Endorsement guide
Endorsements / Additional Category/Class
Additional Category/Class Endorsements
A practical guide for add-on training scenarios where the endorsement needs to track the exact certificate or class path without collapsing into generic wording.
Guide section
What this covers
Guide section
What this covers
Add-on scenarios often create wording problems because the pilot already holds some privileges, but the endorsement still needs to be explicit about what new category or class training is being documented.
Checklist
Quick checklist
Checklist
Quick checklist
- 1Identify the exact add-on path before drafting the endorsement.
- 2Make the category/class scope explicit enough that the wording cannot be mistaken for an initial certificate scenario.
- 3Ensure the training record supports the endorsement language being used.
- 4Keep instructor identifiers and dates consistent across records.
- 5Re-check current FAA applicability before signing.
Key points
Where instructors lose clarity
Key points
Where instructors lose clarity
Most add-on mistakes come from wording that is too broad for the actual path being trained.
- Using initial-certificate style language for an add-on scenario.
- Leaving category/class details too vague.
- Assuming the reviewer will infer what training path was intended.
Clear scope reduces confusion for scheduling, record review, and later training decisions.
Common issues
Common pitfalls
Common issues
Common pitfalls
Generic add-on wording
If the wording could apply to multiple paths, it is probably not specific enough for the actual training scenario.
Mismatch with training records
The logbook entry should not imply a training scope or readiness finding that the records do not support.
Missing context for later reviewers
Another instructor should not have to reconstruct the path from memory or scattered notes.
Reference stack
Relevant FAA references
FAR Part 61
Core pilot certification and endorsement requirements live here, so it is the baseline reference for scope, eligibility, and authorization.
Open sourceAC 61-65
Use this as the primary endorsement wording reference when you need examples and FAA-endorsed phrasing structure.
Open sourceAC 61-98
Useful when the scenario overlaps with flight reviews, currency, or other recurrent training and proficiency contexts.
Open sourceDrafting support
Use the generator
If you already know the add-on path, use the generator to create a more consistent draft before final review and signing.
FAA reference note
This tool generates endorsement language based on FAA Advisory Circular AC 61-65 and related FAA guidance. Flight instructors remain responsible for verifying endorsements comply with current FAA regulations and the specific circumstances of the student.
FAQ
Quick answers
Why does add-on wording need its own page?
Because these scenarios are often close enough to other endorsements that people reuse language that no longer matches the real training path.
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