CFI endorsements list (AC 61-65K)

ACS Task II.K, <em>Endorsements and Logbook Entries</em>, expects you to teach logbook endorsements tied to 14 CFR part 61. Sample phrasing is in AC 61-65K (issued 11/14/2025; supersedes AC 61-65J). This guide summarizes high-frequency endorsements for primary students — not every appendix entry — with regulation hooks and how examiners test them.

Regulatory backbone (61.83, 61.87, 61.93, 61.95)

14 CFR 61.83 sets eligibility for a student pilot certificate (including age and, when required, medical certification). Before solo or cross-country endorsements, confirm the student holds the appropriate certificate and meets current TSA/citizenship requirements for training.

14 CFR 61.87 defines what must happen before solo: (b) pre-solo aeronautical knowledge test; (c) pre-solo flight training in the make and model (maneuvers and procedures listed in (c)(1)–(c)(3)); and (n) a logbook endorsement for the specific make and model before any solo flight. Under 61.87(n), a student may not operate solo unless they have received an endorsement in the logbook for that make and model from an authorized instructor who gave the training, and that endorsement must be dated within the 90 days preceding the solo flight. The 90-day window applies to the (n) endorsement, not to the (c) training entry itself.

14 CFR 61.93 governs solo cross-country requirements: prerequisite solo experience, required dual cross-country training, endorsements for repeated solo cross-countries within distance limits, and a separate endorsement for each solo cross-country with specific route and dates. Do not mix this section with Class B airspace rules.

14 CFR 61.95 governs student pilot operations in Class B airspace and at airports located in Class B — including required ground and flight training and instructor endorsements before a student operates there. AC 61-65K includes sample Class B endorsements; teach the regulation first, then the sample wording.

AC 61-65K — endorsements every new CFI should teach

AC 61-65K organizes sample endorsements by purpose. Below are categories CFI applicants should be fluent with; locate the exact sample text in your copy of AC 61-65K and compare paragraph references when you study.

Pre-solo aeronautical knowledge (61.87(b))

Documents that the student passed a pre-solo knowledge test on the applicable aeronautical knowledge areas (maneuvers, procedures, airport ops, limitations). Teaching point: the test must be administered and reviewed before solo; keep a record per your school's policy.

Pre-solo flight training (61.87(c))

Certifies that required pre-solo flight training in the specific make and model has been given per 61.87(c)(1)–(c)(3). This documents maneuvers and procedures; it is distinct from the 61.87(n) solo endorsement and its 90-day validity.

Initial solo endorsement (61.87(n))

Required before any solo: a logbook endorsement for the specific make and model, signed by an authorized instructor who gave the student’s training, dated within 90 days before the solo flight (61.87(n)). The student must already meet 61.87(b) and (c). Each make/model needs its own endorsement. Remind students that airport, airspace, and weather limitations still apply; solo cross-country requires additional 61.93 endorsements.

Solo cross-country training and endorsements (61.93)

Includes: training for solo cross-country in make/model; endorsement for repeated solo cross-countries to other airports within a stated distance; endorsement for each solo cross-country flight with route and date; endorsement after dual long cross-country preparing for 61.109(a) experience. Walk through a scenario: student plans KXYZ → KABC — which endorsements already exist, which you must issue for that flight.

Student pilot Class B operations (61.95)

Before a student operates in Class B or at an airport in Class B, they need the ground and flight training required by 61.95 and the appropriate logbook endorsement (see AC 61-65K samples). This is separate from solo cross-country rules in 61.93.

Review of deficiencies (61.49)

After an unsatisfactory practical test, an instructor endorses that the applicant has reviewed deficient areas. AC 61-65K provides sample wording tied to 61.49. Know difference between remedial training and a retest endorsement.

Practical test readiness (61.39)

Applicants need appropriate training, knowledge, and instructor recommendation for practical tests. AC 61-65K includes samples for various certificates/ratings. For your CFI ride, you are the applicant — but as a CFI you will issue these for students. Cite 61.39 prerequisites and the ACS proficiency standard.

CFI applicant spin training (61.183(i) — AC 61-65K A.49)

Flight instructor airplane and glider applicants need spin training in an aircraft certificated for spins and a logbook endorsement that they are competent and possess instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery (14 CFR 61.183(i)(1)). Sample wording is AC 61-65K A.49. This is separate from student solo endorsements — see our CFI spin training and endorsement guide for ACS Task X.I, 91.307 parachute rules, retest requirements in 61.49(b), and teaching stall/spin awareness.

DPE-style oral questions

Common applicant mistakes

• Endorsing solo before 61.87(b) knowledge and (c) flight training are complete.
• Treating the 61.87(n) solo endorsement 90-day limit as if it applied to 61.87(c) pre-solo training entries.
• Omitting make/model or specific route/airports on cross-country endorsements.
• Confusing instructor logbook requirements with student endorsements.
• Failing to teach students what their endorsements actually authorize.

Practice saying it out loud (10-minute drill)

1. Explain aloud the difference between 61.87(c) and 61.87(n) in one minute.
2. Role-play: student asks for solo XC — list every endorsement/training step you check before signing.
3. Open AC 61-65K and read one pre-solo and one XC sample verbatim; then paraphrase in plain language.
4. Answer: “What does 61.95 require before a student pilot operates in Class B airspace?” (ground/flight training and logbook endorsement per the regulation and AC 61-65K samples.)
5. Cross-link to FOI: use laws of learning (readiness, effect) when teaching why endorsements exist — see laws of learning. For day-of-ride paperwork and ride structure, see the CFI checkride checklist and CFI checkride what to expect. For the CFI-applicant spin endorsement (AC 61-65K A.49), see CFI spin training and endorsement.

Primary references: 14 CFR 61.83, 61.87, 61.93, 61.95, 61.39, 61.49; AC 61-65K; FAA-S-ACS-25 Task II.K, Endorsements and Logbook Entries. Download current PDFs from FAA.gov and verify revision letters before your checkride.

Mock Oral Mastery is not affiliated with or approved by the FAA. Not a substitute for your certificated flight instructor or required endorsements. Always use the current ACS, 14 CFR, AC 61-65, and FAA handbooks as the source of truth.