FAR 61.107 — Flight Proficiency Areas
FAR 61.107 lists the areas of operation a private pilot applicant must train on with an authorized instructor, by aircraft category and class.
In Plain English
FAR 61.107 sets the areas of operation you must receive and log ground and flight training on with an authorized instructor before applying for a private pilot certificate. The specific list depends on the aircraft category and class you're seeking (airplane single-engine, airplane multiengine, helicopter, gyroplane, powered-lift, glider, airship, balloon, powered parachute, or weight-shift-control).
For an airplane single-engine rating, you must train on:
- Preflight preparation
- Preflight procedures
- Airport and seaplane base operations
- Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds
- Performance maneuvers
- Ground reference maneuvers
- Navigation
- Slow flight and stalls
- Basic instrument maneuvers
- Emergency operations
- Night operations (except as allowed under § 61.110)
- Postflight procedures
Why it matters: this section is the syllabus backbone for your private pilot training. Your instructor's endorsement, your logbook, and the Airman Certification Standards (ACS) all map directly to these areas — and the DPE will test you on them during the checkride.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.107§ 61.107 Flight proficiency.
(a)A person who applies for a private pilot certificate must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the areas of operation of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
(b)(1) For an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and seaplane base operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Slow flight and stalls;
(ix) Basic instrument maneuvers;
(x) Emergency operations;
(xi) Night operations, except as provided in § 61.110 of this part; and
(xii) Postflight procedures.
(2) For an airplane category rating with a multiengine class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and seaplane base operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Slow flight and stalls;
(ix) Basic instrument maneuvers;
(x) Emergency operations;
(xi) Multiengine operations;
(xii) Night operations, except as provided in § 61.110 of this part; and
(xiii) Postflight procedures.
(3) For a rotorcraft category rating with a helicopter class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and heliport operations;
(iv) Hovering maneuvers;
(v) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(vi) Performance maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Emergency operations;
(ix) Night operations, except as provided in § 61.110 of this part; and
(x) Postflight procedures.
(4) For a rotorcraft category rating with a gyroplane class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Flight at slow airspeeds;
(ix) Emergency operations;
(x) Night operations, except as provided in § 61.110 of this part; and
(xi) Postflight procedures.
(5) For a powered-lift category rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and heliport operations;
(iv) Hovering maneuvers;
(v) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(vi) Performance maneuvers;
(vii) Ground reference maneuvers;
(viii) Navigation;
(ix) Slow flight and stalls;
(x) Basic instrument maneuvers;
(xi) Emergency operations;
(xii) Night operations, except as provided in § 61.110 of this part; and
(xiii) Postflight procedures.
(6) For a glider category rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and gliderport operations;
(iv) Launches and landings;
(v) Performance speeds;
(vi) Soaring techniques;
(vii) Performance maneuvers;
(viii) Navigation;
(ix) Slow flight and stalls;
(x) Emergency operations; and
(xi) Postflight procedures.
(7) For a lighter-than-air category rating with an airship class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Emergency operations; and
(ix) Postflight procedures.
(8) For a lighter-than-air category rating with a balloon class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport operations;
(iv) Launches and landings;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Navigation;
(vii) Emergency operations; and
(viii) Postflight procedures.
(9) For a powered parachute category rating—
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and seaplane base operations, as applicable;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Night operations, except as provided in § 61.110;
(ix) Emergency operations; and
(x) Post-flight procedures.
(10) For a weight-shift-control aircraft category rating—
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and seaplane base operations, as applicable;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Slow flight and stalls;
(ix) Night operations, except as provided in § 61.110;
(x) Emergency operations; and
(xi) Post-flight procedures.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, as amended by Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44868, July 27, 2004]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What areas of operation are you required to be trained on for your private pilot single-engine airplane rating?
Per FAR 61.107(b)(1), I must receive and log ground and flight training on preflight preparation and procedures, airport/seaplane base operations, takeoffs/landings/go-arounds, performance and ground reference maneuvers, navigation, slow flight and stalls, basic instrument maneuvers, emergency operations, night operations, and postflight procedures.
Q2Who must provide the training on these areas of operation, and how must it be documented?
FAR 61.107(a) requires the training to be received and logged from an authorized instructor in the areas of operation that apply to the category and class rating sought.
Q3Is night operations training always required under 61.107?
No. FAR 61.107 lists night operations as a required area of operation 'except as provided in § 61.110,' which allows a limitation against night flying privileges if the applicant did not receive the night training.
Studying for a checkride?
Related Sections in Part 61