📘14 CFR §61.107 – Flight Proficiency (Private Pilot)
🚩 Overview
To qualify for your Private Pilot Certificate, you must receive and log flight training in specific maneuvers and procedures. This training ensures you're proficient and safe when flying.
✅ Required Areas of Flight Proficiency
You must receive flight training and demonstrate proficiency in the following areas appropriate for the category and class of aircraft:
1. Preflight Preparation
Aircraft inspection and proper use of checklists
Preflight planning and decision-making
2. Preflight Procedures
Engine starting, taxiing, and pre-takeoff checks
Communications and ATC procedures
3. Airport and Seaplane Base Operations
Radio communications
Runway and taxiway operations
4. Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds
Normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings
Short-field and soft-field procedures
Forward slips to landing
Go-around and rejected landings
5. Performance Maneuvers
Steep turns
6. Ground Reference Maneuvers
Rectangular courses
Turns around a point
S-turns across a road
7. Navigation
Pilotage and dead reckoning
Navigation systems and radar services
Diversion procedures and lost procedures
8. Slow Flight and Stalls
Maneuvering during slow flight
Power-on (departure) stalls
Power-off (approach) stalls
Spin awareness and avoidance
9. Basic Instrument Maneuvers
Straight-and-level flight
Turns, climbs, and descents
Unusual attitude recovery
Radio communications, navigation systems, and radar services
10. Emergency Operations
Emergency descent procedures
Engine failure procedures
System malfunctions
Emergency equipment use and procedures
11. Night Operations (if seeking privileges to fly at night)
Night preparation and planning
Night takeoffs and landings
Night navigation and emergency procedures
12. Postflight Procedures
Postflight inspections and securing the aircraft
🛩️ Example Scenario
You're approaching your checkride. Alongside your instructor, make sure you've thoroughly practiced each maneuver and procedure listed above and logged your training carefully. Good preparation here directly translates to confidence and success on test day.
📌 CFI Pro Tips
Use ACS as a Guide: Align your flight lessons directly with the FAA’s Airman Certification Standards (ACS) to keep training structured and efficient.
Scenario-Based Training: Use real-world scenarios to help students understand the importance of each maneuver, building practical skills and good judgment.
📚 Further Reading and Official References
14 CFR §61.107 (Full FAA Regulation): https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-61/subpart-E/section-61.107
FAA Private Pilot Airman Certification Standards (ACS): https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/media/private_airplane_acs.pdf
FAA Airplane Flying Handbook (FAA-H-8083-3C): https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/handbooks_manuals/aviation/airplane_handbook
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