This guide will follow the typical progression of a new student pilot.
Giving endorsements is a primary responsibility for all flight instructors. Endorsements can seem daunting if you have never done them before. If you have students training in private, instrument, commercial, CFI, and CFII, all these ratings require an instructor to endorse the student for many different things; however, the bulk of endorsements given to a student happens in their private pilot training. In this article I will lay out the requirements for instructors when endorsing students, I will also discuss the instructor’s responsibility for record-keeping after you have endorsed your student. Use Advisory Circular 61-65H appendix A as a guide for the following endorsements. For every endorsement, the instructor must write down the date, certificate number, expiration date, and signature.
A.14 Endorsement of U.S. citizenship recommended by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Title 49 of the Code of Federal Regulations (49 CFR).
The flight instructor must keep a copy of the documents used to provide proof of citizenship for 5 years or make the following endorsement in the student’s logbook and the instructor’s logbook or other record used to record flight student endorsements with the following:
Sample endorsement
I certify that [First name, MI, Last name] has presented me a [type of document presented, such as a U.S. birth certificate or U.S. passport, and the relevant control or sequential number on the document, if any] establishing that [he or she] is a U.S. citizen or national in accordance with 49 CFR § 1552.3(h).
A.56 R-22/R-44 awareness training: SFAR 73, section 2(a)(1) or (2).
The flight instructor must give the student the awareness training required by SFAR 73 before the student touches the controls for flight.
Sample endorsement
I certify that [First name, MI, Last name, Pilot Cetificate No. _____] has received the Awareness Training required by SFAR 73, section 2(a)(3)(i–v).
A.3 Pre-solo aeronautical knowledge: § 61.87(b).
The flight instructor is responsible for testing the student's knowledge of applicable sections of part 91 and part 61. With that, the CFI must test knowledge of the applicable airspace where the solo student will be operating, along with flight characteristics and limitations from the aircraft's POH. The flight instructor must administer the test and correct it to 100% with the student before conducting solo operations.
Sample endorsement
I certify that [First name, MI, Last name] has satisfactorily completed the pre-solo knowledge test of § 61.87(b) for the [make and model] aircraft.
A.4 Pre-solo flight training: § 61.87(c)(1) and (2).
When you endorse a student for solo flight, you are ensuring that the requirements of 61.87 (f) have been met and that the student is proficient enough to conduct the solo flight in the specific make and model helicopter that they have demonstrated these maneuvers.
Sample endorsement
I certify that [First name, MI, Last name] has received and logged pre-solo flight training for the maneuvers and procedures that are appropriate to the [make and model] aircraft. I have determined [he or she] has demonstrated satisfactory proficiency and safety on the maneuvers and procedures required by § 61.87 in this or similar make and model of aircraft to be flown.
A.6 Solo flight (first 90 calendar-day period): § 61.87(n).
This endorsement is valid for 90 days from the date the endorsement was given. If 90 days elapse, give the student an additional 90-day solo endorsement after they have done the appropriate training.
Sample endorsement (first 90-day solo endorsement)
I certify that [First name, MI, Last name] has received the required training to qualify for solo flying. I have determined [he or she] meets the applicable requirements of § 61.87(n) and is proficient to make solo flights in [make and model].
Sample endorsement (additional 90-day solo endorsement)
I certify that [First name, MI, Last name] has received the required training to qualify for solo flying. I have determined that [he or she] meets the applicable requirements of § 61.87(p) and is proficient to make solo flights in [make and model].
A.61 R-44 solo endorsement: SFAR 73, section 2(b)(4).
In addition to the solo flight endorsement required by 61.87, if a student is soloing a Robinson R44 or R22, you will need to ensure that the student has logged 20 hours of dual given in the aircraft they are using to solo. This endorsement is valid for 90 days, if 90 days elapse, give the student another R-44 or R-22 solo endorsement. There is no separate additional 90-day endorsement per SFAR 73.
Sample endorsement
I certify that [First name, MI, Last name, Pilot Certificate No. _____] meets the experience requirements of SFAR 73, section 2(b)(4) and has been given training specified by SFAR 73, section 2(b)(4)(i–iv). [He or She] has been found proficient to solo the R-44 helicopter.
A.9 Solo cross-country flight: § 61.93(c)(1) and (2).
When the student is prepared to conduct solo cross-country operations, verify when you endorse the student's logbook, you have covered the training required in 61.93(g).
Sample endorsement
I certify that [First name, MI, Last name] has received the required solo cross-country training. I find [he or she] has met the applicable requirements of § 61.93, and is proficient to make solo cross-country flights in a [make and model] aircraft, [aircraft category].
A.10 Solo cross-country flight: § 61.93(c)(3).
A flight instructor must verify that the student's cross-country planning is correct for the flight, review current and forecasted weather so the flight can be completed under VFR, determine that the student is proficient to solo safely, ensure that the student has the appropriate solo cross country endorsement, and has the applicable and current solo endorsements.
Sample endorsement
I have reviewed the cross-country planning of [First name, MI, Last name]. I find the planning and preparation to be correct to make the solo flight from [origination airport] to [origination airport] via [route of flight] with landings at [names of the airports] in a [make and model] aircraft on [date]. [List any applicable conditions or limitations.]
A.32 Aeronautical knowledge test: §§ 61.35(a)(1), 61.103(d), and 61.105.
All student pilots are required to take and pass their aeronautical knowledge test, in this case, they would be taking the PRH (Private Pilot rotorcraft Helicopter). I usually have my students download the Private Pilot Prepware App, when they are consistently getting at least an 80% on practice tests, I will endorse them to take their test. This test is valid for 24 calendar months.
Sample endorsement
I certify that [First name, MI, Last name] has received the required training in accordance with § 61.105. I have determined [he or she] is prepared for the [name of] knowledge test.
A.2 Review of deficiencies identified on airman knowledge test: § 61.39(a)(6)(iii), as required.
Unless your student gets 100% on the aeronautical knowledge test, you will need to review the areas that were deemed insufficient on the knowledge test. The student must show satisfactory knowledge of these subject areas.
sample endorsement
I certify that [First name, MI, Last name] has demonstrated satisfactory knowledge of the subject areas in which [he or she] was deficient on the [applicable] airman knowledge test.
A.1 Prerequisites for practical test: Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61, § 61.39(a)(6)(i) and (ii).
When you give your student this endorsement, you are verifying that they meet the prerequisite requirements of part 61.39.
Sample endorsement
I certify that [First name, MI, Last name] has received and logged training time within 2 calendar-months preceding the month of application in preparation for the practical test and [he or she] is prepared for the required practical test for the issuance of [applicable] certificate.
A.33 Flight proficiency/practical test: §§ 61.103(f), 61.107(b), and 61.109.
When an instructor gives the student this endorsement, they verify that the student is eligible to take the practical test and that they have received the training required by part 61.
Sample endorsement
I certify that [First name, MI, Last name] has received the required training in accordance with §§ 61.107 and 61.109. I have determined [he or she] is prepared for the [name of] practical test.
Finally, it is the instructor's responsibility to comply with part 61.189. Flight instructors must maintain a record that contains the name of each person whose logbook the instructor has endorsed for solo flight privileges and the date of the endorsement. Additionally, every instructor must keep a record of every person they have endorsed for a knowledge test or practical test. the record shall indicate the type of test, the date, and the test results. Every flight instructor must maintain a record of this for 3 years.
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