Response by the Federal Air Surgeon
You should consult your private physician to determine whether you have a medical deficiency that would interfere with the safe performance of sport piloting duties. You may exercise sport pilot privileges provided you are in good health, your medical condition is under control, you adhere to your physician's recommended treatment, and you feel satisfied that you are able to conduct safe flight operations.

Yes, a requirement of the private pilot certificate is to perform three takeoff and landings at a controlled airport to demonstrate your ability to communicate with the tower.

The aircraft type does not matter; however, the weight of the aircraft matters since operations under Part 107 are limited to less than 55 lbs.

Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.

If you meet the requirements of Part 107, you can operate in Class G airspace in accordance with Part 107 without any further authorization or waiver.

Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.

In aerobatic flight, the pilot abruptly changes an aircraft’s angle compared to the earth, takes an abnormal position (such as flying upside down), or accelerates abnormally. We do not define acrobatic flight.

You can find more information in Regulation 4 CFR 91.303 and 91.307((c) (1 and 2).

General aviation operations conducted under 14 CFR Part 91 are not subject to flight and duty time and rest requirements, except flight instruction (14 CFR Section 61.195) and fractional ownership operations (14 CFR Part 91 Subpart K).

Commercial crewmember flight time and duty period limitations and rest requirements are described in 14 CFR Part 135 Subpart F or 14 CFR Part 121, Subpart Q, Subpart R, or Subpart S, depending on the type of operation.

Certificated air carriers and operators should contact their FAA principal inspector for further questions about flight and duty time and crew rest.

• A student pilot license (certificate) is designed for the initial training period of flying. The student pilot must have a flight instructor present. He or she can solo after appropriate instructor endorsements.

• A recreational pilot certificate limits the holder to: specific categories and classes of aircraft, the number of passengers which may be carried, the distance that may be flown from the departure point, flight into controlled airports, and other limitations.

• A private pilot certificate lets the pilot carry passengers and provides for limited business use of an airplane.

• A sport pilot certificate enables pilots to operate aircraft that meet specific criteria without having to hold a medical certificate.

• A commercial pilot certificate lets the pilot conduct some operations for compensation and hire.

• An airline transport pilot certificate is required to fly as captain by some air transport operations.

You can find information on how to get a pilot certificate on our website.

14 CFR part 61 (Certification: Pilots, Flight Instructors, and Ground Instructors) prescribes the hourly requirements for the issuance of pilot certificates and ratings. A person applying for a private pilot certificate in airplanes, helicopters, and gyro-planes must log at least 40 hours of flight time, of which at least 20 hours are flight training from an authorized instructor and 10 hours of solo flight training in the appropriate areas of operation; three hours of cross country; three hours at night, three hours of instrument time; and other requirements specific to the category and class rating sought.

Private pilots in gliders and lighter-than-air aircraft must have logged from an authorized instructor a similar number of hours and/ or training flights, which include both cross country and solo according to category and class rating sought. Though the regulations require a minimum of 40 hours flight time, in the U. S. the average number of hours for persons without a hearing impairment completing the private pilot certification requirements is approximately 75 hours.

There are no minimum or maximum ages for obtaining a medical certificate. Any applicant who is able to pass the exam may be issued a medical certificate.

However, since 16 years is the minimum age for a student pilot certificate, people under 16 are unlikely to have practical use for an airman medical certificate.

In general any temporary or permanent structure, including all appurtenances, that exceeds an overall height of 200 feet (61m) above ground level (AGL), or exceeds any obstruction standard contained in 14 CFR Part 77, should normally be marked and/or lighted.  However, an FAA aeronautical study may reveal that the absence of marking and/or lighting will not impair aviation safety.  Conversely, the object may present such an extraordinary hazard potential that higher standards may be recommended for increased conspicuity to ensure safety to air navigation. 

Normally, outside commercial lighting is not considered a sufficient reason to omit recommended marking and/or lighting.  Recommendations on marking and/or lighting structures can vary depending on terrain features, weather patterns, geographic location, and in the case of wind turbines, number of structures and overall layout of design.  The FAA may also recommend marking and/or lighting a structure that does not exceed 200 (61m) feet AGL or 14 CFR Part 77 standards because of its particular location. You can find additional guidance in Advisory Circular 70/7460-1M, Obstruction Marking and Lighting.

If the structure is on airport property, contact the nearest FAA Airports’ Regional/Airports District Office. 

If the structure is not on airport property, contact Air Traffic Organization Obstruction Evaluation Specialist that services your area.  

There are no PIC requirements specific to carrying skydivers. However, a private pilot may not act as PIC or second in command of an aircraft carrying persons or property for compensation or hire.  See 14 CFR 61 Section 61.113 and 14 CFR Part 105 for information about parachute operations.

You can find testing requirements for a private pilot certificate in Regulation 14 CFR 61.103(d).

There are 2 pathways available to pilots with a history of ADHD. Go to www.faa.gov/go/adhd or discuss with your AME requirements for each pathway. 
 
FAST TRACK - FAA ADHD criteria:  

• No treatment or use of ADHD medication (for any condition) in the past 4-years;
• No symptoms of ADHD in the past 4-years;
• No instability in academic, occupational, or social functioning in the past 4-years; and
• No other psychiatric condition(s) or diagnosis (current or historical).

 
If you do not meet the criteria above for FAST TRACK, you will need to provide an evaluation in accordance with the STANDARD TRACK - FAA ADHD Guidelines.
 
You must be off all ADHD medications and remain symptom-free for at least 90-days prior to the Standard Track Evaluation.

