recreational pilot certificate
The Federal Aviation Administration governs the requirements to become a Recreational Pilot under 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart D (sections 96-101). They are summarized here but the governing law can change, so always check the regulations!
To begin, you must be able to speak, read and write the English language.
At your Practical Exam (check ride), you must be at least 17 years of age, but you can train at an earlier age.
You must possess a valid Third-Class Medical certificate or operate under “BasicMed” (see 14 CFR Parts 61.113(i) and 68). The BasicMed medical requirements are slightly more involved than using a Driver’s License under the Sport Pilot rules. You will need a specific medical exam by a state-licensed Doctor and carry an appropriately completed medical checklist in your logbook if you choose to fly under BasicMed. See our “Bar Talk” Blog on this subject.
You must log at least 30 hours of flight time; at least 3 hours solo and at least 15 hours of flight training with an instructor, including 2 hours of training at a field at least 25nm away from the airport you normally train with at least 3 takeoffs and landings there, and at least 3 hours of training in preparation for your practical exam.
Pass the Aeronautical Knowledge Exam.
Pass the Practical Exam with an Examiner.
Once you are certified as a Recreational Pilot, you can fly no more than one passenger in a single-engine fixed landing gear airplane of 4 seats or less and no more than 180 horsepower in the US (unless authorized by foreign government) outside Class A, B, C, and D airspace (except as endorsed) outside of clouds during daylight hours in visual contact with the ground and at least 3 statute miles of visibility within 50 nm of the the departure airport (except as endorsed) and at no more than 10,000’ MSL or 2,000’ AGL (whichever is higher).
When compared to the Sport Pilot, the training and medical requirements are slightly higher, and the restrictions are slightly less as far as aircraft capability, but still very restrictive.
