Private Pilot (Airplane) Endorsement Cheat Sheet
Instructor sequence • 14 CFR Part 61 • FAA AC 61-65K, Appendix A • Checked 17 October 2026
How to use: Complete the required training and evaluation before signing. Each endorsement needs the instructor's signature, date, certificate number, and recent-experience end date or certificate expiration, as applicable. Substitute the student's name, aircraft, airports, route, test, and limitations. The wording below is a compact cue; use the full applicable FAA sample in AC 61-65K Appendix A when writing an endorsement. “No fixed period” means the cited rule does not assign one; prerequisites and the instructor's proficiency determination still apply.
1. Before and during student solo
| Endorsement | Give it / duration | Wording cue (FAA sample) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-solo knowledge A.3 · § 61.87(b) | After administering and reviewing the make-and-model pre-solo test; before first solo. No fixed period. | Certify satisfactory completion of the § 61.87(b) pre-solo knowledge test for [make/model]. |
| Pre-solo flight training A.4 · § 61.87(c) | After required maneuvers and procedures and demonstrated proficiency; before first solo. No fixed period. | Certify logged pre-solo flight training and satisfactory proficiency and safety in [make/model] or similar make/model. |
| Solo flight A.6/A.7 · § 61.87(n),(p) | Before solo in the specific make/model; renew for each additional 90-calendar-day period. | Certify required solo training, applicable § 61.87 requirements, and proficiency for solo in [make/model]. |
| Solo cross-country training A.9 · § 61.93(c)(1),(2) | After cross-country ground/flight training and proficiency; before solo cross-country. No fixed period; specific category and make/model. | Certify required solo cross-country training and proficiency in [make/model], [category]. |
| Each solo cross-country A.10 · § 61.93(c)(3) | After reviewing that flight's planning and current/forecast conditions; each flight, except the authorized repeated-route case. | State correct planning for [origin–route–landings] in [make/model] on [date], with limitations. |
2. Conditional student-solo endorsements
| When applicable | Give it / duration | Wording cue (FAA sample) |
|---|---|---|
| Solo at night A.5 · § 61.87(o) | After airport-specific night training; expires 90 calendar days after that training. | Certify night takeoffs, approaches, landings, go-arounds, and local night navigation at [airport]. |
| Other airport ≤25 NM A.8 · § 61.93(b)(1) | After training both directions and at that airport; for takeoff/landing practice. No fixed period; current solo endorsement also required. | Certify § 61.93(b)(1) training and proficiency at [airport]; list limitations. |
| Repeated route ≤50 NM A.11 · § 61.93(b)(2) | After training both directions; permits repeated flights on the specified route without a new per-flight planning endorsement. Current solo and cross-country endorsements required. | Certify route/airport training and proficiency between [airports]; list limitations. |
| Class B airspace / airport A.12/A.13 · § 61.95 | After applicable training and proficiency; before solo in named Class B airspace or to/from/at named Class B airport. Endorsement must be dated within 90 days before the flight; check airport prohibitions. | Certify § 61.95(a) or (b) training and proficiency for [airspace/airport]; list limitations. |
3. Knowledge test and practical test
| Endorsement | Give it / duration | Wording cue (FAA sample) |
|---|---|---|
| Private knowledge test A.36 · §§ 61.35, 61.103(d), 61.105 | After required ground training or home study and readiness determination; before the test. No general FAA expiration period for the endorsement. | Certify § 61.105 training and preparedness for the [name] knowledge test. |
| Practical-test preparation A.1 · § 61.39(a)(6)(i),(ii) | Before application: training received and logged within 2 calendar months preceding the month of application; certify readiness. This is not a fixed 60 days. | Certify recent logged training and preparedness for the [applicable] practical test. |
| Knowledge-test deficiencies A.2 · § 61.39(a)(6)(iii) | Before practical test, if the knowledge-test report identifies deficient areas. Review them and find knowledge satisfactory. | Certify satisfactory knowledge in the deficient subject areas on the [applicable] knowledge test. |
| Private flight proficiency A.37 · §§ 61.103(f), 61.107, 61.109 | After required flight training, experience, and proficiency; before practical test. In addition to A.1 and A.2 as applicable. No separate fixed expiration period. | Certify §§ 61.107 and 61.109 training and preparedness for the [name] practical test. |
| Retest after failure A.77 · § 61.49 | After additional training from the endorsing instructor and a new proficiency determination; before retaking the failed knowledge or practical test. | Certify additional training and proficiency to pass the specified retest; use the FAA A.77 model. |
Drafting sequence for the test endorsements
A.36 · Knowledge: Identify the applicant; certify the § 61.105 training; state readiness for the named knowledge test.
A.1 · Recent preparation: Identify the applicant; certify logged practical-test training within the 2-calendar-month window and readiness for the applicable test.
A.2 · Deficiencies, if required: Identify the applicant and test; certify satisfactory knowledge in the areas marked deficient on the test report.
A.37 · Private proficiency: Identify the applicant; certify training under §§ 61.107 and 61.109; state readiness for the named practical test.
Keep these clocks separate: The passing knowledge-test result is generally usable for a practical test for 24 calendar months (exceptions apply). The initial/recurrent student solo authorization runs 90 calendar days. The practical-test preparation training has the 2-calendar-month lookback. None of those gives the private knowledge-test endorsement a 24-month expiration.
Training-security record: AC 61-65K A.14 also gives a recommended U.S.-citizenship endorsement for the separate Transportation Security Administration verification requirement. Under 49 CFR § 1552.15, use an allowed recordkeeping method; a logbook endorsement or retained document copies may be options. This is not a Part 61 solo or test endorsement.