Definition
The conditions a student must meet before being accepted into a particular flight training program or course, such as minimum age, English language proficiency, possession of a current medical certificate, prior pilot certificates or ratings, or completion of specified ground school.
Plain English
The requirements you have to meet before a flight school will let you sign up for a course.
Context Anchor
Seen when comparing flight schools, choosing a training program, or preparing to start pilot training.
Derivation
From 'enroll' (to sign up or register) and 'prerequisite' — Latin 'prae' (before) plus 'requisitus' (required). Together: 'what is required before signing up.'
Why Pilots Care
Knowing the prerequisites in advance prevents wasted time and money. Some programs will not accept a student until they hold a third-class medical, are 17, or have completed specific prior training — applying without these means delays.
Intuition Check
Do not assume enrollment prerequisites are the same as FAA requirements for earning a pilot certificate. A flight school may have its own entry requirements in addition to the FAA rules.
Example Sentence 1
Before applying to the Part 141 academy, she checked the enrollment prerequisites and confirmed she met the minimum age and medical certificate requirements.
Example Sentence 2
Meeting the enrollment prerequisites early allowed the student to begin ground training without delay once the aircraft schedule opened.