Written By Ishitha Arekapudi
Recently, I taught a class on becoming a pilot at a young age, and needed to know more about student pilot certificates. It has been almost four years since I have applied for one, and I completely forgot all the necessary steps! In light of this, I found an incredible resource published by the Federal Aviation Administration and wanted to take the opportunity to share these with you. I have complied a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers from the FAA, and the most relevant ones are listed below. For further information, this website has all of the FAA’s student pilot FAQs (https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/student_cert).
DO I NEED A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE TO START FLYING?
You don’t need a student pilot certificate to take flight lessons with an instructor. However, you must have one before your first solo flight, when you’ll fly an aircraft alone without an instructor with you.
WHO’S ELIGIBLE FOR A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE?
To qualify, you must:
- Be at least 16 years old (or 14 if you’re learning to fly a glider or balloon)
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English
HOW DO I APPLY FOR A STUDENT PILOT CERTIFICATE?
You have two options to apply:
- Online through IACRA (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application) which is considered the fastest and most efficient route
- Paper application (FAA Form 8710-1) submitted to a:
- Flight Standards District Office (FSDO)
- FAA-designated pilot examiner (DPE)
- Airman certification representative from a Part 141 school
- Certificated flight instructor (CFI)
The authorized individual will process your application and forward it to the Airmen Certification Branch, which will then mail your certificate to the address on file.
It takes about three weeks to process your application, but will be faster if you use IACRA!
WHAT ABOUT A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE?
To fly solo, you will also need a medical certificate (unless you’re flying a glider or balloon). For student pilots, a Third-Class Medical Certificate is usually enough, and is much less rigorous.
Here is how you can get one:
- Schedule an exam with an Aviation Medical Examiner (AME)
- You can search for one near you at faa.gov/pilots/medical_certification
HOW LONG ARE MY CERTIFICATES VALID?
Student pilot certificates do not expire, which is especially convenient. They remain valid until you earn a higher certification and choose yourself to give it up, for any reason.
Medical certificate expire according to 14 CFR 61.23, which depends on your age and the class of medical certificate.
CAN I RENEW MY CERTIFICATES?
If your medical certificate expires, you will need to get a new one through another AME visit. Additionally, you cannot “renew” a student pilot certificate, but you can reapply for a new one if needed.
