Prepare for: Preparing for Your First Solo
What has to happen before your instructor signs you off to fly alone, and how to prepare for the big day.
Your CFI's syllabus and your airplane's POH come first. This page is a general study aid to help you show up prepared.
What you'll do
- Pass your instructor's pre-solo written knowledge test and review the answers (14 CFR 61.87).
- Show consistent, safe takeoffs, landings and go-arounds in the airplane you'll solo.
- Have your student pilot certificate and, for airplane solo toward a private certificate, a medical certificate.
- Get the 61.87 solo endorsements in your logbook (make and model, within the past 90 days).
- On the day: your instructor gets out, you fly (usually three takeoffs and landings), and you'll never forget it.
The standard you'll be held to
Quoted from the current FAA Airman Certification Standards for each level that tests this.
There's no ACS task for this lesson. It's covered by 14 CFR and your instructor's syllabus.
Read it in the FAA handbooks
The official chapters behind this page. Each link opens the exact chapter, free on faa.gov. See the full Study Library.
Airplane Flying HandbookChapter 8Airport Traffic PatternsChapter PDF · free, official (opens in a new tab)Airplane Flying HandbookChapter 9Approaches and LandingsChapter PDF · free, official (opens in a new tab)PHAKChapter 14Airport OperationsOpens the PHAK at this chapter · free, official (opens in a new tab)
Prepare the night before
- Study the airspace, airport and airplane for the pre-solo test.
- Make sure your student pilot certificate is in hand.
- Know your solo limitations (weather, winds, airports).
Common mistakes
- Waiting until the last minute for the student certificate or medical.
- Not knowing your solo endorsement limits.
Questions to ask your instructor
- What weather and wind limits will my solo endorsement have?
- What do you want to see from me before you sign me off?
Related lessons
Check yourself
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