Certificated single engine land pilot Soloing in a gyroplane.

[Vance Breese]

I am training a single engine land certificated pilot to fly Sport Pilot Gyroplane. Do I have to fulfill the requirements of Sec. 61.87 in order for him to solo in his own gyroplane?

He feels because he is already a certificated pilot he does not need to address anything in 14CFR 61.87 "Solo requirements for student pilots."

I would appreciate your thoughts.

Thank you, Vance

 

[Tools]

Off the top of my head it’s a PIC endorsement that doesn’t allow pax… or something like that.

 

[Clip4]

61.31(d). To serve as the pilot in command of an aircraft, a person must—

(1) Hold the appropriate category, class, and type rating (if a class or type rating is required) for the aircraft to be flown; or
(2) Have received training required by this part that is appropriate to the pilot certification level, aircraft category, class, and type rating (if a class or type rating is required) for the aircraft to be flown, and have received an endorsement for solo flight in that aircraft from an authorized instructor.

 

[Greg Bockelman]

Wouldn’t 61.63(b) apply here?

 

[ColinD]

It's 61.31(d)(2) - the sample endorsement is "A.76" depicted on page A-21 of AC 61-65K

 

[Vance Breese]

Thank you all for your thoughts.

FAR 61.63 b 4 looks like most of the answer to my question.

(b) Additional aircraft category rating. A person who applies to add a category rating to a pilot certificate:

(4) Need not take an additional knowledge test, provided the applicant holds an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, weight-shift-control aircraft, powered parachute, or airship rating at that pilot certificate level.

Assuming the pre solo written test is considered an “additional knowledge test”.

 

[midwestpa24]

Thank you all for your thoughts.

FAR 61.63 b 4 looks like most of the answer to my question.

(b) Additional aircraft category rating. A person who applies to add a category rating to a pilot certificate:

(4) Need not take an additional knowledge test, provided the applicant holds an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, weight-shift-control aircraft, powered parachute, or airship rating at that pilot certificate level.

Assuming the pre solo written test is considered an “additional knowledge test”.

The knowledge test being referenced is the actual FAA written. No need to retake the Private written to add another category to that certificate. Not necessarily a pre-solo written. @Clip4 provided the correct reference.

 

[Clip4]

Wouldn’t 61.63(b) apply here?

Thank you all for your thoughts.

FAR 61.63 b 4 looks like most of the answer to my question.

(b) Additional aircraft category rating. A person who applies to add a category rating to a pilot certificate:

(4) Need not take an additional knowledge test, provided the applicant holds an airplane, rotorcraft, powered-lift, weight-shift-control aircraft, powered parachute, or airship rating at that pilot certificate level.

Assuming the pre solo written test is considered an “additional knowledge test”.You ask, “Do I have to fulfill the requirements of Sec. 61.87 in order for him to solo in his own gyroplane?”. The answer is yes you do.

You asked, “Do I have to fulfill the requirements of Sec. 61.87 in order for him to solo in his own gyroplane? The answer is yes.

61.63(b)(4) addresses the requirements for the person applying for an additional category to his certificate. Your student is not making an application to the FAA to solo. He is required to meet all the requirements of 61.87(a)(b)(c) and (g).