14 CFR Part 141 Pilot Schools 14 CFR Part 61 Instruction  Glider Certificate Eligibility Requirements Pilot schools that are certificated under 14 CFR part  141 provide a more structured training program with a  standardized FAA-approved training syllabus. This ensures  that all necessary skills are taught in a specific order through  approved lesson plans. Under part 141, students are also  required to complete a specific number of hours of formal  ground instruction either in a classroom or one on one with an  FAA-certificated flight instructor. Students are also required  to pass the FAA knowledge and practical tests. In order to  obtain approval and maintain their part 141 certification, pilot  schools must adhere to several FAA regulations. Because part 141 pilot schools must adhere to the approved  training regiment, their students are allowed to complete the  pilot certificate or rating in fewer flight training hours than  required by part 61. However, most students generally exceed  the reduced part 141 flight training hour requirements in order  to meet the proficiency standards to pass the practical test.  Pilot training conducted under 14 CFR part 61 offers a  somewhat more flexible and less structured training program  than that conducted under part 141. A part 61 training  syllabus is not subject to FAA approval; therefore, flight  instructors have the flexibility to rearrange lesson plans to  suit the individual needs of their students. However, it is  important to understand that flight instructors must adhere  to the requirements of part 61 and train their students to the  standards of part 61.  Training under part 61 does not require the student to  complete a formal ground school. Instead, students have  the following three options: (1) attend a ground school  course, (2) complete a home-study program, or (3) hire a  certificated flight or ground instructor to teach and review  any materials that they choose. Regardless of which option a  student chooses to take, all students are required to pass the  FAA knowledge and practical tests for the pilot certificate or  rating for which they are applying. The requirements for pilot  training under part 61 are less structured than those under  part 141, and part 61 may require more flight training hours  to obtain a pilot certificate or rating than part 141.  Most glider training programs can be found on the SSA  website at www.ssa.org. Once you choose a general  location, make a checklist of things to look for in a training  organization. By talking to pilots, visiting the facility, and  reading articles in pilot magazines, a checklist can be made  and used to evaluate your options. Your choice might depend  on whether you are planning to obtain a sport or private pilot  certificate or pursuing a higher pilot certificate or a flight  instructor certificate toward becoming a professional glider  pilot. The quality of training is very important and should be  the first priority when choosing a course of training. Prior to  making a final decision, visit the facility being considered  and talk with management, instructors, and both current and  former students. Evaluate all training requirements using a  checklist, and then take some time to think things over before  making a decision.  After deciding where to learn to fly and making the necessary  arrangements, training can begin. An important fact: ground  and flight training should be obtained as regularly and  frequently as possible. This assures maximum retention of  instruction and the achievement of proficiency for which  every pilot should strive.  To be eligible to fly a glider solo, an individual must  be at least 14 years of age and demonstrate satisfactory  aeronautical knowledge on a test developed by an instructor.  A student must also have received and logged ground and  flight training for the maneuvers and procedures in 14 CFR  part 61 that are appropriate to the make and model of aircraft  to be flown. A student pilot must demonstrate satisfactory  proficiency and safety. Only after all of these requirements  are met can an instructor endorse a student’s certificate and  logbook for solo flight. To be eligible for a private pilot certificate with a glider rating,  an individual must be at least 16 years of age, complete the  specific training and flight time requirements described in  14 CFR part 61, pass a knowledge test, and successfully  complete a practical test. To be eligible for a commercial or flight instructor glider  certificate, an individual must be 18 years of age, complete  the specific training requirements described in 14 CFR part  61, pass the required knowledge tests, and pass another  practical test. If currently a pilot for a powered aircraft is  adding a glider category rating on that certificate, the pilot  is exempt from the knowledge test but must satisfactorily  complete the practical test. Certificated glider pilots are not  required to hold an airman medical certificate to operate a  glider. However, they must not have any medical deficiencies. 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  the PTS, FAA Advisory Circular (AC) 60-22, Aeronautical  Decision Making, Pilots Handbook of Aeronautical  Knowledge (FAA-H-8083-25), and the Risk Management  Handbook (FAA-H-8083-2) to understand the knowledge,  skills, and experience required to obtain a pilot certificate to  1-5