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2 Answers

Private Written Expiring

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FAA Regulations, Private Pilot, Student Pilot, Weather

I took my private pilot written 2 years ago (December 2013) and planned to take my check-ride 3 months later.  However, some family issues came up and I had to delay my training for more than a year.  I now am in the check-ride phase and have completed my oral (Dec 19).  Due to weather we could not complete the flight portion and with the holidays around the corner my DE went on vacation.  We had a reschedule date for Dec. 28 and due to weather once again we have delayed it until Dec. 29.  My question is now that my written will expire in 3 days; is there anything I can do short of having to retake the written again because weather is out of our control?  The weather today isn't looking any better and it is supposed to get worse over the next few days.  My question essentially is "Because of the constant delays due to weather and the fact that my oral has already been completed and weather is the only thing holding me back, is there a way to continue after the 24th month of the written without having to retake it?"

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2 Answers



  1. John D Collins on Dec 29, 2015

    Edit: Whoops, see Kris’s comments for the correct answer.

    Sec. 61.39 Prerequisites for practical tests.

    (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b), (c), and (e) of this section, to be eligible for a practical test for a certificate or rating issued under this part, an applicant must:

    (1) Pass the required knowledge test:
    (i) Within the 24-calendar-month period preceding the month the applicant completes the practical test , if a knowledge test is required;

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  2. Kris Kortokrax on Dec 29, 2015

    I dunno, John.

    He took the test in December, 2013.

    Calendar months 1-12 would be January – December, 2014.
    Calendar months 13-24 would be January – December 2015.

    I would say his knowledge test runs out December 31, 2015.

    I believe there is an expiration date printed on the test result that he can refer to.

    There is no mechanism for extending the test result. Once it expires he needs to retake the test.

    Since one would expect a pilot to retain the knowledge acquired during training, this should present no problem, other that paying the fee again.

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