Logbook Entries and Certificate Endorsements

Objective:

Develop a comprehensive understanding for all the required endorsements an instructor must give for initial pilot certification, additional pilot certification, and additional aircraft qualification.

Attention:

“The life that conquers is the life that moves with a steady resolution and persistence toward a predetermined goal. Those who succeed are those who have thoroughly learned the immense importance of plan in life, and the tragic brevity of time.” --W.J. Davidson

Motivation:

You will want to log all the instruction you have done so there is no wasted time or money, and to comply with the Federal Aviation Regulations.

Overview:

Define the types of certificates, ratings, and aircraft qualifications. Then review the required endorsements, logbook entries, flight reviews, and required instructor records.

Materials:       FARS book: 61.5 (Optional: Endorsement Examples from the FAA: AC 61-65e)

Development:

Define:

  • Pilot Certificate:  the required documentation (card) certifying that a person has met all the qualifications mandated by the FAA to fly a specific kind of aircraft; required to operate as pilot in command of an aircraft (must also have a valid medical certificate, photo identification, and any applicable type ratings):
  1. Student pilot
  2. Sport pilot
  3. Recreational pilot
  4. Private pilot
  5. Commercial pilot
  6. Airline Transport Pilot
  7. Flight instructor
  8. Ground instructor
  • Category:  a specific genre of aircraft categorized by flying qualities
  1. Airplane
  2. Rotorcraft
  3. Glider
  4. Lighter-than-air
  5. Powered-lift
  6. Powered parachute
  7. Weight-shift-control aircraft
  • Class:  a more specific categorization by flying/landing qualities
  1. Airplane Class ratings
  • Single-engine land
  • Multiengine land
  • Single-engine sea
  • Multiengine sea
  1. Rotorcraft class ratings
  • Helicopter
  • Gyroplane
  1. Lighter-than-air class ratings
  • Airship
  • Balloon
  1. Weight-shift-control aircraft class rating
  • Weight-shift control aircraft land
  • Weight-shift0control aircraft sea
  1. Powered parachute class rating
  • Powered parachute land
  • Powered parachute sea
  • Rating:  a specific privilege or extension of privileges to a pilot certificate for a particular type of aircraft, or aircraft with specific qualities.
  1. Aircraft type ratings
  • Large aircraft other than lighter-than-air
  • Turbojet-powered airplanes
  • Other aircraft type rating specified by the Administrator through the aircraft type certification procedures
  • Second-in-command pilot type rating for aircraft that is certificated for operations with a  minimum crew of at least two pilots
  1. Instrument ratings (on private and commercial pilot certificates only)
  • Instrument-Airplane
  • Instrument-Helicopter
  • Instrument-Powered-lift
  • Endorsement:  a written certification of proficiency, privileges, and/or limitations given by a Certified Flight/Ground Instructor.

Training requirements, privileges/limitations of pilot certificates and ratings, and required logbook entries:

Recreational Pilot Certificate

  • Training requirements 61.97 (Subpart D)
  1. Receive and log GROUND training or complete a home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas in 61.97(b)
  2. Receive and log GROUND and FLIGHT training on the areas of operation for category and class rating sought as listed in 61.98(b)
  3. Receive and log at least 30 hours flight time including requirements as listed in 61.99(a)
  • Privileges and Limitations of Recreational Pilots 61.101
  1. May carry no more than one passenger
  2. May not pay less than his/her equal share of flight expense
  3. May act as PIC on a flight within 50nm of departure airport IF he/she has
  • Received ground and flight training for take-off, departure, arrival, and landing procedures at the departure airport
  • Received ground and flight training for the area, terrain, and aids to navigation that are in the vicinity of the departure airport
  • Been found proficient to operate the aircraft at the departure airport and the area within 50nm from that airport
  • Received a logbook endorsement, which is carried in the person’s possession in the aircraft that permits flight within 50 nm from the departure airport.
  1. May act as PIC on a flight that exceeds 50nm from the departure airport IF he/she has
  • Received ground and flight training on the Private Pilot cross-country training requirements (Subpart E)
  • Been found proficient in cross-country flying, and
  • Received an endorsement, which is carried on the person’s possession in the aircraft, that certifies the person has received [training] and been found proficient in the Private Pilot cross-country training requirements. (Subpart E)
  1. ETC. ETC. ETC. as listed in 61.101(d) through 61.101(j)
  2. (e) May NOT act as PIC
  • In an aircraft
    • Certified for more than four occupants
    • More than one power plant
    • Power plant of more than 180hp
    • With retractable landing gear
    • Multi-engine airplane
    • Between sunset and sunrise—NO NIGHT
    • In A, B, C, and D airspace
    • In less than 3sm visibility
    • Without visual reference to the surface
    • To demonstrate a plane to a buyer
    • Towing any object
    • Act as PIC if in the previous 180 days has not logged PIC time; need endorsement/flight review otherwise
    • Solo limitations (i) and (j)
  1. THIS LIST IS NOT ALL INCLUSIVE!! See 61.101 for details

Private Pilot Certificate

  • Training requirements  SEE 61.105
  • Privileges and Limitations of Recreational Pilots See 61.1

Commercial Pilot Certificate

  • Training requirements  SEE 61.125
  • Privileges and Limitations of Recreational Pilots See 61.133, 119.1(e)

Medical Certificates 61.23

  • First-class
  • Second-class
  • Third-class
  • See chart on 61.23(d) for duration

Recent pilot flight experience requirements 61.57

  • You may not act as PIC of an aircraft carrying passengers unless within the previous 90 days you have made
  1. Three-take offs and three landings
  2. As the sole manipulator of the flight controls
  3. In the same Category, Class, and type (if aircraft has a type rating)
  4. To carry passengers at night, you must do these at night to a full stop.

Conclusion:    It is important to understand what you are working toward as a goal, and what the exact privileges your certificate gives you.  As a flight instructor, it is important to keep students informed of their progress as well as knowing what the required endorsements are, where, and how to give them at the proper times.

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