Student pilot certificate

In the US, a student pilot certificate is issued to a pilot in training, and is a pre-requisite for the student to fly alone in the aircraft, or solo. It is usually initially issued by a medical doctor who is also an authorized aviation medical examiner, in conjunction with the student's first medical certificate. The doctor will issue a combination medical and student pilot certificate if the applicant meets the medical standards, and the flight instructor will later endorse the certificate when the student meets various training endorsement requirements (including the requirements for solo flight).

Obtaining a student pilot certificate authorizing solo flight requires 4 steps:

1. be 16 years of age or older (14 years for gliders and balloons)
2. pass a flight physical administered by an aviation medical examiner (for powered aircraft only, excluding gliders and balloons)
3. receive ground and flight instruction
4. earn an endorsement from a certificated flight instructor

See also

• Pilot certification in the United States – Student pilot