110, 3 hours of night flight
training in a powered parachute that includes 10 takeoffs and landings
(with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an
airport;
(3) Three hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in
a powered parachute in preparation for the practical test, which must
have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months from the
month of the test;
(4) Three hours of solo flight time in a powered parachute,
consisting of at least--
(i) One solo cross-country flight with a landing at an airport at
least 25 nautical miles from the departure airport; and
(ii) Twenty solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each
landing involving a flight in a traffic pattern) at an airport; and
(5) Three takeoffs and landings (with each landing involving a
flight in the traffic pattern) in an aircraft at an airport with an
operating control tower.
(j) For a weight-shift-control aircraft rating. A person who applies
for a private pilot certificate with a weight-shift-control rating must
log at least 40 hours of flight time that includes at least 20 hours of
flight training with an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo
flight training in the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.107(b)(10)
and the training must include at least--
(1) Three hours of cross-country flight training in a weight-shift-
control aircraft;
(2) Except as provided in Sec. 61.110, 3 hours of night flight
training in a weight-shift-control aircraft that includes--
(i) One cross-country flight of over 75 nautical miles total
distance that includes a point of landing that is a straight-line
distance of more than 50 nautical miles from the original point of
departure; and
(ii) Ten takeoffs and landings (with each landing involving a flight
in the traffic pattern) at an airport;
(3) Three hours of flight training with an authorized instructor in
a weight-shift-control aircraft in preparation for the practical test,
which must have been performed within the preceding 2 calendar months
from the month of the test;
(4) Ten hours of solo flight time in a weight-shift-control
aircraft, consisting of at least--
(i) Five hours of solo cross-country time; and
(ii) One solo cross-country flight over 100 nautical miles total
distance, with landings at a minimum of three points, and one segment of
the flight being a straight line distance of at least 50 nautical miles
between takeoff and landing locations; and
(5) Three takeoffs and landings (with each landing involving a
flight in the traffic pattern) in an aircraft at an airport with an
operating control tower.
(k) Permitted credit for use of a full flight simulator or flight
training device. (1) Except as provided in paragraphs (k)(2) of this
section, a maximum of 2.5 hours of training in a full flight simulator
or flight training device representing the category, class, and type, if
applicable, of aircraft appropriate to the rating sought, may be
credited toward the flight training time required by this section, if
received from an authorized instructor.
(2) A maximum of 5 hours of training in a flight simulator or flight
training device representing the category, class, and type, if
applicable, of aircraft appropriate to the rating sought, may be
credited toward the flight training time required by this section if the
training is accomplished in a course conducted by a training center
certificated under part 142 of this chapter.
(3) Except when fewer hours are approved by the Administrator, an
applicant for a private pilot certificate with an airplane, rotorcraft,
or powered-lift rating, who has satisfactorily completed an approved
private pilot course conducted by a training center certificated under
part 142 of this chapter, need only have a total of 35 hours of
aeronautical experience to meet the requirements of this section.
(l) Permitted credit for flight training received from a flight
instructor with a sport pilot rating. The holder of a sport pilot
certificate may credit flight training received from a flight instructor
with a sport pilot rating toward the aeronautical experience
requirements of this section if the following conditions are met:
(1) The flight training was accomplished in the same category and
class of aircraft for which the rating is sought;
(2) The flight instructor with a sport pilot rating was authorized
to provide the flight training; and
(3) The flight training included either--
(i) Training on areas of operation that are required for both a
sport pilot certificate and a private pilot certificate; or
(ii) For airplanes with a V<INF>H</INF> greater than 87 knots CAS,
training on the control and maneuvering of an airplane solely by
reference to the flight instruments, including straight and level
flight, turns, descents, climbs, use of radio aids, and ATC directives,
provided the training was received from a flight instructor with a sport
pilot rating who holds an endorsement required by Sec. 61.412(c).
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 40902, July 30, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-104,
63 FR 20287, Apr. 23, 1998; Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44868, July 27, 2004;
Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42558, Aug. 21, 2009; Amdt. 61-124A, 74 FR 53645,
Oct. 20, 2009; Amdt. 61-125, 75 FR 5220, Feb. 1, 2010; Amdt. 61-142, 83
FR 30278, June 27, 2018]
Effective Date Note: Amendments to Sec. 61.109 were published by
Docket FAA-2023-1275, Amdt. 60-8, 89 FR 92485, Nov. 21, 2024, effective
Jan. 21, 2025.U.S. Government work — public domain (17 U.S.C. §105). Reproduced from the checksummed 2025 annual edition of Title 14; always confirm against the current eCFR.