§ 61.103 Eligibility requirements: General
14 CFR Part 61 — Subpart E—Private Pilots
Official text — 14 CFR § 61.103
REGULATION — LEGALLY BINDINGTo be eligible for a private pilot certificate, a person must:
(a) Be at least 17 years of age for a rating in other than a glider or balloon.
(b) Be at least 16 years of age for a rating in a glider or balloon.
(c) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's pilot certificate as are necessary for the safe operation of the aircraft.
(d) Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
(1) Conducted the training or reviewed the person's home study on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in § 61.105(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and
(2) Certified that the person is prepared for the required knowledge test.
(e) Pass the required knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in § 61.105(b) of this part.
(f) Receive flight training and a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor who:
(1) Conducted the training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought; and
(2) Certified that the person is prepared for the required practical test.
(g) Meet the aeronautical experience requirements of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought before applying for the practical test.
(h) Pass a practical test on the areas of operation listed in § 61.107(b) of this part that apply to the aircraft rating sought.
(i) Comply with the appropriate sections of this part that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(j) Hold a U.S. student pilot certificate, sport pilot certificate, or recreational pilot certificate.
Reproduced from the eCFR. Text as amended through 2026-07-31. Verify against the official source before relying on it operationally.
SkeyeMentor explanation
Educational — not an FAA sourceIn plain English
The eligibility requirements to be issued a private pilot certificate: age, language, training and endorsements, knowledge test, aeronautical experience, and practical test.
Why it matters
This is the checklist your certificate application is measured against. Every other Part 61 private pilot rule feeds into it.
Quick example
Read this section alongside 61.109 and list everything still outstanding in your own training file.
Written and reviewed by the SkeyeMentor editorial team. This explanation is a study aid, not legal advice, and it is not part of the official text above. Verify current requirements through the official source before relying on them operationally.
Is this a regulation?
Yes — this is regulatory text and is legally binding.
Text published in the Code of Federal Regulations. Regulations are legally binding on pilots and operators.
Yes — this is the text of a Federal Aviation Regulation. It is legally binding. The explanation below it is SkeyeMentor educational content, not part of the regulation.