Can 2 Student Pilots Fly Together?

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Question: I know student pilots aren't supposed to carry passengers, but can two student pilots fly together? Since both hold a student pilot certificate, doesn't that make them both a crewmember and not a passenger?

Answer: No and no. Per FAR 61.89, which covers the limitations on student pilots, a student pilot may not act as pilot in command (PIC) of an aircraft carrying a passenger. Unless the aircraft, by type rating, is certified as requiring a crew of two (or more), that means one of the people on board is a passenger.

A student pilot can't participate as a required member of the crew unless they are receiving instruction that indicates a CFI is on board.

Two student pilots in an airplane without an instructor is breaking the rules.

READ MORE: Respect the Limitations of the Solo

There are some student pilots who try to argue their way around this by saying the FAA has not defined the term passenger, suggesting that as long as the other person holds a pilot certificate, they are not a passenger. Again, no. A student pilot who breaks this rule and is caught will be sanctioned by the FAA, and it is very likely their flight instructor will be contacted and possibly sanctioned.

There is a reason the limitations governing student pilots are included on the pre-solo exam and that phrase warning against the carriage of passengers is prohibited. When flying with an instructor during a flight lesson, you can carry a passenger because the CFI, not the student, is the PIC.

ask flying FAR 61.89 pilot in command student pilot

Meg GodlewskiAuthor

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.