What 61.87 Requires Before a Student Flies Alone

The first solo flight is a milestone for every student pilot, but it comes with a checklist of regulatory requirements. Under 14 CFR 61.87, instructors must see that a student is prepared both on paper and in the air before authorizing solo operations. The regulation itself breaks down into several distinct tasks. Each must be completed, logged, and available for review.

The instructor's responsibilities include three main pieces. First, the student must pass a knowledge test that's written, administered, and graded by the instructor. Second, the instructor must provide a make and model endorsement for the aircraft being flown, which is valid for a set period. Third, the instructor must specify any applicable solo limitations in writing. All of these steps must be documented in the student's logbook or training records.

Beyond these, the student must hold a student pilot certificate, a current medical (if required), and present government-issued photo identification. Any missing element can ground the flight before it leaves the taxiway. Each part of the process is tied to the instructor's direct oversight and recordkeeping.

Keep reading: Part 61 or Part 141: What Changes for a Two Airplane School

Writing, Giving and Grading the Pre-Solo Knowledge Test

The knowledge test is not a standardized FAA exam. Instead, it is constructed and graded by the instructor, with content based on both the regulations and the local airport environment. The rule calls for a test that covers Part 61 and Part 91 rules relevant to student pilots, plus any specific procedures or airspace issues at the local field.

What to Include

A good pre-solo test covers airspace classifications, right-of-way rules, radio communications, weather minimums, and airport-specific procedures. Many instructors use a blend of multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, and open-ended scenario questions. The aim is not just to quiz rote memory, but to confirm that the student can apply the rules to real situations. For example, ask what radio calls should be made before taxiing or what actions to take if the tower instructs a go-around.

Administering and Reviewing

The regulation requires the instructor to review the completed test and correct any misunderstandings. Simply passing the test is not enough. The review should take place in a ground lesson, where the instructor can address weak areas and reinforce best practices. This step is often documented in the student's logbook or a separate ground training record, with the instructor's signature and the date.

Some instructors keep a written copy of the test and the answers as part of the student's file. This creates a record in case of a later audit or checkride question. Others use electronic records or scanned copies. The important point is traceability: the instructor must be able to show that the requirement was met before the solo flight.

The Make and Model Endorsement and Its 90 Day Clock

A student pilot cannot solo any aircraft without a specific endorsement for that make and model. The rule is clear: the instructor must have given flight training in the same type and determined that the student is competent to operate it alone. This is not a blanket approval, and it does not carry from one aircraft type to another.

Endorsement Language and Location

Most instructors use the sample wording published in advisory material. The endorsement states that the student has demonstrated proficiency in the make and model and is authorized to solo it. This must appear in the student's logbook or a permanent training record. Electronic logbooks may be used as long as they are accessible and can be produced for inspection.

The 90 Day Rule

The endorsement is valid for 90 days from the date signed. After 90 days, the student must receive a new endorsement before soloing again, even if they have not changed aircraft. This rule ensures that skills remain fresh and that the instructor is monitoring ongoing progress. If the student changes to a different make or model, a new endorsement is needed for that as well.

Instructors should track the endorsement expiration date carefully. Many use calendar reminders, checklists, or electronic tracking tools to avoid missed renewals. If a student's solo endorsement lapses, solo flight is not legal until the instructor provides a new one after a fresh review.

Keep reading: Endorsement Mistakes That End a Checkride Before Engine Start

The Maneuvers the Rule Lists by Name

14 CFR 61.87 is specific about the maneuvers and procedures a student must demonstrate before solo. These are not left to discretion, but are listed by name in the regulation. Before the first solo, the instructor must determine the student is proficient in these operations, as they relate to the make and model of the aircraft used.

  • Preflight inspection and use of appropriate checklists
  • Taxiing and run-up, including collision avoidance
  • Takeoffs and landings (normal and crosswind)
  • Flight at various airspeeds, including slow flight
  • Stall entries and recoveries
  • Emergency procedures and equipment malfunctions
  • Ground reference maneuvers
  • Approaches to a landing area with simulated engine malfunctions
  • Traffic pattern operations, including entry and departure procedures
  • Collision avoidance, windshear avoidance, and wake turbulence avoidance
  • Descents, with and without turns, using high and low drag configurations
  • Go-arounds

Some instructors use a printed or electronic checklist to ensure each maneuver is covered and signed off. Others annotate lesson plans or progress records. If a maneuver is not applicable to the specific aircraft or operation, that should be noted. The instructor's sign-off should reflect that each required skill has been demonstrated in flight, not just discussed on the ground.

