How to become a Student Pilot

How to Get a Student Pilot Certificate (Power and Glider)
And
How to Get a Medical Certificate (Power Only)

New student pilots will go through a process similar to that of private pilots, receiving their hard plastic student pilot certificates in the mail. Students need a student pilot certificate in order to fly solo in an aircraft; they don’t need one in order to start training.  This process provides the Transportation Security Administration time to review student pilot applications as part of an anti-terrorism screening program mandated by Congress. The student pilot certificate will never expire.

Student pilot certificate:
In order to get a student pilot certificate, you’ll need to complete an application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website OR by paper using FAA form 8710-1 and submit it to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), an FAA-designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative associated with a part 141 flight school, or a certificated flight instructor. It is STRONGLY encouraged you use the IACRA system. The authorized individual will process your application and submit the required documents to the Airmen Certification Branch.  If using IACRA, a temporary certificate valid for 120 days will be available on line in less than a week after application.  A permanent plastic student pilot certificate will be mailed to the address provided by you on the application thereafter.
Step 1: Fill out the application:

• Register for IACRA and fill out the application:  https://iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/Default.aspx
• Fill out FAA form 8710-1:  http://www.faa.gov/documentlibrary/media/form/faa_8710-1.pdf

Step 2: Find someone to verify your identity and help you submit the application:

• Find a Part 141 flight school here: http://av-info.faa.gov/PilotSchool.asp
• Find a Part 61 flight school or individual flight instructor here:  http://www.aopa.org/learntofly/school/schoolresults.cfm
• Find the nearest Designated Pilot Examiner here:  http://av-info.faa.gov/DesigneeSearch.asp
• Find the nearest Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) here:  http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/field_offices/fsdo/
• Any individual certified flight instructor (CFI) can also verify your identity and help you submit the application.  There is surely a CFI in your Wing if not your unit who can support you

Applications submitted using IACRA will minimize this time. With IACRA, your temporary student pilot certificate will be available on line within a week while the permanent certificate will take about three weeks to arrive in the mail.  A permanent student pilot certificate (which never expires) or an unexpired temporary certificate (valid for 120 days) is required in order to solo any aircraft.
 
Previously-held student pilot certificates:
If you held a student pilot certificate prior to April 1, 2016, it will remain valid until it expires, either 24 or 60 months after the month of the date of issuance (see below)
14 CFR 61.19(b): Duration of [student] pilot certificates

1. For student pilots who have not reached their 40th birthday, the student pilot certificate does not expire until 60 calendar months after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
2. For student pilots who have reached their 40th birthday, the student pilot certificate does not expire until 24 calendar months after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.

Am I eligible for a student pilot certificate?
You are eligible if:

• You are at least 16 years old. If you plan to pilot a glider or balloon, you must be at least 14 years old.
• You can read, speak, and understand English

When you fill out the application, you will also need to provide proof of identity, such as government-issued photo ID.

Proof of having submitted the application
In order to start training, you’ll need to provide proof that you either have a student pilot certificate, OR that you’ve filled out the application. If you use IACRA to fill out the application, you can take a screenshot of the initial IACRA dashboard as proof of application.  Make sure the screenshot shows your FTN and your application ID. (sample below).

If you filled out FAA Form 8710-1, you can submit a scanned copy of the form into Ops Quals as proof of application.

Reference: AC 61-65F, official source of FAA student pilot certificate guidance.

Medical certificate:
The process for getting a medical certificate is to make an appointment with the nearest Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). A database of AMEs is located here:  http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/medical_certification.  Make your appointment early as it could take up to 4 weeks to make an appointment.