14 C.F.R. § 61.303 – If I want to operate an aircraft that satisfies the limitations identified in § 61.316, what operating limits and endorsement requirements in this subpart must I comply with?

(a) Use the following table to determine what operating limits and endorsement requirements in this subpart, if any, apply to you when you operate an aircraft that satisfies the limitations identified in § 61.316. The medical certificate specified in this table must be in compliance with § 61.2 in regard to currency and validity. If you hold a recreational pilot certificate, but not a medical certificate, you must comply with cross country requirements in § 61.101(c), even if your flight does not exceed 50 nautical miles from your departure airport. You must also comply with requirements in other subparts of this part that apply to your certificate and the operation you conduct. In the following table, when the word “aircraft” is used, it refers to aircraft that satisfy the limitations identified in § 61.316.

If you hold . . .	And you hold . . .	Then you may operate . . .	And . . .
(1) A medical certificate	(i) A sport pilot certificate,	Any aircraft for which you hold the endorsements required for its category and class,	You must hold any other endorsements required by this subpart, and comply with the limitations in § 61.315.
	(ii) At least a recreational pilot certificate with a category and class rating,	Any aircraft in that category and class,	You do not have to hold any of the endorsements required by this subpart, nor do you have to comply with the limitations in § 61.315.
	(iii) At least a recreational pilot certificate but not a rating for the category and class of the aircraft you operate,	That aircraft, only if you hold the endorsements required for § 61.321 for its category and class,	You must comply with the limitations in § 61.315, except § 61.315(c)(14) and, if a private pilot or higher, § 61.315(c)(7).
(2) Only a U.S. driver's license	(i) A sport pilot certificate,	Any aircraft for which you hold the endorsements required for its category and class,	You must hold any other endorsements required by this subpart, and comply with the limitations in § 61.315.
	(ii) At least a recreational pilot certificate with a category and class rating,	Any aircraft in that category and class,	You do not have to hold any of the endorsements required by this subpart, but you must comply with the limitations in § 61.315.
	(iii) At least a recreational pilot certificate but not a rating for the category and class of aircraft you operate,	That aircraft, only if you hold the endorsements required in § 61.321 for its category and class,	You must comply with the limitations in § 61.315, except § 61.315(c)(14) and, if a private pilot or higher, § 61.315(c)(7).
(3) Neither a medical certificate nor a U.S. driver's license	(i) A sport pilot certificate,	Any glider or balloon for which you hold the endorsements required for its category and class,	You must hold any other endorsements required by this subpart, and comply with the limitations in § 61.315.
	(ii) At least a private pilot certificate with a category and class rating for glider or balloon,	Any glider or balloon in that category and class	You do not have to hold any of the endorsements required by this subpart, nor do you have to comply with the limitations in § 61.315.
	(iii) At least a private pilot certificate but not a rating for glider or balloon,	Any glider or balloon, only if you hold the endorsements required in § 61.321 for its category and class.	You must comply with the limitations in § 61.315, except § 61.315(c)(14) and, if a private pilot or higher, § 61.315(c)(7).

(b) A person using a U.S. driver's license to meet the requirements of this paragraph must—
1. (1) Comply with each restriction and limitation imposed by that person's U.S. driver's license and any judicial or administrative order applying to the operation of a motor vehicle;
2. (2) Have been found eligible for the issuance of at least a third-class airman medical certificate at the time of his or her most recent application (if the person has applied for a medical certificate);
3. (3) Not have had his or her most recently issued medical certificate (if the person has held a medical certificate) suspended or revoked or most recent Authorization for a Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate withdrawn; and
4. (4) Not know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make that person unable to operate an aircraft in a safe manner.

[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44869, July 27, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42562, Aug. 21, 2009; Amdt. 61-125, 75 FR 5221, Feb. 1, 2010; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35212, July 24, 2025]