FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)RegulationsMedium
A student sport pilot is preparing to make a solo cross-country flight to a specific airport for the first time. What must the instructor's logbook endorsement address before this flight?
- AVerbal approval from the instructor is sufficient; no logbook entry is required
- BOnly an aircraft category and class endorsement, since cross-country endorsements are not required for sport pilots
- CA single blanket endorsement covering all future solo cross-country flights the student may make
- DAn endorsement for that specific flight or set of flights, including applicable conditions and limitations set by the instructor
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. An endorsement for that specific flight or set of flights, including applicable conditions and limitations set by the instructor
Under 14 CFR 61.93 (applied to student sport pilots), each solo cross-country flight or series of flights must be specifically endorsed by an authorized instructor in the student's logbook, including any conditions or limitations the instructor determines necessary for that flight or flights.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A logbook entry, not just verbal approval, is required.
- B. Cross-country endorsements are required in addition to category/class endorsements.
- C. A single blanket endorsement for all future flights does not meet 61.93 requirements.
Solo Cross-Country Endorsement (61.93)
A student pilot must receive a specific logbook endorsement for each solo cross-country flight or defined series of flights, with any instructor-imposed limitations.
- Applies under 61.93
- Must specify route/conditions/limitations
- Separate from general solo flight endorsement in 61.87
Memory trick: Each cross-country trip needs its own signed permission slip.