Regulation Text
§ 61.98 Flight proficiency.
(a) General. A person who applies for a recreational pilot certificate must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the areas of operation of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(b) Areas of operation. (1) For a single-engine airplane rating: (i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Slow flight and stalls;
(ix) Emergency operations; and
(x) Postflight procedures.
(2) For a helicopter rating: (i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and heliport operations;
(iv) Hovering maneuvers;
(v) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(vi) Performance maneuvers;
(vii) Ground reference maneuvers;
(viii) Navigation;
(ix) Emergency operations; and
(x) Postflight procedures.
(3) For a gyroplane rating: (i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Flight at slow airspeeds;
(ix) Emergency operations; and
(x) Postflight procedures.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40902, July 30, 1997]
The short answer
(14 CFR § 61.98) sets the flight proficiency areas of operation for a recreational pilot certificate. An applicant must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the listed areas that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
Research Notes
Common Questions
What areas of operation are required for a single-engine airplane recreational rating?
Ten areas, from preflight preparation through postflight procedures, including slow flight and stalls.
“(1) For a single-engine airplane rating: (i) Preflight preparation; (ii) Preflight procedures; (iii) Airport operations; (iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds; (v) Performance maneuvers; (vi) Ground reference maneuvers; (vii) Navigation; (viii) Slow flight and stalls; (ix) Emergency operations; and (x) Postflight procedures.” — 14 CFR § 61.98
Do helicopter and gyroplane applicants follow different areas?
Yes. The section lists separate area-of-operation sets per category. Helicopter applicants add hovering maneuvers and use airport and heliport operations, while gyroplane applicants list flight at slow airspeeds rather than slow flight and stalls.
“(2) For a helicopter rating: ... (iv) Hovering maneuvers; ... (3) For a gyroplane rating: ... (viii) Flight at slow airspeeds ...” — 14 CFR § 61.98
Who must provide the training?
An authorized instructor. The applicant must both receive and log the ground and flight training on the applicable areas of operation.
“(a) General. A person who applies for a recreational pilot certificate must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the areas of operation of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.” — 14 CFR § 61.98
Amendment History
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