---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 61.97"
title: "14"
number: "61.97"
heading: "Aeronautical knowledge."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/61.97"
---

# §61.97. Aeronautical knowledge.

- (a) **General.** A person who applies for a recreational pilot certificate must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas of [paragraph (b)](#b) of this section that apply to the aircraft category and class rating sought.
- (b) **Aeronautical knowledge areas.**
  - (1) Applicable Federal Aviation Regulations of this chapter that relate to recreational pilot privileges, limitations, and flight operations;
  - (2) Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board;
  - (3) Use of the applicable portions of the “Aeronautical Information Manual” and FAA advisory circulars;
  - (4) Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage with the aid of a magnetic compass;
  - (5) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts;
  - (6) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence;
  - (7) Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance;
  - (8) Weight and balance computations;
  - (9) Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems;
  - (10) Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques, if applying for an airplane single-engine rating;
  - (11) Aeronautical decision making and judgment; and
  - (12) **Preflight action that includes—**
    - (i) How to obtain information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and
    - (ii) **How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or delays are encountered.**

## Notes

### Amendments

[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40902, July 30, 1997]

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701-44703, 44707, 44709-44711, 44729, 44903, 45102-45103, 45301-45302.

### Source

Source: Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40902, July 30, 1997]