The following is a guide for instructors giving training to SPORT PILOT students. Though some items also apply to Private Pilot students, there are enough differences that those instructors should look elsewhere for guidance on giving the proper endorsements.
TSA Requirements for students training towards an initial pilot certificate:
Because of the Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) 49 CFR 1552 rules the following is required:
- US government issued documents that establish identity with picture ID with name, date of birth, gender, height, eye color and address such as a drivers license and
- Documents that establish US citizenship such as a US passport, US birth certificate, Social Security Card
The CFI must provide a TSA logbook endorsement:
I certify that [insert student’s name] has presented me a [insert type of document presented, such as a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport, and the relevant control or sequential number on the document, if any] establishing that [he or she] is a U.S. citizen or national in accordance with 49 CFR 1552.3(h).
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004, J. J. Jones, 610610CFI 12-06
You can group endorsements into three sections:
- Basic solo privileges needed for any solo flight
- Cross-country flights and flights to other airports
- Weird Stuff: flights into Class B airspace and night operations (for private pilots)
Student Pilot Certificate vs Logbook Entries
You can think of the student pilot certificate as a permanent endorsement record. In fact, even though the student pilot certificate eventually expires, the endorsements on it never expire. Don’t believe me? Check AC 61-65E, paragraph 12 (b). Make sure your student keeps every student pilot certificate with endorsements – even if the certificate’s expired. Otherwise, you’ll need to re-issue those endorsements.
What happens if another instructor issued the endorsements on the student pilot certificate? That’s not a problem – the FAA doesn’t care which instructor gave the endorsement. You don’t need to re-endorse a student pilot certificate when you take over a new student, or when the student’s certificate expires.
Basic Solo Privileges
Any solo flight, whether local or cross-country, requires two basic endorsements identified in FAR 61.87:
- A make and model endorsement on the student pilot certificate, which never expires; and
- A make and model endorsement in the logbook that’s valid for 90 days.
So your student’s ready for his first solo flight and doesn’t have any endorsements. What do you need to do?
Training Required BEFORE you give the Solo Endorsement
First, you’ll need to provide training on the knowledge items in 61.87 (b). You’ll also need to provide (and log) flight training on each of the maneuvers and procedures listed in FAR 61.87 in the same, or similar, make and model as the solo aircraft. You’ll make sure that the student demonstrates satisfactory proficiency and safety in each of the maneuvers.
Next, when you feel he/she is almost ready to solo, you’ll give the student a pre-solo written test and review all incorrect answers with the student.
AC 61-65E provides an example endorsement for the pre-solo written exam, but the FARs never mention the endorsement. Here’s the AC’s example:
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has satisfactorily completed the presolo knowledge exam of FAR 61.87(b) for the (make and model aircraft).
/s/ [date] J. J. Jones 987654321CFI Exp. 12-31-05
Student Pilot Certificate Make and Model Endorsement
Once you’ve given and logged all of the required training in the student’s logbook, you can endorse the student’s pilot certificate.
On the pilot certificate, you’ll record the date and make and model, then sign and enter your CFI certificate number and expiration date. Once given, this endorsement is good forever.
Logbook Make and Model Endorsements
Next, you’ll endorse your student’s logbook. If you review these endorsements you notice that they should state three things:
- That your student’s received the pre-solo flight training required in the make and model (or a similar make and model),
- That you’ve determined he or she has demonstrated the proficiency required by 61.87(d), and
- That they’re proficient to make solo flights in the make and model.
Pre-solo flight training: § 61.87(c) and (d)
For the very first supervised solo flight, limit it to the date, airport, and aircraft. This protects everyone.
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required pre-solo training in a (make and model aircraft). I have determined he/she has demonstrated the proficiency of § 61.87 (c) and (d) and is proficient to make a supervised solo flight at (local airport) on (include date) in (make and model aircraft).
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
Speed endorsement required per § 61.89 (c) (5)
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of § 61.327 in a (make and model aircraft). I have determined him/her proficient to act as PIC of a light-sport aircraft that has a VH (greater or less) than 87 knots CAS. J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
Tail wheel endorsement (if applicable):
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of § 61.31 in a (make and model aircraft). I have determined him/her proficient to act as PIC of a tail wheel airplane .
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
If towered airspace flight is required add this additional endorsement:
Solo flight in Class B, C, and D airspace, § 61.94(a) :
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of § 61.94 (a). I have determined he/she is proficient to conduct solo flights in (name of Class B, C, or D) airspace. (List any applicable conditions or limitations.)
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
After the first solo flight, but before you let your student loose to do solo flights without you around, you can elect to do specific solo endorsements only when you are around. Prior to each additional local supervised solo place this endorsement in their logbook:
Additional supervised solo flight training: § 61.87(c) & (d)
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required pre-solo training in a (make and model aircraft). I have determined he/she has demonstrated the proficiency of § 61.87 (c) & (d) and is proficient to make a supervised solo flight on (include date) in (make and model aircraft) at (local airport) .
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
After you are confident with the supervised solo flights, your student will be ready to have their leash get longer and take the airplane up when you’re not around. However, they need another logbook endorsement for unsupervised solo. The important thing here is that you are setting a time limit for how long the endorsement is valid. This can be any length of time from a few days up to 90 days. You cannot exceed 90 days.
Solo flight (1st 90-day with flight training 90 days prior to flights): § 61.87(n) (2)
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training to qualify for local solo flying at (local airport). I have determined he/she meets the applicable requirements of § 61.87(n) (2) and is proficient to make solo flights in (make and model) until (maximum 90 days from date given).
