Figure 1-17.  Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards for Weight Shift  Control, Powered Parachute, and Flight Instructor. Title 14 CFR, part 61 specifies the requirements to earn a  pilot certificate. This regulation also states the pilot applicant  must be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English  language. The FAA Practical Test Standards (PTS) establish  the standards for the knowledge and skills necessary for the  issuance of a pilot certificate. It is important to reference both  of these documents to understand the knowledge, skills, and  experience required to obtain a pilot certificate to fly a WSC  aircraft.  [Figure 1-17] Pilot applicants and students flying solo must have a valid  driver’s license or a current third-class medical certifi cate  issued under 14 CFR part 67. In addition to a valid driver’s  license or a medical certificate, each pilot must determine  before each flight that he or she is medically fi t to operate  the aircraft in a safe manner. If using a valid driver’s license  to exercise the privileges of a sport pilot certifi cate, then  all restrictions on that driver’s license are also upheld. A  current FAA third-class medical certificate must be obtained  to exercise the privileges of a WSC private pilot certifi cate.  Existing pilots, including previous student pilots, who have  had their FAA medical certificate or most recent application  denied, revoked, withdrawn, or suspended by the FAA, are  not allowed to operate using a driver’s license until the denial  on the airman record is cleared by having a valid third class  medical certifi cate issued. In the interest of safety and good habit pattern formation,  there are certain basic flight safety practices and procedures  that must be emphasized by the flight instructor and adhered  to by both instructor and student, beginning with the very  first dual instruction flight. These include, but are not limited  to, collision avoidance procedures including proper scanning  techniques and clearing procedures, runway incursion  avoidance, and positive transfer of controls. All pilots must be alert to the potential for midair collision  and near midair collisions. The general operating and  flight rules in 14 CFR part 91 set forth the concept of “see  and avoid.” This concept requires that vigilance shall be  maintained at all times by each person operating an aircraft.  Most midair collision accidents and reported near midair  collision incidents occur in good visual flight rules (VFR)  weather conditions and during the hours of daylight. Most of  these accident/incidents occur within five miles of an airport  and/or near navigation aids. The “see and avoid” concept relies on knowledge of the  limitations of the human eye, and the use of proper visual  scanning techniques to help compensate for these limitations.  The importance of, and the proper techniques for, visual  scanning should be taught to a student pilot at the very  beginning of flight training. The competent fl ight instructor  should be familiar with the visual scanning and collision  avoidance information contained in Advisory Circular  (AC) 90-48, Pilot’s Role in Collision Avoidance, and the  Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM). It should be noted that any turn or maneuver must be  cleared before initiating. This is a most important concept  in flying any aircraft. Look and clear the area of any aircraft  or obstructions before any maneuver is performed. As an  example, if a right hand turn is to be performed, the pilot  must look right and clear the area before initiating any turn  to the right. This “clearing procedure” must be done before  performing any maneuver. This is an important habit for any student for safety purposes  and is incorporated into the pilot certification process. The  pilot must be trained by a CFI in effectively clearing the area  before any maneuver is performed.  Basic Pilot Eligibility Flight Safety Practices  Collision Avoidance 1-9