Definition
A section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that establishes the requirements a student pilot must meet before being authorized to fly an aircraft solo. It covers required aeronautical knowledge, flight training in specific maneuvers and procedures appropriate to the aircraft category and class, and the endorsements an authorized instructor must provide in the student's logbook and student pilot certificate.
Plain English
This is the rule that lists what a student pilot must learn, demonstrate, and have signed off by their instructor before they are allowed to fly an aircraft alone for the first time.
Context Anchor
Seen in FAA training material when the handbook points to the legal rule behind required student pilot solo training, including stall awareness and recovery training.
Derivation
14 CFR means Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which is the body of U.S. federal rules covering aeronautics and space. 'Part 61' is the chunk of those rules dealing with certification of pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors. 'Section 61.87' is the specific rule within Part 61 that addresses solo flight requirements for student pilots. The numbering simply locates the rule in the larger regulation.
Why Pilots Care
A student pilot cannot legally fly solo until the instructor confirms all items in this section have been taught and the student demonstrates proficiency.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as a page number or chapter number in the handbook. It is a legal citation to a federal aviation rule.
Example Sentence 1
Before her first solo, the instructor reviewed the maneuvers required by 14 CFR part 61, section 61.87 and signed the endorsement in her logbook.
Example Sentence 2
Stall awareness training is one of the specific requirements listed under 14 CFR part 61, section 61.87 that must be completed prior to solo flight.