Definition
A section of Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 61, that establishes the requirements for issuing additional aircraft ratings (such as a category, class, or type rating) to a pilot who already holds a pilot certificate. It specifies the aeronautical knowledge, flight experience, and training endorsements a pilot must obtain before being eligible for the practical test for the additional rating.
Plain English
This is the FAA rule that explains what a pilot already holding a certificate has to do to add a new aircraft rating to it — for example, adding a multi-engine rating to a private pilot certificate. It lists the knowledge, training, and instructor sign-offs required before taking the checkride for that new rating.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight instructor endorsement guidance when an instructor is checking which regulation applies before signing off a pilot for an added aircraft rating.
Derivation
‘CFR’ stands for Code of Federal Regulations, the official collection of U.S. federal rules. ‘Title 14’ covers Aeronautics and Space, ‘Part 61’ covers certification of pilots and instructors, and ‘Section 61.63’ is the specific subsection on additional ratings. The numbering is a filing system — Title, Part, Section — used to locate any federal rule.
Why Pilots Care
Instructors and pilots must follow its requirements to issue or receive a valid endorsement and to remain in compliance during training and practical tests.
Analogy
Think of the citation like a street address for a rule. Title 14 is the city, part 61 is the street, and section 61.63 is the exact house.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a handbook page number or a lesson step. It is a legal citation pointing to the exact federal rule for adding certain aircraft ratings to a pilot certificate.
Example Sentence 1
Before signing off her student for the multi-engine checkride, the instructor reviewed the training requirements listed in 14 CFR part 61 section 61.63.
Example Sentence 2
Applicants must meet every requirement listed in 14 CFR part 61 section 61.63 before taking the practical test for an added instrument rating.