Student Pilot Solo Endorsement Guide
Diego Suarez
A student pilot solo endorsement is not just one signature. In AC 61-65K, the solo path starts with pre-solo knowledge and pre-solo flight training, then moves into the first 90-day solo authorization, solo cross-country approvals, nearby-airport operations, Class B endorsements, night solo, and TSA citizenship documentation when applicable.
That is why instructors should not stop at A.6. A.3 and A.4 build the pre-solo foundation, A.6 authorizes the first 90-calendar-day solo period, and A.5, A.7, A.8, A.9, A.10, A.11, A.12, A.13, and A.14 may matter depending on the student's route, airport, time of day, airspace, and records method. Use Simply Endorsed as the AC 61-65K reference layer, and use the broader FAA endorsements list when comparing solo endorsements against written-test, checkride, flight review, IPC, and aircraft endorsement paths.
Relevant endorsements
Pre-solo aeronautical knowledge
Confirms the student passed the required pre-solo knowledge test for that make and model.
Pre-solo flight training
Shows the student received the required pre-solo flight training and is proficient in that make and model.
Pre-solo flight training at night
Use when the planned solo involves night training at the airport where the solo flight will be conducted.
First solo and additional 90-day solo periods
A.6 authorizes the first 90-calendar-day solo period. A.7 renews solo authority for each additional 90-calendar-day period.
Solo at another airport within 25 NM
Use when the student will make solo takeoffs and landings at another airport within 25 NM of the airport where training was received.
Solo cross-country endorsements
Review the initial solo cross-country authorization, route-specific planning approval, and repeated solo XC within 50 NM before sending a student beyond the local solo pattern.
Class B airspace and Class B airport solo
Review separately when the student will solo in Class B airspace or to, from, or at a Class B airport.
TSA citizenship endorsement
Records the TSA-recommended citizenship endorsement when the endorsement method is used instead of keeping document copies.
Common mistakes
- Giving A.6 without confirming the pre-solo knowledge and flight-training entries.
- Letting the 90-calendar-day solo period expire without issuing the correct renewal endorsement.
- Using first-solo wording for a nearby-airport, night, or Class B scenario that has a separate endorsement path.
- Treating the TSA citizenship endorsement as a substitute for verifying the student's full solo eligibility.
Reference aid only. Verify the student's make and model, solo timing, airport, airspace, TSA documentation method, current regulations, and current FAA guidance before endorsing a logbook.
Want help applying this endorsement guidance?
These guides cover the endorsement flow. If you want help turning that reference into a real training plan, discovery flight, or checkride-prep conversation, reach out.