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14 CFR § 61.31
Volume 2 · Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, 2025 edition.
Type rating requirements, additional training, and
Sec. 61.31 Type rating requirements, additional training, and
authorization requirements.
(a) Type ratings required. A person who acts as a pilot in command
of any of the following aircraft must hold a type rating for that
aircraft:
(1) Large aircraft (except lighter-than-air).
(2) Turbojet-powered airplanes.
(3) Other aircraft specified by the Administrator through aircraft
type certificate procedures.
(b) Authorization in lieu of a type rating. A person may be
authorized to operate without a type rating for up to 60 days an
aircraft requiring a type rating, provided--
(1) The Administrator has authorized the flight or series of
flights;
(2) The Administrator has determined that an equivalent level of
safety can be achieved through the operating limitations on the
authorization;
(3) The person shows that compliance with paragraph (a) of this
section is impracticable for the flight or series of flights; and
(4) The flight--
(i) Involves only a ferry flight, training flight, test flight, or
practical test for a pilot certificate or rating;
(ii) Is within the United States;
(iii) Does not involve operations for compensation or hire unless
the compensation or hire involves payment for the use of the aircraft
for training or taking a practical test; and
(iv) Involves only the carriage of flight crewmembers considered
essential for the flight.
(5) If the flight or series of flights cannot be accomplished within
the time limit of the authorization, the Administrator may authorize an
additional period of up to 60 days to accomplish the flight or series of
flights.
(c) Aircraft category, class, and type ratings: Limitations on the
carriage of persons, or operating for compensation or hire. Unless a
person holds a category, class, and type rating (if a class and type
rating is required) that applies to the aircraft, that person may not
act as pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying another person,
or is operated for compensation or hire. That person also may not act as
pilot in command of that aircraft for compensation or hire.
(d) Aircraft category, class, and type ratings: Limitations on
operating an aircraft as the pilot in command. To serve as the pilot in
command of an aircraft, a person must--
(1) Hold the appropriate category, class, and type rating (if a
class or type rating is required) for the aircraft to be flown; or
(2) Have received training required by this part that is appropriate
to the pilot certification level, aircraft category, class, and type
rating (if a class or type rating is required) for the aircraft to be
flown, and have received an endorsement for solo flight in that aircraft
from an authorized instructor.
(e) Additional training required for operating complex airplanes.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (e)(2) of this section, no person
may act as pilot in
command of a complex airplane, unless the person has--
(i) Received and logged ground and flight training from an
authorized instructor in a complex airplane, or in a full flight
simulator or flight training device that is representative of a complex
airplane, and has been found proficient in the operation and systems of
the airplane; and
(ii) Received a one-time endorsement in the pilot's logbook from an
authorized instructor who certifies the person is proficient to operate
a complex airplane.
(2) The training and endorsement required by paragraph (e)(1) of
this section is not required if--
(i) The person has logged flight time as pilot in command of a
complex airplane, or in a full flight simulator or flight training
device that is representative of a complex airplane prior to August 4,
1997; or
(ii) The person has received ground and flight training under an
approved training program and has satisfactorily completed a competency
check under Sec. 135.293 of this chapter in a complex airplane, or in a
full flight simulator or flight training device that is representative
of a complex airplane which must be documented in the pilot's logbook or
training record.
(f) Additional training required for operating high-performance
airplanes. (1) Except as provided in paragraph (f)(2) of this section,
no person may act as pilot in command of a high-performance airplane (an
airplane with an engine of more than 200 horsepower), unless the person
has--
(i) Received and logged ground and flight training from an
authorized instructor in a high-performance airplane, or in a full
flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of a
high-performance airplane, and has been found proficient in the
operation and systems of the airplane; and
(ii) Received a one-time endorsement in the pilot's logbook from an
authorized instructor who certifies the person is proficient to operate
a high-performance airplane.
(2) The training and endorsement required by paragraph (f)(1) of
this section is not required if--
(i) The person has logged flight time as pilot in command of a high-
performance airplane, or in a full flight simulator or flight training
device that is representative of a high-performance airplane prior to
August 4, 1997; or
(ii) The person has received ground and flight training under an
approved training program and has satisfactorily completed a competency
check under Sec. 135.293 of this chapter in a high performance
airplane, or in a full flight simulator or flight training device that
is representative of a high performance airplane which must be
documented in the pilot's logbook or training record.
