Regulation Text
§ 61.7 Obsolete certificates and ratings.
(a) The holder of a free-balloon pilot certificate issued before November 1, 1973, may not exercise the privileges of that certificate.
(b) The holder of a pilot certificate that bears any of the following category ratings without an associated class rating may not exercise the privileges of that category rating:
(1) Rotorcraft.
(2) Lighter-than-air.
(3) Helicopter.
(4) Autogyro.
The short answer
14 CFR § 61.7 bars exercising privileges of certain outdated credentials: a free-balloon pilot certificate issued before November 1, 1973, and any pilot certificate bearing a category rating of rotorcraft, lighter-than-air, helicopter, or autogyro that has no associated class rating.
Research Notes
Common Questions
What certificate date matters for free-balloon pilots under § 61.7?
A free-balloon pilot certificate issued before November 1, 1973 may not be used.
“The holder of a free-balloon pilot certificate issued before November 1, 1973, may not exercise the privileges of that certificate.” (14 CFR § 61.7(a))
Which category ratings are obsolete without a class rating?
Four are listed.
“The holder of a pilot certificate that bears any of the following category ratings without an associated class rating may not exercise the privileges of that category rating: (1) Rotorcraft. (2) Lighter-than-air. (3) Helicopter. (4) Autogyro.” (14 CFR § 61.7(b))
Does this revoke the certificate?
The rule does not revoke the document; it prohibits exercising the privileges of the listed obsolete certificate or unclass-rated category rating. The certificate simply cannot be acted upon.
Amendment History
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