FAR 61.45 — Practical Test Aircraft Requirements
FAR 61.45 explains what aircraft and equipment a pilot applicant must furnish for a practical test, including airworthiness, controls, and view-limiting devices.
In Plain English
FAR 61.45 tells you what aircraft and equipment you, the applicant, must bring to your practical test (checkride). You're responsible for furnishing the airplane — the examiner doesn't supply one.
The aircraft must be:
- Of U.S. registry and the correct category, class, and type for the certificate or rating sought.
- Holding a standard airworthiness certificate, or a special airworthiness certificate in the limited, primary, or light-sport category.
- Equipped for every area of operation in the ACS/PTS, with no operating limitations that block any required task.
- Fitted with two pilot stations, adequate visibility for both seats, and dual flight and engine controls easily reached by both pilots (with limited exceptions for gliders, LTA, single-seat sport, and simplified-controls aircraft).
For an instrument practical test, you must also provide onboard equipment to perform the required tasks and a view-limiting device (e.g., hood or foggles) that blocks your outside view but not the examiner's.
Why it matters: showing up with the wrong paperwork, a missing piece of equipment, or an inop item that affects a required task is a common reason checkrides get cancelled before you ever fly.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.45§ 61.45 Practical tests: Required aircraft and equipment.
(a)Except as provided in paragraph (a)(2) of this section or when permitted to accomplish the entire flight increment of the practical test in a flight simulator or a flight training device, an applicant for a certificate or rating issued under this part must furnish:
(1) An aircraft of U.S. registry for each required test that—
(i) Is of the category, class, and type (if a class or type rating is required) for which the applicant is applying for a certificate or rating; and
(ii) Has a standard airworthiness certificate or special airworthiness certificate in the limited, primary, or light-sport category.
(2) At the discretion of the examiner who administers the practical test, the applicant may furnish—
(i) An aircraft that has an airworthiness certificate other than a standard airworthiness certificate or special airworthiness certificate in the limited, primary, or light-sport category, but that otherwise meets the requirements of paragraph (a)(1) of this section;
(ii) An aircraft of the same category, class, and type (if a class or type rating is required) of foreign registry that is properly certificated by the country of registry; or
(iii) A military aircraft of the same category, class, and type, if aircraft class and type are appropriate, for which the applicant is applying for a certificate or rating, and provided—
(A) The aircraft is under the direct operational control of the U.S. Armed Forces;
(B) The aircraft is airworthy under the maintenance standards of the U.S. Armed Forces; and
(C) The applicant has a letter from his or her commanding officer authorizing the use of the aircraft for the practical test.
(b)(1) Except as provided in paragraph (b)(2) of this section, an aircraft used for a practical test must have—
(i) The equipment for each area of operation required for the practical test;
(ii) No prescribed operating limitations that prohibit its use in any of the areas of operation required for the practical test;
(iii) Except as provided in paragraphs (e) and (f) of this section, at least two pilot stations with adequate visibility for each person to operate the aircraft safely; and
(iv) Cockpit and outside visibility adequate to evaluate the performance of the applicant when an additional jump seat is provided for the examiner.
(2) An applicant for a certificate or rating may use an aircraft with operating characteristics that preclude the applicant from performing all of the tasks required for the practical test. However, the applicant's certificate or rating, as appropriate, will be issued with an appropriate limitation.
(c)Except for lighter-than-air aircraft, and a glider without an engine, an aircraft used for a practical test must have engine power controls and flight controls that are easily reached and operable in a conventional manner by both pilots, unless the Examiner determines that the practical test can be conducted safely in the aircraft without the controls easily reached by the Examiner.
(d)An applicant for a practical test that involves maneuvering an aircraft solely by reference to instruments must furnish:
(1) Equipment on board the aircraft that permits the applicant to pass the areas of operation that apply to the rating sought; and
(2) A device that prevents the applicant from having visual reference outside the aircraft, but does not prevent the examiner from having visual reference outside the aircraft, and is otherwise acceptable to the Administrator.
(e)A practical test may be conducted in an aircraft having a single set of controls, provided the:
(1) Examiner agrees to conduct the test;
(2) Test does not involve a demonstration of instrument skills; and
(3) Proficiency of the applicant can be observed by an examiner who is in a position to observe the applicant.
(f)A practical test for a sport pilot certificate may be conducted in an aircraft having a single seat provided that the—
(1) Examiner agrees to conduct the test;
(2) Examiner is in a position to observe the operation of the aircraft and evaluate the proficiency of the applicant; and
(3) Pilot certificate of an applicant successfully passing the test is issued with a limitation “No passenger carriage and flight in a single-seat aircraft only.”
(g)An applicant for a pilot certificate, rating, or privilege may use an aircraft with a simplified flight controls designation for a practical test if—
(1) The examiner agrees to conduct the test;
(2) The examiner holds the appropriate category and class rating or privilege, the simplified flight controls model-specific aircraft endorsement, and an appropriate FAA designation to conduct the test;
(3) The examiner is able to assume control of the aircraft at any time, except if paragraph (f) of this section applies; and
(4) Upon successful completion of the practical test, the applicant is issued one of the following:
(i) A pilot certificate with the appropriate category, class, and specific make and model limitation in which the pilot is authorized to act as pilot in command; or
(ii) A sport pilot certificate with a logbook endorsement for the category and class of aircraft and a model specific limitation in which the pilot is authorized to act as pilot in command.
(h)A person who receives a category and class rating or privilege with a simplified flight controls limitation may operate only the specified make and model of aircraft set forth by the limitation unless the person satisfies the following requirements, as applicable:
(1) If seeking to operate another make and model of aircraft with a simplified flight controls designation in the same category and class, the person must receive training and an endorsement in accordance with § 61.31(l).
(2) Except as provided in § 61.321(a), if seeking to operate a different category and class of aircraft with a simplified flight controls designation as an initial applicant for that category and class rating or any aircraft without a simplified flight controls designation, the person must successfully complete a practical test for that category and class of aircraft.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40897, July 30, 1997; Amdt. 61-104, 63 FR 20286, Apr. 23, 1998; Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44865, July 27, 2004; Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42549, Aug. 21, 2009; FAA-2023-1275, Amdt. 61-157, 89 FR 92484, Nov. 21, 2024; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35212, July 24, 2025]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What aircraft documents and certifications are you required to furnish for today's practical test?
Per FAR 61.45, I must provide a U.S.-registered aircraft of the correct category, class, and type for the rating sought, with a standard airworthiness certificate or a special airworthiness certificate in the limited, primary, or light-sport category.
Q2What equipment requirements does FAR 61.45 place on the aircraft itself for the checkride?
FAR 61.45(b) and (c) require the aircraft to have the equipment needed for each area of operation, no operating limitations that prohibit any required task, at least two pilot stations with adequate visibility, and dual engine and flight controls easily reached and operable by both pilots.
Q3If this were an instrument practical test, what additional items would you have to furnish?
FAR 61.45(d) requires me to provide onboard equipment that lets me complete the instrument areas of operation, plus a view-limiting device that blocks my outside view but still allows the examiner to see outside.
Studying for a checkride?
Related Sections in Part 61