The Things You Need to Know Before You Solo

Learning to fly an airplane is not like learning to drive a forklift or a stick shift.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, June 14, 2022 at 08:20 AM ET

Verified

Being ready for your first solo takes a lot more than you might think. [Credit: Shutterstock]

Key Takeaways:

Student pilots must understand and adhere to FAR Part 61.87, which details the extensive aeronautical knowledge and skills required for solo flight, and actively follow a training syllabus.
Preparation for solo flight is not a quick process, requiring significant time and proficiency in maneuvers and procedures, alongside passing a specific and geographically relevant pre-solo knowledge test.
Instructors are legally responsible for a student's actions during solo flight, making thorough preparation and proficiency checks critical to avoid dangerous situations and potential FAA scrutiny for premature endorsements.
The 90-day solo endorsement is renewable, meaning students do not need to restart all pre-solo training if they don't complete private pilot certification within that period, though instructors may eventually push for the checkride.

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As a student pilot you don’t know what you don’t know. There is so much information coming at you, so many skills to learn, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and buried—especially when it comes to what you need to know before your first solo.

Your instructor will appreciate it if you take ownership of your training by insisting on and following a syllabus. The first part of the syllabus will consist of tasks listed under FAR Part 61.87—the aeronautical knowledge and skills required for solo flight.