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.
Answer: You are correct. Per cFAR 61.87, before solo privileges can be granted, a “student pilot must demonstrate satisfactory aeronautical knowledge on applicable sections of part 61 and part 91, airspace rules and procedures for the airport where the solo flight will be performed, flight characteristics and operations limitations for the make and model of aircraft to be flown,” and per (2) of the FAR, the “student’s authorized instructor must administer the test and review all incorrect answers.”
The pre-solo flight training includes 15 maneuvers that the learner must demonstrate satisfactory proficiency and safety in as judged by an authorized instructor on the maneuvers and procedures in the make and model of aircraft.
You didn’t mention the administration of the airport and aircraft-specific, pre-solo knowledge test (usually about 30 questions). Two laps in the pattern will not give the CFI the opportunity to check the learner’s performance on all 15 tasks as listed under cFAR Part 61.87. That is required.
Have a talk with that CFI about the procedures for student solo. Either something got lost in translation, or they may need a refresher on how to qualify a student for solo flight.
If, in your opinion, the learner does not yet meet the safety standards for solo, void the endorsement. If they do meet the experience and performance metrics listed under Part 61.87, sign them off.
Make sure to explain to the learner why you are giving them an endorsement, as you want them to follow the rules and learn responsible airmanship.
Ask us anything you’ve ever wanted to know about aviation. Our experts in general aviation, flight training, aircraft, avionics, and more may attempt to answer in a future article. Email your questions here.
