Flight Training - June 2015 - 6

MEMBER BENEFITS
A COMPLETE LIST of member
benefits is online (www.aopa.org/
membership/membership-options.
aspx).

RUNNING OUT OF TIME?

THE FAA'S INTERPRETATION OF SOLO ENDORSEMENTS

ow long is the solo endorsement valid? First-time
student pilots are governed primarily by the regulations in Part 61, Subpart C, sections 61.81 through
61.95. Solo flight endorsements generally are not
valid beyond 90 days. Solo cross-country endorsements generally are valid only after an instructor has checked the student's
preparation for the particular flight, and reviewed the current and
forecast weather conditions for the flight. The FAA clarified that
the solo flight time requirements, and endorsements for pilots
who hold a higher level of pilot certificate and are seeking an
additional category and/or class rating, are included in FAR 61.63. That regulation does
not limit the effectiveness of an instructor's endorsement in time. The express language
of the subpart for student pilots "applies only to those persons who are seeking or hold a
student pilot certificate. Unlike solo endorsements for student pilots, [FAR] 61.31(d) does
not contain any time limitation for the endorsement." A pilot in Alaska had a multiengine solo endorsement from his flight instructor, who was going to be out of the state for
the winter months. He was concerned the solo endorsement would expire before the
instructor returned. He does not have to worry about that solo endorsement running
out. Questions? Call the Pilot Information Center (800-872-2672) or (www.aopa.org).
MEMBERSHIP. Modify your student trial
membership or take the next step and
become an official member of AOPA. You'll
continue receiving all of the following
great benefits, services, and discounts
while supporting the organization protecting your right to fly. Student members
can join AOPA at a special reduced rate
of just $35 (www.aopa.org/membership/
membership-options.aspx).
FLIGHT TRAINING HELPLINE. Dedicated
toll-free number (888-232-7456) for
student pilot members to call for support,
advice, and answers to help you reach your
flight training goals.
ADVOCACY. Taking on regulatory and legislative threats to GA at national, state, and
local levels has remained the association's
primary focus for 75 years (www.aopa.org/
advocacy).
MAGAZINES. As a student member you'll
receive Flight Training magazine (print or
digital). When you renew your membership, you'll have the option of selecting
AOPA Pilot (flighttraining.aopa.org).
NEWSLETTERS. Customizable weekly
email newsletters offer aviation industry

FLIGHTTRAINING.AOPA.ORG

news, information, and tips. Sign up online
(www.aopa.org/news-and-video/
newsletters.aspx).
AOPA AIR SAFETY INSTITUTE. A wide
array of interactive online courses, safety
quizzes, webinars, and seminars to help
you increase your knowledge and become
a safer pilot (www.airsafetyinstitute.org).
AOPA LIVE. Weekly webcast show recaps
the week's news and showcases aviation
feature stories (www.aopa.org/aopalive).
CAR RENTAL DISCOUNTS. AOPA members save on car rentals with our strategic
partners: Enterprise, National, and Alamo
(www.aopa.org/cars).
AOPA LIFESTYLES COLLECTION. Save
money with exclusive members-only discounts and special offers from top aviation
and nonaviation companies (www.aopa.
org/lifestyles).
RENTER'S INSURANCE. A renter's policy
with AOPA Insurance Services provides
comprehensive coverage (www.aopa
insurance.org/rent).
CFI INSURANCE. Whether you're an
instructor/owner, borrowing or renting
aircraft, full-time or part-time, we can

provide comprehensive coverage for both
professional and personal use (www.
aopainsurance.org/cfi).
LIFE INSURANCE. We also protect you
and your loved ones in the air and on the
ground with term life insurance, emergency assistance, and AD&D insurance
(www.aopainsurance.org/life).
PILOT INFORMATION CENTER. Experienced pilots and CFIs are available on
our toll-free helpline (800-872-2672).
You can also go online (www.aopa.org/
pilot-resources/pilot-informationcenter.aspx) for access to information
most often requested by our members.
FLIGHT PLANNING. Robust flightplanning capability; airport directory
information; and aviation weather for your
smartphone, iPad, or computer (www.
aopa.org/flightplanning).
WEATHER. Online graphical real-time
aviation weather information (www.aopa.
org/wx).
AIRPORT INFORMATION. Online
directory with vital preflight information,
updated daily (www.aopa.org/airports).
LEGAL AND MEDICAL HELP. AOPA Legal
Services Plan/Pilot Protection Services
safeguards pilot and medical certificates
from FAA action (www.aopa.org/pps).
AOPA FOUNDATION. Your tax-deductible
donation provides funding for important
work that membership dues alone cannot
support: safety, education, growing the
pilot population, preserving airports, and
providing support for good work being
done in general aviation (www.aopa
foundation.org).
AOPA AVIATION FINANCE COMPANY.

Whether you're purchasing an airplane for
personal travel or your business, we can
help you find the right financing for new
and used general aviation aircraft (www.
aopafinance.com).
AVIATION JOB BOARD. Find your career in
aviation or the best candidates to complete
your team (http://jobs.aopa.org).

Flight Training - June 2015

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Flight Training - June 2015