How old do I have to be to take the recreational pilot or private pilot written test?
At least 15 years old. If you want to pilot a balloon or glider, you must be at least 14 years old. Before taking the knowledge test, you may have to show proof of age, such as a birth certificate.
How should I prepare for the knowledge test?
You should study the materials identified by your flight instructor or included in a home-study course. For the recreational pilot test, the materials are based on section 61.97 of FAA's rules. For the private pilot test, the materials are based on section 61.105 of FAA's rules.
What document or documents must I present before taking a knowledge test?
You have to present identification that includes your photograph, signature, and home address. Any one of the following:
- A certificate of graduation from a pilot training course conducted by an FAA-approved pilot school, or a statement of accomplishment from the school certifying the satisfactory completion of the ground-school portion of such a course
- A written statement from an FAA-certified ground or flight instructor, certifying that you have satisfactorily completed the required ground instruction
- Logbook entries by an FAA-certified ground or flight instructor, certifying satisfactory completion of the required ground instruction
- A certificate of graduation or statement of accomplishment from a ground school course conducted by an agency such as a high school, college, adult education program, the Civil Air Patrol, or an ROTC Flight Training Program
- A certificate of graduation from a home-study course developed by the aeronautical enterprise providing the study material
If you can't provide any of the above items, you can have the home-study course you have completed reviewed by an FAA inspector to assure you are competent to take the desired knowledge test. Contact the local FAA Flight Standards District Office to get an appointment with an FAA inspector. The inspector will review your study material and may question you on some of the material. If you are found qualified to take the test, the inspector will issue FAA Form 8060-7, Airman's Authorization for Written Test. You must present this form when you take your knowledge examination.
If you have to take the test over again, you must present either the unsatisfactory AC Form 8080-2, Airman Written Test Report, or an airman computer test report (if the test was taken at an FAA-designated computer testing center).
If I fail the knowledge test, is there any way to determine the areas in which I need additional work so I can study for a retest?
Yes. You will receive either AC Form 8080-2, Airman Written Test Report, or an airman computer test report (if the test was taken at an FAA-designated computer testing center). The test report will contain your test score and will also list the subject matter codes for the knowledge areas in which you were found deficient. An outline of the subject matter codes is located in the appendix of each written test book. You may refer to the appropriate written test book to determine the areas in which further study is needed.
If I pass the knowledge test, will I receive the same information concerning weak areas as I would if I failed the test?
Yes. (Refer to the previous answer.)
How long is a satisfactorily completed knowledge test valid?
A satisfactorily completed knowledge test expires two years from the day it was taken. If a practical test is not satisfactorily completed during that period, another knowledge test must be taken.
Will my instructor review the areas in which the test report showed I was deficient?
Yes. Your instructor must review the areas in which you were deficient and must endorse the written test report or provide a written endorsement indicating this review has been completed.
Must I provide the aircraft for my practical test?
Yes. You must provide an airworthy aircraft with equipment relevant to the pilot operations required for the practical test.
What papers and documents must I present to the FAA inspector or FAA-designated pilot examiner prior to my practical test?
You must have the following items available for inspection:
- The aircraft's registration certificate
- The aircraft's airworthiness certificate
- The aircraft's operating limitations or FAA-approved aircraft flight manual (if required)
- The aircrafts equipment list
- Weight and balance data for the aircraft
- Your FCC radio station certificate
- The aircraft and engine logbooks or other maintenance records
and - Any applicable airworthiness directives.
You must present the following items to the inspector:
- Your FAA Form 8710-1, Application for an Airman Certificate and/or Rating, (with the flight instructor's recommendation)
- Your satisfactory grade on an AC Form 8080-2, Airman Written Test Report or an airman computer test report (if the test was taken at an FAA-designated computer testing center)
- Your medical certificate (when required) and student pilots certificate endorsed by a flight instructor for solo, solo cross-country (when appropriate), and for the make and model of airplane to be used for the practical test
- Your pilots logbook;
- Your graduation certificate from an FAA-approved school (if applicable)
What does the practical test consist of, and how will my performance be evaluated?
The test standards are described in the Recreational Pilot or Private Pilot Practical Test Standards. Your instructor should have a copy of the practical test standards and should review them with you prior to your practical test. If your instructor doesnt have them, you can buy them from the Superintendent of Documents or US Government Printing Office bookstores.
When can I take the recreational pilot or private pilot practical test?
You can take the test as soon as, in your instructors judgement, you are ready. By endorsing your test application, your flight instructor is making a written recommendation to this effect. Your flight instructor's written recommendation shows that you have met all the prerequisites for the practical test.
Where can I take the practical test?
FAA Flight Standards District Offices conduct practical tests for pilot certification either at the offices location or periodically in cities within the district. The offices are usually located on or adjacent to an airport. FAA has also designated many flight instructors as pilot examiners. You should make an appointment for your practical test to avoid wasted time.
Is there any charge for taking the practical test?
If you take the test from an FAA inspector, there is no charge. If you take the test from an FAA-designated pilot examiner, you will have to pay. This is because the pilot examiner conducts tests without pay from FAA.
May I exercise the privileges of my pilots certificate immediately after passing my practical test or must I wait until I receive the actual pilots certificate?
You don't have to wait. The FAA inspector or FAA-designated pilot examiner will issue a temporary pilots certificate effective for a specific time period. FAA will issue your permanent pilots certificate after we have reviewed your qualifications.
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