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
Note that airspace endorsements are required for each 90 day (or less) endorsements above and below.
Before you give additional 90 day endorsements (or something shorter) you’ll need to give the student training on the maneuvers and procedures identified in FAR 61.87, and determine that they’re proficient in both the maneuvers and procedures and in the make and model. If you’ve taken over the student from another instructor, make sure you’ve evaluated each these maneuvers and procedures at some point and time.
Before you endorse the logbook, check the student’s pilot certificate for the corresponding make and model endorsement. You can’t issue the logbook 90-day endorsement until the student’s pilot certificate has been endorsed for that make and model.
If you can’t find it, you’ll need to re-endorse the student pilot certificate. You’ll need to verify that you’ve given all of the required ground and flight training required for the initial solo endorsement – including the pre-solo written exam.
Solo flight (each additional 90-day period): § 61.87(p) :
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training to qualify for solo flying. I have determined he/she meets the applicable requirements of § 61.87(p) and is proficient to make local solo flights at (local airport) in (make and model) until (maximum 90 days from date given).
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
Solo takeoffs and landings at another airport within 25 NM: § 61.93(b) (1):
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of § 61.93(b)(1). I have determined that he/she is proficient to practice solo takeoffs and landings at (airport name). The takeoffs and landings at (airport name) are subject to the following conditions: (List any applicable conditions or limitations.)
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
Cross Country Flights
When it comes time for your student to make solo cross country flights you’ll make endorsements in two places. First, the Instructor endorses back of Student Pilot Certificate for the make/model to be used for the cross country flight per § 61.93(c) (1)
Then the instructor needs to make Logbook endorsements:
Prior to 1st cross-country solo place in logbook: (Instructor who did the Training):
Initial solo cross-country flight Training: § 61.93(c) (1)
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required solo cross-country training. I find he/she has met the applicable requirements of § 61.93, and is proficient to make solo cross-country flights in a (make and model aircraft).
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
Prior to each solo cross-country flight: (Any instructor who reviews the flight planning):
Subsequent Solo cross-country flights: § 61.93(c) (2) (ii)
I have reviewed the cross-country planning of (First name, MI, Last name). I find the planning and preparation to be correct to make the solo flight from (location) to (destination) via (route of flight) with landings at (name the airports) in a (make and model aircraft) on (date). (List any applicable conditions or limitations.)
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
Repeated solo cross-country flights not more than 50 nm from point of departure, §61.93(b) (2):
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training in both directions between and at both (airport names). I have determined that he/she is proficient of § 61.93(b)(2) to conduct repeated solo cross-country flights over that route, subject to the following conditions: (List any applicable conditions or limitations.)
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
Additional Airspace Endorsements
Solo flight in Class B, C, and D airspace, § 61.94(a) (required each additional 90-day period):
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of § 61.94 (a). I have determined he/she is proficient to conduct solo flights in (name of Class B, C, or D) airspace. (List any applicable conditions or limitations.)
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
Solo flight to, from, or at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace or on an airport having an operational control tower, § 61.94(a) and § 91.131(b)(1) (required each additional 90-day period):
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of § 61.94 (a) (1). I have determined that he/she is proficient to conduct solo flight operations at (name of airport) located in Class B, C, or D airspace or on an airport having an operational control tower. (List any applicable conditions or limitations.)
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
Adding Instructor Limitations
The FAA addresses limitations indirectly in the cross-country endorsements section of AC 61-65E, but they don’t cover them in the FARs. However, most instructors agree that adding limitations protects both you and your student. First, it may help limit some of your liability as an instructor – you probably don’t want your student taking the airplane up solo in 30kt gusting crosswinds. Remember, after your student’s endorsed, they don’t need to ask your permission to fly.
I recommend adding a total wind and crosswind limit to your endorsement. Not only does it define what you feel is safe, it prompts both you and your student to think about their limitations. You could add the limitations to a logbook endorsement like this:
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required presolo training in a (make and model aircraft). I have determined he/she has demonstrated the proficiency of FAR 61.87(d) and is proficient to make solo flights in (make and model aircraft).
Limitations: 25kts total wind, 10kts crosswind
4/25/14 J. J. Jones 987654321CFI Exp. 12/31/05
If you need to increase the limits later, you’ll need to re-endorse your student’s logbook.
Additional Sport Pilot Endorsements after checkride
Class B, C, Or D Airspace, At An Airport Located In Class B, C, Or D Airspace, Or To, From, Through, Or On An Airport Having An Operational Control Tower: § 61.325 (if applicable):
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of § 61.325. I have determined he/she is proficient to conduct operations in Class B, C, or D* airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D* airspace, or to, from, through, or on an airport having an operational control tower.
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
Light-Sport Aircraft That Has A Vh Greater Than 87 Knots CAS: § 61.327:
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of § 61.327 in a (make and model aircraft). I have determined him/her proficient to act as PIC of a light-sport aircraft that has a VH greater than 87 knots CAS.
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06
Light-Sport Airplane That Has A Vh Less Than 87 Knots CAS: § 61.327:
I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has received the required training of § 61.327 in a (make and model aircraft). I have determined him/her proficient to act as PIC of a light-sport aircraft that has a Vh less than 87 knots CAS.
J. J. Jones, 12-25-2004 J. J. Jones 610610CFI 12-06