Definition
A specific subsection of the Federal Aviation Regulations that requires a student pilot to receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor on the applicable sections of parts 61 and 91 before being endorsed for solo flight. It is one of three pre-solo knowledge requirements listed in 14 CFR 61.87(c).
Plain English
A federal rule that says a student pilot must be taught and tested on the relevant flight rules before they are allowed to fly alone for the first time.
Context Anchor
Seen in flight instructor endorsement records for student pilot solo flight.
Derivation
CFR stands for Code of Federal Regulations. Part 61 covers certification of pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors. Section 61.87 deals specifically with solo requirements for student pilots. The (c)(1) points to paragraph (c), item 1 — the regulatory knowledge portion of the pre-solo requirement.
Why Pilots Care
It protects safety by confirming the student has the required knowledge and skills before flying without an instructor on board.
Analogy
A regulation citation works like an address. Instead of pointing to a street and house number, it points to the exact rule and paragraph that applies.
Intuition Check
Do not treat this as the endorsement itself. It is the rule the instructor must satisfy before giving the solo endorsement.
Example Sentence 1
The instructor's pre-solo endorsement read: 'I certify that [student] has received and logged pre-solo aeronautical knowledge training as required by 14 CFR part 61 section 61.87(c)(1).'
Example Sentence 2
Compliance with 14 CFR part 61 section 61.87(c)(1) must be documented in the student's logbook prior to the first solo flight.