FAR 61.110 — Night Flying Exceptions
FAR 61.110 explains night flight training exceptions for Alaska-based pilots and the 'Night flying prohibited' limitation on private pilot certificates.
In Plain English
FAR 61.110 creates an exception to the night flight training requirements found elsewhere in Subpart E (most notably § 61.109). It primarily addresses two situations:
- Alaska residents: A person who receives flight training in and resides in the State of Alaska is not required to complete the night flight training requirements of this subpart.
- Anyone who skips night training: Whether under the Alaska exception or under § 61.109(d)(2), (i)(2), or (j)(2), the applicant may still be issued a pilot certificate, but it will carry the limitation "Night flying prohibited."
For Alaska-trained pilots, this limitation is temporary: they must complete the appropriate night training within 12 calendar months of certificate issuance, or the certificate becomes invalid for use until they do.
To remove the limitation, the pilot must:
- Accomplish the appropriate night flight training, and
- Present a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized instructor to an examiner.
Why it matters: this rule accommodates the operational reality of Alaska's long summer daylight while protecting safety by prohibiting night flight until proper training is verified.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.110§ 61.110 Night flying exceptions.
(a) Subject to the limitations of paragraph (b) of this section, a person is not required to comply with the night flight training requirements of this subpart if the person receives flight training in and resides in the State of Alaska.
(b) A person who receives flight training in and resides in the State of Alaska but does not meet the night flight training requirements of this section:
(1) May be issued a pilot certificate with a limitation “Night flying prohibited”; and
(2) Must comply with the appropriate night flight training requirements of this subpart within the 12-calendar-month period after the issuance of the pilot certificate. At the end of that period, the certificate will become invalid for use until the person complies with the appropriate night training requirements of this subpart. The person may have the “Night flying prohibited” limitation removed if the person—
(i) Accomplishes the appropriate night flight training requirements of this subpart; and
(ii) Presents to an examiner a logbook or training record endorsement from an authorized instructor that verifies accomplishment of the appropriate night flight training requirements of this subpart.
(c) A person who does not meet the night flying requirements in § 61.109(d)(2), (i)(2), or (j)(2) may be issued a private pilot certificate with the limitation “Night flying prohibited.” This limitation may be removed by an examiner if the holder complies with the requirements of § 61.109(d)(2), (i)(2), or (j)(2), as appropriate.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40904, July 30, 1997; Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44869, July 27, 2004]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Under what circumstances can a private pilot applicant be issued a certificate without completing the night flight training requirements?
Per FAR 61.110, an applicant who receives flight training in and resides in Alaska, or who otherwise does not meet the night requirements of § 61.109(d)(2), (i)(2), or (j)(2), may be issued a certificate with a 'Night flying prohibited' limitation.
Q2If an Alaska-trained pilot receives a certificate with a 'Night flying prohibited' limitation, how long is that certificate valid?
Under FAR 61.110(b)(2), the pilot has 12 calendar months from issuance to complete the appropriate night flight training; after that period the certificate becomes invalid for use until the night training is completed.
Q3How does a pilot get the 'Night flying prohibited' limitation removed from their certificate?
FAR 61.110(b)(2) and (c) require the pilot to complete the appropriate night flight training and present an authorized instructor's logbook or training record endorsement to an examiner verifying that training.
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Related Sections in Part 61