(g) Additional training required for operating pressurized aircraft
capable of operating at high altitudes. (1) Except as provided in
paragraph (g)(3) of this section, no person may act as pilot in command
of a pressurized aircraft (an aircraft that has a service ceiling or
maximum operating altitude, whichever is lower, above 25,000 feet MSL),
unless that person has received and logged ground training from an
authorized instructor and obtained an endorsement in the person's
logbook or training record from an authorized instructor who certifies
the person has satisfactorily accomplished the ground training. The
ground training must include at least the following subjects:
(i) High-altitude aerodynamics and meteorology;
(ii) Respiration;
(iii) Effects, symptoms, and causes of hypoxia and any other high-
altitude sickness;
(iv) Duration of consciousness without supplemental oxygen;
(v) Effects of prolonged usage of supplemental oxygen;
(vi) Causes and effects of gas expansion and gas bubble formation;
(vii) Preventive measures for eliminating gas expansion, gas bubble
formation, and high-altitude sickness;
(viii) Physical phenomena and incidents of decompression; and
(ix) Any other physiological aspects of high-altitude flight.
(2) Except as provided in paragraph (g)(3) of this section, no
person may act as pilot in command of a pressurized aircraft unless that
person has received and logged training from an authorized instructor in
a pressurized aircraft, or
in a full flight simulator or flight training device that is
representative of a pressurized aircraft, and obtained an endorsement in
the person's logbook or training record from an authorized instructor
who found the person proficient in the operation of a pressurized
aircraft. The flight training must include at least the following
subjects:
(i) Normal cruise flight operations while operating above 25,000
feet MSL;
(ii) Proper emergency procedures for simulated rapid decompression
without actually depressurizing the aircraft; and
(iii) Emergency descent procedures.
(3) The training and endorsement required by paragraphs (g)(1) and
(g)(2) of this section are not required if that person can document
satisfactory accomplishment of any of the following in a pressurized
aircraft, or in a full flight simulator or flight training device that
is representative of a pressurized aircraft:
(i) Serving as pilot in command before April 15, 1991;
(ii) Completing a pilot proficiency check for a pilot certificate or
rating before April 15, 1991;
(iii) Completing an official pilot-in-command check conducted by the
military services of the United States; or
(iv) Completing a pilot-in-command proficiency check under part 121,
125, or 135 of this chapter conducted by the Administrator or by an
approved pilot check airman.
(h) Additional aircraft type-specific training. No person may serve
as pilot in command of an aircraft that the Administrator has determined
requires aircraft type-specific training unless that person has--
(1) Received and logged type-specific training in the aircraft, or
in a full flight simulator or flight training device that is
representative of that type of aircraft; and
(2) Received a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who
has found the person proficient in the operation of the aircraft and its
systems.
(i) Additional training required for operating tailwheel airplanes.
(1) Except as provided in paragraph (i)(2) of this section, no person
may act as pilot in command of a tailwheel airplane unless that person
has received and logged flight training from an authorized instructor in
a tailwheel airplane and received an endorsement in the person's logbook
from an authorized instructor who found the person proficient in the
operation of a tailwheel airplane. The flight training must include at
least the following maneuvers and procedures:
(i) Normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings;
(ii) Wheel landings (unless the manufacturer has recommended against
such landings); and
(iii) Go-around procedures.
(2) The training and endorsement required by paragraph (i)(1) of
this section is not required if the person logged pilot-in-command time
in a tailwheel airplane before April 15, 1991.
(j) Additional training required for operating a glider. (1) No
person may act as pilot in command of a glider--
(i) Using ground-tow procedures, unless that person has
satisfactorily accomplished ground and flight training on ground-tow
procedures and operations, and has received an endorsement from an
authorized instructor who certifies in that pilot's logbook that the
pilot has been found proficient in ground-tow procedures and operations;
(ii) Using aerotow procedures, unless that person has satisfactorily
accomplished ground and flight training on aerotow procedures and
operations, and has received an endorsement from an authorized
instructor who certifies in that pilot's logbook that the pilot has been
found proficient in aerotow procedures and operations; or
(iii) Using self-launch procedures, unless that person has
satisfactorily accomplished ground and flight training on self-launch
procedures and operations, and has received an endorsement from an
authorized instructor who certifies in that pilot's logbook that the
pilot has been found proficient in self-launch procedures and
operations.