To find specific requirements for a pilot with high blood pressure, you would need to refer directly to the FAA AME Guide. However, generally, if a pilot has high blood pressure, they may need to bring:

• A detailed Clinical Progress Note* from your treating physician, detailing the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
• A list of medications being taken, including dosages and any side effects.

*Performed no more than 90 days before the AME exam.

You can find more information in the AME Guide: CACI - Hypertension Worksheet 
 

According to the FAA AME Guide, if you have a history of kidney stones, the information you need to provide to your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME) will vary based on how long ago your most recent episode was and complications. See Kidney Stone(s) (Nephrolithiasis, Renal Calculi) or Renal Colic

If you had a kidney stone within the past 5 years with no complications you will need:

• A detailed clinical progress note from your treating physician regarding your history of kidney stone(s).  The progress note should address all items on the CACI worksheet.  You may want to bring a copy to your physician. CACI – Retained Kidney Stone(s) Worksheet

Preflight your exam describes the process of a pilot preparing for their medical exam by reviewing available resources to determine if the FAA may need additional documentation about their medical status. This is especially important for first-time applicants or a returning applicant with a new or changed medical condition.

We've gathered a list of frequently reported medical conditions to help pilots understand what additional documentation the FAA and/or their AME may need to make a determination.
 

View the full FAQ here.

The Federal drug and alcohol testing regulations under 49 CFR part 40 and 14 CFR part 120 require you to maintain the following records for the minimum retention periods noted:

• You must retain the following for a minimum of 5 years:
  • Alcohol test results of 0.02 or greater.
  • Verified positive drug test results.
  • Refusal to test determinations, including substituted or adulterated drug test results.
  • Records related to other violations of 14 CFR §§ 120.19 or 120.37, including on-duty use, pre-duty use, or use following an accident.
  • Records of notification to the FAA’s Drug Abatement Division of refusals to submit to testing by employees or applicants that hold a part 61, 63, 65 airman certificate.
  • Records of notification to the FAA’s Federal Air Surgeon of violations by employees or applicants that hold a part 67 airman medical certificates.
  • Documentation of employees' disputes of alcohol test results.
  • Referrals to the SAP.
  • Return-to-duty records, including the SAP referral, evaluation reports, follow-up testing plan, return-to-duty test result, and all follow-up test results. 
  • Annual Management Information System (MIS) reports submitted to the FAA.
  • All historical drug and alcohol records reported to the Pilot Records Database (PRD) under 14 CFR § 111.255 after reporting the records.
• You must retain records of information obtained from previous employers concerning drug and alcohol test results of employees for a minimum of 3 years.
• You must retain the following for a minimum of 2 years:
  • Documents generated in connection with decisions to administer reasonable suspicion alcohol tests.
  • Documents generated in connection with decisions on post-accident alcohol tests.
  • Documents verifying the existence of medical explanations of the inability of a covered employee to provide adequate breath for testing.
  • Materials on alcohol misuse awareness, including a copy of your policy.
  • Documentation that demonstrates the distribution of required alcohol educational materials.
  • Documentation of training provided to employees and supervisors, and the training materials.   
  • Records of inspection, maintenance, and calibration of evidential breath testing devices.
  • Documentation related to the random selection process, including but not limited to:
    • Listing of safety-sensitive employees in the random pool prior to each selection;
    • The actual random selection list each time selections are made;
    • The employer copy of the custody and control forms from the random testing; 
    • This may or may not include the verified result, which is maintained based on the result.
• You must retain records of negative and cancelled drug test results and alcohol test results of less than 0.02 for a minimum of 1 year.

You are permitted to maintain your drug and alcohol records electronically; however, they must be easily accessible, legible, formatted, and stored in an organized and reviewable manner. If your electronic records do not meet these criteria, you must convert them to printed documentation in a rapid and readily auditable manner at the request of Department of Transportation (DOT) agency personnel. The DOT’s Q&A reiterates that an employer or service agent is obligated to make the records available expeditiously to a DOT representative, regardless of how the records are maintained. 

More information about the Federal drug and alcohol record keeping requirements are explained in the DOT’s Employer Record Keeping Requirements Document.

If you have any further questions or need additional guidance that is more specific to your situation, please contact the FAA Drug Abatement Division at (202) 267-8442 or drugabatement@faa.gov.

Please visit our website to learn more about the program

Applicable Regulations:

14 CFR §120.113(d)(6)
14 CFR §120.219(a)(2)(i) and (ii)
14 CFR 111.255(e)

The UPP results are expected to provide an understanding of the level of investment required for implementation of the UTM ecosystem. Upon completion, the FAA will evaluate the results and determine the appropriate next steps.  

Still can't find what you are looking for? Please feel free to contact the UAS Support Center for general questions and comments.

Under Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) Part 1, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) defines a medical certificate as "acceptable evidence of physical fitness on a form prescribed by the Administrator." The primary goal of the airman medical certification program is to protect not only those who would exercise the privileges of a pilot certificate but also air travelers and the general public.

A person who meets FAA airmen medical standards, based on a medical examination and an evaluation of medical history, is entitled to a medical certificate without restriction or limitation other than the prescribed limitation as to its duration. Individuals required to hold a medical certificate must have it in their personal possession at all times when exercising the privileges for which they are licensed.

A sport pilot certificate allows pilots to operate light-sport aircraft. The medical requirements to use this certificate can be met by either a third class medical certificate or a U.S. driver's license. Restrictions may apply.

You can find more information about sport-pilot certification and light-sport aircraft on our website.