Student Solo Class B

FAR 61.95 — Student Solo Class B

FAR 61.95 explains the ground training, flight training, and 90-day logbook endorsements a student pilot needs to solo in Class B airspace.

In Plain English

FAR 61.95 sets the rules a student pilot must meet before flying solo in Class B airspace or to/from an airport inside Class B.

For solo flight in Class B airspace, the student must:

Receive both ground and flight training from an authorized instructor for that specific Class B airspace area.
Have a logbook endorsement from that instructor, dated within the preceding 90 days.
Have the endorsement state that the student received the required training and is proficient to fly solo in that specific Class B area.

For solo operations to, from, or at an airport located within Class B airspace (under § 91.131(b) — typically the busiest airports listed in appendix D), the same three requirements apply, but the training and endorsement must be specific to that airport.

This section does not apply to students seeking a sport pilot or recreational pilot certificate. Operationally, this rule ensures students aren't dropped into the FAA's most complex airspace without targeted training and a current sign-off proving they can handle it.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 61.95

§ 61.95 Operations in Class B airspace and at airports located within Class B airspace. (a) A student pilot may not operate an aircraft on a solo flight in Class B airspace unless: (1) The student pilot has received both ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on that Class B airspace area, and the flight training was received in the specific Class B airspace area for which solo flight is authorized; (2) The logbook of that student pilot has been endorsed by the authorized instructor who gave the student pilot flight training, and the endorsement is dated within the 90-day period preceding the date of the flight in that Class B airspace area; and (3) The logbook endorsement specifies that the student pilot has received the required ground and flight training, and has been found proficient to conduct solo flight in that specific Class B airspace area. (b) A student pilot may not operate an aircraft on a solo flight to, from, or at an airport located within Class B airspace pursuant to § 91.131(b) of this chapter unless: (1) The student pilot has received both ground and flight training from an instructor authorized to provide training to operate at that airport, and the flight and ground training has been received at the specific airport for which the solo flight is authorized; (2) The logbook of that student pilot has been endorsed by an authorized instructor who gave the student pilot flight training, and the endorsement is dated within the 90-day period preceding the date of the flight at that airport; and (3) The logbook endorsement specifies that the student pilot has received the required ground and flight training, and has been found proficient to conduct solo flight operations at that specific airport. (c) This section does not apply to a student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate or a recreational pilot certificate. [Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40902, July 30, 1997; Amdt. 61-110, 69 FR 44868, July 27, 2004]

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What does a student pilot need before flying solo in Class B airspace?

Per FAR 61.95(a), the student must receive ground and flight training in that specific Class B area from an authorized instructor and carry a logbook endorsement, dated within the preceding 90 days, certifying proficiency for solo flight in that area.

Q2How often must the Class B solo endorsement be renewed?

FAR 61.95(a)(2) requires the instructor's endorsement to be dated within the 90-day period preceding the flight, so it effectively must be refreshed every 90 days.

Q3Does FAR 61.95 apply to students working toward a sport or recreational pilot certificate?

No. FAR 61.95(c) specifically states this section does not apply to a student pilot seeking a sport pilot or recreational pilot certificate.

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