Stage checks or mock solo flights are common practices to confirm proficiency. These provide an added layer of assurance before the formal logbook endorsement is made. Regardless of method, the instructor must be satisfied that the student can safely operate solo in actual conditions.

Putting Solo Limitations in the Logbook

Solo limitations are a required part of the pre-solo package. The regulation requires the instructor to specify any limitations deemed necessary for safe solo operation, and to record them in writing. The most common method is to write these in the student's logbook, on the same page as the solo endorsement.

Typical Limitations

Common solo limitations include restricting solo flight to a specific airport, prohibiting solo in crosswinds above a set value, or limiting solo to daytime VFR conditions. Some instructors add weather minimums or restrict students from flying if the ceiling or visibility falls below a certain point. Others may prohibit solo flights when the runway is wet or contaminated.

The instructor has discretion to tailor these limitations to the student's skill and local conditions. The rule's intent is to provide a safety net, ensuring the student is not exposed to risks beyond their training. Each limitation should be clear, specific, and understandable by the student.

Documenting and Changing Limitations

Limitations can be amended as the student gains experience. If a student is later authorized to solo at a different airport or under expanded conditions, the instructor should update the logbook with a new entry, dated and signed. Old limitations should not be erased; instead, enter a new statement that supersedes or supplements the previous one.

These written limitations are subject to ramp checks and should always be carried by the student when solo. Some instructors prepare a typed sheet for clarity, but the logbook entry is the controlling document.

See how PreflightLog handles this for flight training

Student Pilot Certificate, Medical and Photo Identification

No solo flight can take place without a valid student pilot certificate. Since the adoption of the IACRA-based application system, certificates are issued as plastic cards. The student must carry the certificate during solo flight, along with a current medical certificate (if required) and government-issued photo identification.

The medical requirement depends on the type of aircraft and solo operation. For powered aircraft, a third-class medical is generally needed. For gliders and balloons, a medical is not required, but the instructor must ensure there are no known medical conditions that would make solo flight unsafe.

Photo identification must include the student's name, photograph, and signature. A state driver's license, passport, or other government ID is acceptable. All these documents must be in the student's possession during solo flight, and the instructor should verify them before signing the solo endorsement.

Most instructors make a habit of checking documentation before the first solo and periodically after, especially if a certificate or medical is nearing expiration. Gaps in paperwork can result in a failed checkride or regulatory action, so careful tracking is essential.

Renewing the Endorsement Without Restarting the Training

If a student's solo endorsement expires after 90 days, the regulation allows for renewal without repeating all initial training. The instructor must review the student's proficiency and, if satisfied, issue a new endorsement. The review may be a flight check, discussion, or both, depending on the student's recent activity and skill retention.

The exact process for renewal is at the instructor's discretion, but most conduct at least a short dual flight to confirm continued proficiency in the required maneuvers. The instructor should also review any changes in procedures, airspace, or airport conditions since the last endorsement.

A new logbook entry is required, dated and signed, stating that the student is authorized to continue solo operations in that make and model for another 90 days. If the student is transitioning to a new aircraft or training environment, additional training and a separate endorsement are needed.

There is no regulatory requirement to repeat the pre-solo knowledge test unless the instructor believes it is necessary. However, some instructors assign a short review quiz or discussion to confirm retention of critical information, especially after a long training gap.

Tracking endorsement dates, limitations, and proficiency reviews can become complex as students accumulate flight time and change instructors or aircraft. Paper logbooks and manual systems are prone to errors and omissions.

Digital progress tracking tools are increasingly used to manage these requirements efficiently. With the ability to record endorsements, monitor stage check readiness, and link student progress to practical test standards, a system like PreflightLog can reduce paperwork burdens and help instructors maintain compliance with 14 CFR 61.87.