Updated: 10:14 am ET December 18, 2007
Before you can fly solo. You don't need a student pilot's certificate to take flying lessons.
You are eligible if:
Upon your request, an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner will issue you a combined medical certificate and Student Pilot Certificate after you complete your physical examination. Student Pilot Certificates may be issued by an FAA inspector or an FAA-designated pilot examiner. Applicants who fail to meet certain requirements or who have physical disabilities which might limit, but not prevent, their acting as pilots, should contact the nearest FAA office. Locate an Aviation Medical Examiner.
They expire 2 years from the date they were issued.
No, but you can get a new one.
No, the endorsements are still valid. However, they are not transferred to the new certificate. Keep the old certificate as a record of these endorsements.
Before the solo flight. The endorsement certifies that you are competent to solo.
Yes. Your flight instructor must make this endorsement before you solo in each make or model of aircraft.
No. You also have to get a cross-country flight endorsement from you flight instructor.
Yes.
Not when it's issued by an FAA Flight Standards District Office. However, an FAA-designated pilot examiner can charge for issuing student pilot's certificates. Also, an FAA-authorized aviation medical examiner can charge for your physical examination in connection with issuing the combination medical certificate and student pilot's certificate.
10:14 am ET December 18, 2007