FAR DECODED — TITLE 14 CFR

Student Pilot: Airspace Operations Near Tower Airports

Regulation Text

§ 61.94 Student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate or a recreational pilot certificate: Operations at airports within, and in airspace located within, Class B, C, and D airspace, or at airports with an operational control tower in other airspace.

(a) A student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate or a recreational pilot certificate who wants to obtain privileges to operate in Class B, C, and D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, and to, from, through, or at an airport having an operational control tower, must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor in the following aeronautical knowledge areas and areas of operation:

(1) The use of radios, communications, navigation systems and facilities, and radar services.

(2) Operations at airports with an operating control tower, to include three takeoffs and landings to a full stop, with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern, at an airport with an operating control tower.

(3) Applicable flight rules of part 91 of this chapter for operations in Class B, C, and D airspace and air traffic control clearances.

(4) Ground and flight training for the specific Class B, C, or D airspace for which the solo flight is authorized, if applicable, within the 90-day period preceding the date of the flight in that airspace. The flight training must be received in the specific airspace area for which solo flight is authorized.

(5) Ground and flight training for the specific airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace for which the solo flight is authorized, if applicable, within the 90-day period preceding the date of the flight at that airport. The flight and ground training must be received at the specific airport for which solo flight is authorized.

(b) The authorized instructor who provides the training specified in paragraph (a) of this section must provide a logbook endorsement that certifies the student has received that training and is proficient to conduct solo flight in that specific airspace or at that specific airport and in those aeronautical knowledge areas and areas of operation specified in this section.

[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44867, July 27, 2004]

Research Notes

Research Notes

§ 61.94 addresses student pilot sport pilots seeking to operate in controlled airspace near tower airports. Context: Sport pilot certification is governed by 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart J. The restrictions in § 61.94 are specific to sport pilot students and represent a more conservative default than the restrictions on standard student pilots under § 61.89. Practical note: Most students working toward a private certificate are not in this section's scope. § 61.94 specifically applies to those pursuing sport pilot certificates only. 14 CFR Part 61, Subpart J (Sport Pilot) — FAA

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.

Amendment History

2016-12-30
Substantive amendment to § 61.94. Amendment date: 2016-12-30; issue date: 2017-01-01.
Amendment: 61.94
2016-12-30
Non-substantive update to § 61.94. Re-issued 2025-04-09 (editorial/formatting only).
Amendment: 61.94

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.

Gotcha: Sport Pilot Student: Different Rules, More Restrictive Defaults
This section covers student pilots seeking a sport pilot certificate operating in controlled airspace. The default is: no operating in Class B, C, or D airspace, or at airports with an operating control tower, without a specific CFI endorsement. This is more restrictive than the path for a private pilot student, who can enter Class C and D with ATC clearance. Know which certificate your student is pursuing before briefing them on airspace permissions.
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