FIRST SOLO - STUDENT PILOT
In this section we'll go over the requirements to complete your First Solo.
In order to solo an aircraft for the first time you must be at a certain skill level flying the aircraft before your instructor will turn you loose into the sky. Below you will find information on exactly what's expected of you. The first 10 to 20 hours or more of flight training is geared towards getting you ready for your first solo. Try not to expect a certain number of flight hours to reach this goal. It all depends on how quickly you pick up your new skills. Discuss with your instructor how your training is progressing and what you can do to reach this first big milestone.
To complete your first solo you must have the following items in your possession while flying solo as a student pilot:
Student pilot certificate
Click this link for instructions on acquiring your student pilot certificate.
Medical Certificate. You must have at least a 3rd class medical certificate.
Click this link for instructions on acquiring your medical certificate.
Identification. Government or State picture I.D.
Logbook with current hours logged.
Endorsements from your instructor for the first solo.
Think of the acronym SMILE.
Student pilot cert.
Medical.
Identification.
Logbook.
Endorsements.
Flight experience required for your first solo:
This information can be found in your FAR/AIM starting with 14 CFR 61.81 Subpart C - Student Pilots
Click the underlined links below to open a new page on the FAA website or follow along with your FAR/AIM
61.83 Eligibility requirements for student pilots. Age and English speaking requirements
61.85 Application. Student pilot certificate application
Application instructions click here
61.87 Solo requirements for student pilots Included in this part is Aeronautical Knowledge where you'll be required to pass a pre solo test and the Student Pilot pre solo Endorsements given to you by your instructor.
61.89 General limitations Describes what you can and can't do as a student pilot.
While looking over these requirements in your FAR/AIM it might be a good idea to tab pages and highlight sections that pertain to you as a student pilot. This will make it much easier to locate this information for future reference.