FAA Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA)Regulations (14 CFR 61/91)Hard
A 15-year-old applicant wants to begin training toward solo flight in a glider. According to 14 CFR 61.83, is this applicant eligible to hold a student pilot certificate for glider training?
- ANo, because an applicant must be at least 16 years old to hold a student pilot certificate in any category of aircraft
- BNo, because a student pilot certificate for gliders cannot be issued before age 17
- CYes, because the minimum age to hold a student pilot certificate for glider or balloon operations is 14 years
- DYes, but only if accompanied by a CFI on every flight, since solo flight itself requires the applicant to be at least 16
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. Yes, because the minimum age to hold a student pilot certificate for glider or balloon operations is 14 years
14 CFR 61.83 sets the minimum age for a student pilot certificate at 16 years for most aircraft, but only 14 years for gliders and balloons. Since this applicant is 15, they meet the reduced minimum age requirement specifically applicable to glider training.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. The 16-year minimum applies to airplanes and other categories, not gliders/balloons.
- B. 17 is not a recognized minimum age threshold under 61.83.
- D. There is no rule requiring CFI accompaniment on all flights once eligible to solo at the appropriate age.
Student Pilot Age Eligibility (61.83)
Sets minimum age requirements for a student pilot certificate: 16 years for most categories, but 14 years for gliders and balloons.
- General minimum age: 16 years
- Reduced minimum age: 14 years for glider and balloon
- Applicant must also read, speak, write, and understand English
Memory trick: 14 for gliders/balloons floats lower than the 16-year bar.