Regulation Text
§ 61.89 General limitations.
(a) A student pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft:
(1) That is carrying a passenger;
(2) That is carrying property for compensation or hire;
(3) For compensation or hire;
(4) In furtherance of a business;
(5) On an international flight, except that a student pilot may make solo training flights from Haines, Gustavus, or Juneau, Alaska, to White Horse, Yukon, Canada, and return over the province of British Columbia;
(6) With a flight or surface visibility of less than 3 statute miles during daylight hours or 5 statute miles at night;
(7) When the flight cannot be made with visual reference to the surface; or
(8) In a manner contrary to any limitations placed in the pilot's logbook by an authorized instructor.
(b) A student pilot may not act as a required pilot flight crewmember on any aircraft for which more than one pilot is required by the type certificate of the aircraft or regulations under which the flight is conducted, except when receiving flight training from an authorized instructor on board an airship, and no person other than a required flight crewmember is carried on the aircraft.
(c) A student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate must comply with the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section and may not act as pilot in command—
(1) Of an aircraft other than an aircraft meeting the performance limits and design requirements of § 61.316;
(2) At night;
(3) At an altitude of more than 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher;
(4) In Class B, C, and D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, and to, from, through, or on an airport having an operational control tower without having received the ground and flight training specified in § 61.94 and an endorsement from an authorized instructor;
(5) Of an aircraft without having received the applicable ground training, flight training, and instructor endorsements specified in § 61.327 (a) and (b).
(d) The holder of a student pilot certificate may act as pilot in command of an aircraft without holding a medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter provided the student pilot holds a valid U.S. driver's license, meets the requirements of § 61.23(c)(3), and the operation is conducted consistent with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section and the conditions of § 61.113(i). Where the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section conflict with § 61.113(i), a student pilot must comply with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44867, July 27, 2004; Amdt. 61-125, 75 FR 5220, Feb. 1, 2010; Docket FAA-2016-9157, Amdt. 61-140, 82 FR 3165, Jan. 11, 2017; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35218, July 24, 2025]
Research Notes
Research Notes
§ 61.89 establishes what student pilots cannot do — a critical safety framework. AC 61-65J endorsements: The solo endorsements explicitly reference these limitations. A CFI issuing a solo endorsement is attesting that the student understands these limitations. NTSB cases: Several accidents have involved student pilots who exceeded their solo limitations — flying in IMC, entering Class B without authorization, or taking a 'friend' for a ride. These cases invariably result in enforcement action. Weather minimums: The 3 SM visibility floor for students is stricter than the Part 91 minimum in some airspace — students must understand their personal minimums are regulated, not just suggested. 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart C — FAA
Amendment History
AOA Notes
These notes correspond to the highlighted phrases in the regulation text above. Each one flags something worth knowing — a common misread, a checkride gotcha, or a practical pro tip.
CFI Commentary
Highlighted phrases in the regulation text above link to instructor notes at the bottom of this page. Look for the amber or blue highlights — each one flags a gotcha or a pro tip worth knowing.