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Requirements for pilot locensing are included in Part 61 of the Federal Aviation Regulations, the basic requirements are as follows:
Student Pilots may solo at a minimum age of 14 with a student certificate endorsed for solo flight at the discretion of a Certified Flight Instructor-Glider.
Private Pilots-Glider must be at least 16 years old, pass the written FAA examination, receive ground instruction, hold a student certificate endorsed for solo flight, pass a flight test and log at least one of the following:
| a) | Seventy solo glider flights, including 20 flights during which 360 turns were made. |
| b) | Seven hours of solo flight in gliders, including 35 glider flights launched by ground tows or 20 glider flights launched by aerotows. |
| c) | Forty hours of flight time in gliders and single-engine airplanes, including 10 solo glider flights during which 360 degree turns were made. |
Commercial Pilots-Glider must be at least 18 years old, hold a Private Pilot-Glider license, pass a written FAA examination, pass a flight test and meet either of the following aeronautical experience requirements:
| a) | A total of at least 25 hours of pilot time in aircraft, including 20 hours in gliders, and a total of 100 glider flights as pilot in command, including 25 flights during which 360 degree turns were made; or |
| b) | A total of 200 hours of pilot time in heavier-than-air aircraft, including, 20 glider flights as pilot in command during which 360 degree turns were made. |
Certificated Flight Instructors-Glider must hold a commercial rating, pass a written and flight test, and have an endorsement from a qualified instructor of aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency.
Private Pilots-Airplane holding a valid FAA license with 40 hours of pilot-in-command need a minimum of 10 solo flights to qualify to take the glider flight test. No written exam is required to add a glider rating to a power license.
In all cases, refer to the Federal Aviation Regulations for details on pilot licensing.
