FAR 61.105 — Private Pilot Knowledge Areas
FAR 61.105 lists the aeronautical knowledge areas required for a private pilot certificate, from regs and weather to weight & balance and ADM.
In Plain English
FAR 61.105 spells out the aeronautical knowledge you must learn before taking the private pilot checkride. You can get this training from an authorized instructor (ground school) or by completing a home-study course, but either way the topics must match the category and class you're seeking.
The regulation requires training in:
- Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations for private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations
- NTSB accident reporting requirements
- Use of the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) and FAA advisory circulars
- VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems
- Radio communication procedures
- Recognizing critical weather, windshear avoidance, and using weather reports and forecasts
- Safe operation including collision avoidance and wake turbulence awareness
- Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance
- Weight and balance computations
- Aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems
- Stall and spin awareness and recovery (airplane/glider)
- Aeronautical decision making (ADM) and judgment
- Preflight action: runway data, takeoff/landing distances, weather, fuel, and planning alternatives
This is the foundation of your FAA written test and a major focus of the oral exam.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.105§ 61.105 Aeronautical knowledge.
(a)A person who is applying for a private pilot certificate must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas of paragraph (b) of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(b)(1) Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that relate to private pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;
(2) Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
(3) Use of the applicable portions of the “Aeronautical Information Manual” and FAA advisory circulars;
(4) Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems;
(5) Radio communication procedures;
(6) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;
(7) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;
(8) Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;
(9) Weight and balance computations;
(10) Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;
(11) Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques for the airplane and glider category ratings;
(12) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and
(13) Preflight action that includes—
(i) How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and
(ii) How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40902, July 30, 1997]
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You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Where in the regulations are the aeronautical knowledge areas for a private pilot listed, and how can you receive that training?
FAR 61.105 lists the required knowledge areas and states you must either receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course covering those topics for the category and class sought.
Q2Name several knowledge areas FAR 61.105 requires you to know before the private pilot checkride.
Per FAR 61.105(b), required topics include applicable FARs, NTSB accident reporting, use of the AIM and advisory circulars, VFR navigation, radio procedures, weather and windshear, collision and wake turbulence avoidance, density altitude, weight and balance, aerodynamics and systems, stall/spin awareness, ADM, and preflight action.
Q3What does FAR 61.105 specifically require regarding preflight action knowledge?
FAR 61.105(b)(13) requires knowledge of how to obtain runway lengths, takeoff and landing distance data, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements, as well as how to plan for alternatives if the flight can't be completed or delays occur.
Studying for a checkride?
§61.113 Privileges & Limits
Private pilot compensation, pro-rata sharing, and BasicMed limits
§61.57 Recent Flight Experience
90-day passenger, night, and instrument currency rules
§61.89 Student Pilot Limitations
Solo student limits: no passengers, no compensation, minimum visibility
§61.51 Pilot Logbooks
Logging training, aeronautical experience, and recency for certificates
§61.23 Medical Certificate Duration
First-, second-, and third-class medical requirement and validity periods
Instrument Rating Requirements
IFR eligibility and aeronautical experience
Related Sections in Part 61