Title 14 CFR Part 61 — Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors
Subparts in Part 61
General
Definitions, applicability, and the foundational rules that apply across all of Part 61.
Aircraft Ratings and Pilot Authorizations
Requirements for adding aircraft category, class, and type ratings — including instrument ratings at § 61.65.
Student Pilots
Solo endorsement requirements, student pilot certificates, and limitations on solo flight.
Recreational Pilots
Privileges and limitations of the recreational pilot certificate.
Private Pilots
Eligibility, aeronautical knowledge, and flight experience requirements for the private pilot certificate.
Commercial Pilots
Requirements, privileges, and limitations for the commercial pilot certificate.
Airline Transport Pilots
ATP certificate requirements — the highest level of pilot certification.
Flight Instructors Other Than Flight Instructors With a Sport Pilot Rating
Eligibility, endorsement authority, and recency requirements for CFI, CFII, and MEI certificates.
Ground Instructors
Requirements and privileges for the ground instructor certificate.
Sport Pilots
Sport pilot certificate requirements, privileges, and the unique medical framework for this certificate.
Flight Instructors With a Sport Pilot Rating
Requirements and endorsement privileges for flight instructors operating in the sport pilot context.
Recently Updated Sections
- § 61.325 — How do I obtain privileges to operate an aircraft at an airport within, or in airspace within, Class B, C, and D airspace, or in other airspace with an airport having an operational control tower? Updated Apr 22, 2026
- § 61.331 — How do I obtain privileges to operate an aircraft with retractable landing gear or an airplane with a manual controllable pitch propeller? Updated Oct 22, 2025
- § 61.3 — Requirement for Certificates, Ratings, Privileges, and Authorizations Updated Oct 22, 2025
- § 61.9 — Inapplicability of Simplified Flight Controls Aircraft Experience Credit Updated Oct 22, 2025
- § 61.329 — How do I obtain privileges to operate an aircraft at night? Updated Oct 22, 2025