Solo Checklist

Student Pilot Solo Checklist

NB: The FARs address student pilot requirements in FAR Part 61 Subpart C - Student Pilots. Note that this list has been pruned to include only those items that have a particular deliverable and is specific to Airplane Single Engine Land (ASEL).

Check each box only after the associated item has been completed or the qualification has been met.

☐ Before Training Starts (TSA Approval, if needed)

• ☐ Verify citizenship status, if not a US citizen then the student must apply for the TSA Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP):

  • ☐ The student (candidate) must create an account on the AFSP Portal via the AFSP Candidate Registration page.

  • ☐ The student and instructor sit down together to complete the AFSP application for training.

  • ☐ TSA approval received. (Note: This may take weeks.)

  • ☐ Current photos (and anything else that the TSA may require) must be uploaded. Check the details in the approval notice.

  • ☐ Training may now commence once all above items are completed.

☐ General

• • ☐ 61.83(a) Be at least 16 years of age

  • ☐ 61.83(c) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English

  • ☐ Apply for a Student Pilot Certificate via IACRA (1-5 weeks in advance)

  • ☐ Schedule with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) to obtain your Third Class FAA Medical

  • ☐ You may want to apply for a Free 6-Month AOPA Student membership to receive Flight Training Magazine and access to training videos and resources

  • ☐ 61.83(j) Hold a U.S. student pilot certificate

  • ☐ 61.23(a)(3)(i) Must hold a valid FAA Medical, Third Class

  • ☐ Obtain a weather briefing before each flight, including METARs, 1-800-WXBRIEF, and other sources if/as appropriate. Read the FAA publication How to Obtain a Good Weather Briefing.

☐ WVFC Items to be completed, reviewed, and/or submitted as appropriate (based on the Paperwork Checklist)

• • ☐ Ground Review Form (C172SP, DA40, DA40NG, PA28-161, PA28-181, SR20,SR20G1, etc.)

  • ☐ G1000 Ground Review Form (if you are flying an aircraft with the Garmin G1000 or Cirrus Perspective) (G1000 Reading List to help you fill in the ground review form)

  • ☐ Member Regulations Quiz (based on the Member Regulations)

  • ☐ Solo Quiz

  • ☐ Copy of your student pilot license

  • ☐ Copy of your Medical

  • ☐ Copy of your Solo Endorsement

  • ☐ Choose and review one accident or incident from the accident/incident binder (needed for the aircraft checkout form)

  • ☐ Aircraft Checkout Form

  • ☐ Solo Phase Check reviewed and all items completed (also review these Phase Check Instructions)

  • ☐ Complete mock phase check to verify that you are ready for the phase check

  • ☐ Submit the Phase Check Request Form

☐ AC 61-65H Required Endorsements for solo flight

• • ☐ Solo Make and Model endorsement on Student Certificate (if using the old medical/paper certificate, not applicable for newer plastic certificate)

  • ☐ A.3 Presolo aeronautical knowledge: § 61.87(b).

  • ☐ A.4 Presolo flight training: § 61.87(c).

  • ☐ A.6 Solo flight (first 90-day period): § 61.87(n).

  • ☐ A.7 Solo flight (each additional 90-day period): § 61.87(p).

  • ☐ A.14 Endorsement of U.S. citizenship recommended by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR) § 1552.3(h).

☐ FAR 61.87 Solo requirements for student pilots

• • ☐ (b) Aeronautical knowledge. A student pilot must demonstrate satisfactory aeronautical knowledge on a knowledge test that meets the requirements of this paragraph:

    • ☐ (1) The test must address the student pilot's knowledge of -

      • ☐ (i) Applicable sections of parts 61 and 91 of this chapter;

      • ☐ (ii) Airspace rules and procedures for the airport where the solo flight will be performed; and

      • ☐ (iii) Flight characteristics and operational limitations for the make and model of aircraft to be flown.

    • ☐ (2) The student's authorized instructor must -

      • ☐ (i) Administer the test; and

      • ☐ (ii) At the conclusion of the test, review all incorrect answers with the student before authorizing that student to conduct a solo flight.

  • ☐ (c) Pre-solo flight training. Prior to conducting a solo flight, a student pilot must have:

    • ☐ (1) Received and logged flight training for the maneuvers and procedures of this section that are appropriate to the make and model of aircraft to be flown; and

    • ☐ (2) Demonstrated satisfactory proficiency and safety, as judged by an authorized instructor, on the maneuvers and procedures required by this section in the make and model of aircraft or similar make and model of aircraft to be flown.

  • ☐ (d) Maneuvers and procedures for pre-solo flight training in a single-engine airplane. A student pilot who is receiving training for a single-engine airplane rating or privileges must receive and log flight training for the following maneuvers and procedures: (completed sticker affixed in logbook)

    • ☐ (1) Proper flight preparation procedures, including preflight planning and preparation, powerplant operation, and aircraft systems;

    • ☐ (2) Taxiing or surface operations, including runups;

    • ☐ (3) Takeoffs and landings, including normal and crosswind;

    • ☐ (4) Straight and level flight, and turns in both directions;

    • ☐ (5) Climbs and climbing turns;

    • ☐ (6) Airport traffic patterns, including entry and departure procedures;

    • ☐ (7) Collision avoidance, windshear avoidance, and wake turbulence avoidance;

    • ☐ (8) Descents, with and without turns, using high and low drag configurations;

    • ☐ (9) Flight at various airspeeds from cruise to slow flight;

    • ☐ (10) Stall entries from various flight attitudes and power combinations with recovery initiated at the first indication of a stall, and recovery from a full stall;

    • ☐ (11) Emergency procedures and equipment malfunctions;

    • ☐ (12) Ground reference maneuvers;

    • ☐ (13) Approaches to a landing area with simulated engine malfunctions;

    • ☐ (14) Slips to a landing; and

    • ☐ (15) Go-arounds.