(2) The holder of a glider rating issued prior to August 4, 1997, is
considered to be in compliance with the training and logbook endorsement
requirements of this paragraph for the specific operating privilege for
which the holder is already qualified.
(k) Additional training required for night vision goggle operations.
(1) Except as provided under paragraph (k)(3) of this section, a person
may act as pilot in command of an aircraft using night vision goggles
only if that person receives and logs ground training from an authorized
instructor and obtains a logbook or training record endorsement from an
authorized instructor who certifies the person completed the ground
training. The ground training must include the following subjects:
(i) Applicable portions of this chapter that relate to night vision
goggle limitations and flight operations;
(ii) Aeromedical factors related to the use of night vision goggles,
including how to protect night vision, how the eyes adapt to night,
self-imposed stresses that affect night vision, effects of lighting on
night vision, cues used to estimate distance and depth perception at
night, and visual illusions;
(iii) Normal, abnormal, and emergency operations of night vision
goggle equipment;
(iv) Night vision goggle performance and scene interpretation; and
(v) Night vision goggle operation flight planning, including night
terrain interpretation and factors affecting terrain interpretation.
(2) Except as provided under paragraph (k)(3) of this section, a
person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft using night vision
goggles only if that person receives and logs flight training from an
authorized instructor and obtains a logbook or training record
endorsement from an authorized instructor who found the person
proficient in the use of night vision goggles. The flight training must
include the following tasks:
(i) Preflight and use of internal and external aircraft lighting
systems for night vision goggle operations;
(ii) Preflight preparation of night vision goggles for night vision
goggle operations;
(iii) Proper piloting techniques when using night vision goggles
during the takeoff, climb, enroute, descent, and landing phases of
flight; and
(iv) Normal, abnormal, and emergency flight operations using night
vision goggles.
(3) The requirements under paragraphs (k)(1) and (2) of this section
do not apply if a person can document satisfactory completion of any of
the following pilot proficiency checks using night vision goggles in an
aircraft:
(i) A pilot proficiency check on night vision goggle operations
conducted by the U.S. Armed Forces.
(ii) A pilot proficiency check on night vision goggle operations
under part 135 of this chapter conducted by an Examiner or Check Airman.
(iii) A pilot proficiency check on night vision goggle operations
conducted by a night vision goggle manufacturer or authorized
instructor, when the pilot--
(A) Is employed by a Federal, State, county, or municipal law
enforcement agency; and
(B) Has logged at least 20 hours as pilot in command in night vision
goggle operations.
(l) Exceptions. (1) This section does not require a category and
class rating for aircraft not type-certificated as airplanes,
rotorcraft, gliders, lighter-than-air aircraft, powered-lifts, powered
parachutes, or weight-shift-control aircraft.
(2) The rating limitations of this section do not apply to--
(i) An applicant when taking a practical test given by an examiner;
(ii) The holder of a student pilot certificate;
(iii) The holder of a pilot certificate when operating an aircraft
under the authority of--
(A) A provisional type certificate; or
(B) An experimental certificate, unless the operation involves
carrying a passenger;
(iv) The holder of a pilot certificate with a lighter-than-air
category rating when operating a balloon;
(v) The holder of a recreational pilot certificate operating under
the provisions of Sec. 61.101(h); or
(vi) The holder of a sport pilot certificate when operating a light-
sport aircraft.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 40896, July 30, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-104,
63 FR 20286, Apr. 23, 1998; Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44865, July 27, 2004;
Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42548, Aug. 21, 2009; Amdt. 61-128, 76 FR 54105,
Aug. 31, 2011; Amdt. 61-142, 83 FR 30276, June 27, 2018]
Effective Date Note: Amendments to Sec. 61.31 were published by
Docket FAA-2023-1275, Amdt. 60-8, 89 FR 92484, 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.