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4 Answers

Recreational Pilot Endorsement for Class D airspace

Asked by: 2813 views Flight Instructor, General Aviation

In the process of getting my Recreational Pilot license. I will be limited to a 50 mile radius around my home airport.  There is no Class B and only one Class C in that space. I have no need to go there.

However, I would like, at some point, to get endorsed for Class D as there are several I might want to fly to later on. Can I get an endorsement only for Class D and if so, how may different Class D airports would I need to train at to obtain this endorsement?

Also, when such an endorsement is given, does it last forever?

 

§ 61.101 Recreational pilot privileges and limitations.
(d) A person who holds a recreational pilot certificate may act as pilot in command of an aircraft in Class B, C, and D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, and to, from, through, or at an airport having an operational control tower, provided that person has -
(1) Received and logged ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the following aeronautical knowledge areas and areas of operation, as appropriate to the aircraft rating held:
(i) The use of radios, communications, navigation system and facilities, and radar services.
(ii) Operations at airports with an operating control tower to include three takeoffs and landings to a full stop, with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport with an operating control tower.
(iii) Applicable flight rules of part 91 of this chapter for operations in Class B, C, and D airspace and air traffic control clearances;
(2) Been found proficient in those aeronautical knowledge areas and areas of operation specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section; and
(3) Received from an authorized instructor a logbook endorsement, which is carried on the person's possession or readily accessible in the aircraft, that certifies the person has received and been found proficient in those aeronautical knowledge areas and areas of operation specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.

I located this additional information:

https://www.faa.gov/documentLibrary/media/Advisory_Circular/AC_61-65H.pdf

See A.31

Getting back to my question, can the CFI endorse ONLY for the Class D and not have to train me for Class C/B?

Thanks!

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4 Answers

  1. Best Answer


    Mark Kolber on Aug 20, 2020

    The 61.101(d) endorsement is a one-time endorsement which, in effect, gives you the same privileges as a private pilot to fly in airspace which requires communications. I’m not aware of anything which would allow an instructor to limit it to only Class D or, for that matter exclude individual Class D airports which are “too busy.”

    That does not mean you *must* fly into a Class C or B airport as part of the training. I’m sure there are parts of the country where students for the private certificate have not flown during training into Class C airspace and many who have never flown into Class B. Personally, with a nearby Class C, I can’t imagine giving the endorsement without a trip there nut as with all endorsements, it is going to up to your instructor to determine what activities – flight and ground – will meet your instructor’s standards for giving the endorsement.

    And, BTW, there is no reason to be put off by Class C (and really, Class B either). What makes Class C Class C is not number of operations. It’s the inclusion of significant airline or military operations. For example, when I moved to North Carolina, I laughed a little when pilots told me they were hesitant to fly into busy RDU, which is close to my nontowered home base. As it turns out, you would have to combine the operations of three nearby Class C areas, RDU, GSO and FAY, to achieve the number of annual operations which took place at the Class D where I was based for the 20 years before moving to NC.

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  2. stillkicking on Aug 20, 2020

    Thanks, Mark, for the detailed reply.

    It’s not that I’m put off by the one Class C in my 50 mile area it’s that the ATC has made it clear they do not want us VFR pilots going there.

    Why stir up a hornets nest.

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  3. Mark Kolber on Aug 20, 2020

    What Class C is that? In 30 years I have never heard of a Class C which made it clear it doesn’t want VFR pilots in its airspace.

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  4. stillkicking on Dec 13, 2020

    Just following up on this thread I started a while back.

    The FAA is rather vague, at least as far as I can find, in exactly what the requirements are for obtaining the towered airport endorsement. Can I assume it would be similar to that required for the private pilot license? That would seem to make the most sense.

    I did find that for private pilot you are required to have soloed to and done “three T/O”s and landings to a full stop at an airport with an operating tower.”

    What I cannot find is how many different towered airports you must land at.

    Can someone provide some guidance on this for me?

    Thanks much.

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