FAR 61.85 — Student Pilot Application
FAR 61.85 explains how to apply for a student pilot certificate, including the required form and who can accept your application. Study guide for pilots.
In Plain English
FAR 61.85 is the starting point for anyone pursuing a pilot certificate. It tells you how and to whom you submit your application for a student pilot certificate.
The rule has two simple requirements:
- Form: You must apply on a form acceptable to the Administrator (the FAA). In practice, this is done through IACRA (or a paper FAA Form 8710-1).
- Where to submit: You must give the application to one of the following:
- A Flight Standards office (FSDO)
- A Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
- An Airman Certification Representative (ACR) associated with a pilot school
- A flight instructor (CFI)
- Another person authorized by the Administrator
Why it matters operationally: before you can solo, you need a student pilot certificate in hand. Knowing the proper channels — typically your CFI submitting through IACRA — keeps your training on schedule and avoids delays caused by sending paperwork to the wrong place.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.85§ 61.85 Application.
An applicant for a student pilot certificate:
(a) Must make that application in a form acceptable to the Administrator; and
(b) Must submit the application to a Flight Standards office, a designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative associated with a pilot school, a flight instructor, or other person authorized by the Administrator.
[Docket FAA-2010-1127, Amdt. 61-135, 81 FR 1306, Jan. 12, 2016, as amended by Docket FAA-2018-0119, Amdt. 61-141, 83 FR 9170, Mar. 5, 2018]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1How does an applicant apply for a student pilot certificate?
Per FAR 61.85, the applicant must submit an application in a form acceptable to the Administrator (typically through IACRA) to an authorized recipient.
Q2Who is authorized to accept a student pilot certificate application?
FAR 61.85(b) lists a Flight Standards office, a designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative associated with a pilot school, a flight instructor, or another person authorized by the Administrator.
Q3Can you turn your student pilot application directly in to your CFI?
Yes. FAR 61.85(b) specifically authorizes a flight instructor to accept and submit a student pilot certificate application.
Studying for a checkride?
Related Sections in Part 61