Logbook Entries and Certificate Endorsements

Technical Subject Areas - task 2.M

Logbook Entries (FAR 61.189)

  • A flight instructor must sign the logbook of each person that instructor has given flight/ground training
  • Logbook entries must include (FAR 61.51):

    • Date

    • Airplane Make and Model

    • Total Flight Time

    • Location of Departure and Arrival

    • Aircraft Identification

    • Type of Experience (Solo, PIC, etc.)

    • Flight Conditions (Day, Night, Instrument, etc.)

    • Name of safety pilot, if required

Student Pilot Certificate Endorsements

(Including appropriate logbook entries)

Text

  • As of April 2016, flight instructors will no longer endorse student pilot certificates, but will make those endorsements in student pilot’s logbooks
    • FAR 61.93: Solo Cross Country
      • A student pilot must have a solo cross-country endorsement from the authorized instructor who conducted the training that is placed in the person’s logbook for the specific category of aircraft to be flown
    • FAR 61.87: A student pilot may not operate an aircraft in solo flight unless he/she has received:
      • An endorsement from an authorized instructor in his or her logbook for the specific make and model aircraft to be flown

Solo Flight

  • Presolo Aeronautical Knowledge - 61.87(b)
  • Presolo Flight Training – 61.87(c)
  • Presolo Flight Training at Night – 61.87(c) & (o)
  • Solo Flt (1st 90-day period) – 61.87(n) / (p) – addt’l 90
  • Solo T/Os & LDGs at an Airport within 25 nm – 61.93(b)(1)
  • TSA US Citizenship – 49 CFR 1552.3(h)

 

Solo Cross Country

  • Initial Solo XC Flight – 61.93(c)(1)(2)(3) 
  • Solo XC Flight – 61.93(c)(2)
  • Repeated Solo XCs not > 50 nm from the departure – 61.93(b)(2)

 

Class B

  • Solo Flight in Class B Airspace – 61.95(a)
  • Solo Flight, to/from/at a Class B airport – 61.95(a) & 91.131(b)(1)

 

Preparation of a Practical Test Recommendation

  • Each applicant must have received an endorsement from an authorized instructor who certified that the applicant received and logged the required flight time/training in preparation for the practical test within 2 calendar months preceding the month of application of the test and is prepared for the practical test
  • All applicants must have the required endorsements specified in Part 61 for the aircraft category, class, rating, or privilege of certification sought

  • The instructor and student must complete the IACRA rating application online

    • Or, the instructor/student must complete/sign a Form 8710-1

      • Most examiners no longer use this method, IACRA is heavily preferred

  • Except in certain instances, the applicant must hold at least a current 3rd class medical certificate

  • All applicants who reapply for a retest must present another endorsement stating the necessary training has been given and they are prepared for the practical test

    • A practical test, whether satisfactory or not, uses up the endorsement for that test

    • An instructor’s recommendation is required for each retest 

Practical Test Endorsements

Flight Review Endorsements

After the successful completion of a Flight Review the instructor must endorse the pilot’s logbook. An Instrument Proficiency Check (IPC) is performed by a CFII for instrument rated pilots.

 

  • Upon a satisfactory completion of an IPC the pilot’s logbook must be endorsed.
  • For an unsuccessful IPC or flight review no logbook entry regarding the flight review is required, though an entry for the instruction given should be made.
  • The IPC and flight review endorsement language is found in AC 61-65.

Along with the pilot’s records, a flight instructor is also obligated to maintain training records regarding instruction given.

A separate logbook or record should contain the following :

  1. The name of each person whose logbook that instructor has endorsed for solo flight privileges, and the date of the endorsement.

  2. The name of each person that instructor has endorsed for a knowledge test or practical test, and the record shall also indicate the kind of test, the date, and the results.

 

These records must be maintained for at least three years.

Flight Instructor Records

It is important to know the necessary endorsement and logbook requirements for many common situations. This way, the instructor has an idea of what is necessary prior to sending a student to take a test.

Questions?

Logbook Entries and Certificate Endorsements - 2.M

By Mark Berry

Logbook Entries and Certificate Endorsements - 2.M

The student should develop knowledge of the elements related to logbook entries and endorsements as required by the CFI PTS.

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