Student pilot limitations14 CFR 61.89 General limitations
A student pilot may not act as pilot in command while carrying a passenger, for compensation or hire, in furtherance of a business, or on an international flight outside one Alaska exception. A student also may not fly with a flight or surface visibility below 3 statute miles by day or 5 statute miles at night, or without visual reference to the surface.
By the ATIS Alerts team · Updated October 15, 2026 · Regulation text current as of October 14, 2026. A study aid based on the official regulation text, not legal advice or an FAA interpretation.
At a glance
- No passengers (a)(1).
- No carrying property for compensation or hire, no flying for compensation or hire, and no flying in furtherance of a business (a)(2) through (a)(4).
- No international flights, except solo training flights from Haines, Gustavus or Juneau, Alaska, to White Horse, Yukon, Canada, and return (a)(5).
- Flight or surface visibility of at least 3 statute miles during daylight hours and 5 statute miles at night (a)(6).
- Visual reference to the surface for the whole flight (a)(7), and no flying contrary to limitations an instructor placed in the logbook (a)(8).
- A student may act as pilot in command without a part 67 medical under the 61.113(i) conditions, with a valid U.S. driver's license and the 61.23(c)(3) requirements (d).
In plain English
Section 61.89 lists what a student pilot may not do as pilot in command. Under (a) a student may not carry a passenger, carry property for compensation or hire, fly for compensation or hire, or fly in furtherance of a business. International flights are also prohibited, with one narrow exception for solo training flights from Haines, Gustavus or Juneau, Alaska, to White Horse, Yukon, Canada, and return over the province of British Columbia.
Paragraph (a) also sets visibility limits of its own that apply in addition to the VFR minimums in 91.155. A student pilot may not act as pilot in command with a flight or surface visibility of less than 3 statute miles during daylight hours or 5 statute miles at night, or when the flight cannot be made with visual reference to the surface. Paragraph (a)(8) adds that a student may not fly in a manner contrary to any limitations an authorized instructor has placed in the logbook.
Paragraph (b) says a student may not serve as a required pilot flight crewmember on an aircraft that needs more than one pilot, except when receiving flight training from an authorized instructor on board an airship and no person other than a required flight crewmember is carried. Paragraph (c) adds limits for students seeking a sport pilot certificate, such as no night flight and no flight above 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher. Paragraph (d) allows a student to act as pilot in command without a part 67 medical if the student holds a valid U.S. driver's license, meets 61.23(c)(3) and flies under the conditions of 61.113(i); where those conditions conflict with (a) and (b), the student must follow (a) and (b).
Common mistakes
- Applying the Class G day minimum of 1 statute mile from 91.155. A student pilot needs at least 3 statute miles by day and 5 at night (a)(6).
- Forgetting the limitations an instructor wrote in the logbook. Flying contrary to them is prohibited (a)(8).
- Assuming cost sharing makes a passenger acceptable. The cost sharing rule in 61.113(c) is for private pilots, and a student may not carry a passenger at all (a)(1).
The official text
14 CFR 61.89 as published on the eCFR, current as of October 14, 2026.
(a) A student pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft:
(1) That is carrying a passenger;
(2) That is carrying property for compensation or hire;
(3) For compensation or hire;
(4) In furtherance of a business;
(5) On an international flight, except that a student pilot may make solo training flights from Haines, Gustavus, or Juneau, Alaska, to White Horse, Yukon, Canada, and return over the province of British Columbia;
(6) With a flight or surface visibility of less than 3 statute miles during daylight hours or 5 statute miles at night;
(7) When the flight cannot be made with visual reference to the surface; or
(8) In a manner contrary to any limitations placed in the pilot's logbook by an authorized instructor.
(b) A student pilot may not act as a required pilot flight crewmember on any aircraft for which more than one pilot is required by the type certificate of the aircraft or regulations under which the flight is conducted, except when receiving flight training from an authorized instructor on board an airship, and no person other than a required flight crewmember is carried on the aircraft.
(c) A student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate must comply with the provisions of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section and may not act as pilot in command—
(1) Of an aircraft other than an aircraft meeting the performance limits and design requirements of § 61.316;
(2) At night;
(3) At an altitude of more than 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher;
(4) In Class B, C, and D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, and to, from, through, or on an airport having an operational control tower without having received the ground and flight training specified in § 61.94 and an endorsement from an authorized instructor;
(5) Of an aircraft without having received the applicable ground training, flight training, and instructor endorsements specified in § 61.327 (a) and (b).
(d) The holder of a student pilot certificate may act as pilot in command of an aircraft without holding a medical certificate issued under part 67 of this chapter provided the student pilot holds a valid U.S. driver's license, meets the requirements of § 61.23(c)(3), and the operation is conducted consistent with the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section and the conditions of § 61.113(i). Where the requirements of paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section conflict with § 61.113(i), a student pilot must comply with paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section.
Test yourself
Practice questions from our free FAA written test prep that cite 14 CFR 61.89.
CFI Airplane
A student pilot may not operate an aircraft solo:
- A. when the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles during the day, or in furtherance of a business.
- B. unless accompanied by another student pilot.
- C. at any airport with an operating control tower.
- D. more than 25 nautical miles from the departure airport.
Show answer
A. when the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles during the day, or in furtherance of a business. Student solo limits include 3 SM day and 5 SM night visibility, flight with visual reference to the surface, no passengers, no property for compensation, and no flight in furtherance of a business.
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Questions pilots ask
Can a student pilot carry passengers?
No. A student pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft that is carrying a passenger (61.89(a)(1)).
What visibility does a student pilot need?
At least 3 statute miles flight or surface visibility during daylight hours and 5 statute miles at night (61.89(a)(6)), and the flight must be possible with visual reference to the surface (61.89(a)(7)). The VFR minimums in 91.155 still apply as well.
Does a student pilot need a medical certificate?
Generally at least a third-class medical (61.23(a)(3)(i)). However, 61.89(d) allows a student to act as pilot in command without a part 67 medical when holding a valid U.S. driver's license, meeting 61.23(c)(3) and flying under the conditions of 61.113(i), and students seeking a glider or balloon rating do not need one (61.23(b)(1)).
Can a student pilot fly to Canada?
Only in one case: solo training flights from Haines, Gustavus or Juneau, Alaska, to White Horse, Yukon, Canada, and return over the province of British Columbia (61.89(a)(5)).