What Are Requirements for Solo Flying?

Evaluating a student pilot for this endorsement takes more than laps in the pattern.

Meg Godlewski

Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at 11:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Solo flying experience builds both skill and confidence. [Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Granting a student pilot solo endorsement legally requires more than just a brief flight; cFAR 61.87 mandates the administration of an airport/aircraft-specific knowledge test and demonstration of proficiency in 15 specific pre-solo flight maneuvers.
Endorsing a student for solo flight after only two laps in the pattern is insufficient and does not meet the comprehensive requirements outlined in cFAR Part 61.87.
The original CFI should discuss proper solo endorsement procedures with the other instructor and, if the student has not met all mandated safety and proficiency standards, void the improper endorsement.

See a mistake? Contact us.

Question: I’ve been working as a CFI for about three months, and I just got my first private pilot candidate ready for their first solo. I asked another CFI, a retired airline pilot who has returned to teaching and is new to the flight school, to fly with the student to “check my work” before I signed the student off. It was my day off when they did this.

When I came back the next day, I learned the CFI did two laps in the pattern with the student and then endorsed him for solo flight. Is that legal? I thought there was a lot more to it than that. I am working at a Part 61 school if that makes a difference.