A 45-year-old private pilot passes a third-class medical exam on August 5, 2025. For private pilot privileges, when does the medical certificate expire?
- At the end of August 5, 2027
- At the end of August 31, 2030
- At the end of August 31, 2026
- At the end of August 31, 2027
Show the answer
D. At the end of August 31, 2027
A pilot who is 40 or older on the exam date gets 24 calendar months from a third-class medical, ending on the last day of the 24th month. The 2030 date would apply only if the pilot were under 40.
Reference: 14 CFR 61.23
To carry passengers during the day in a tricycle-gear single-engine airplane, a pilot must have made, within the preceding 90 days,
- three takeoffs and landings in any powered aircraft
- three takeoffs and landings in the same category and class
- five takeoffs and landings in the same make and model
- three hours of flight time in the same category and class
Show the answer
B. three takeoffs and landings in the same category and class
Passenger currency is three takeoffs and three landings as sole manipulator of the controls within 90 days in the same category and class (and type, if a type rating is required). Experience in any powered aircraft is not enough; an airplane single-engine land pilot needs it in that class.
Reference: 14 CFR 61.57(a)
A pilot wants to carry a passenger in a tailwheel airplane during the day. The three landings in the preceding 90 days must have been made
- as touch-and-goes in any single-engine airplane
- to a full stop in any single-engine airplane
- to a full stop in a tailwheel airplane
- with an instructor on board the tailwheel airplane
Show the answer
C. to a full stop in a tailwheel airplane
For tailwheel airplanes the three takeoffs and landings must be in a tailwheel airplane and the landings must be to a full stop. Full-stop landings in a nosewheel airplane do not meet the requirement.
Reference: 14 CFR 61.57(a)