Which documents must a pilot carry when flying solo?

A pilot flying solo must carry their pilot certificate, medical certificate, and a form of identification. The pilot certificate demonstrates that the individual is legally permitted to operate the aircraft, while the medical certificate verifies that they meet the necessary health and fitness standards required for flying. A government-issued photo ID is also required for identification purposes.

Carrying the aircraft registration, insurance, flight plans, maintenance logs, weather briefings, and charts is important, but they do not fall under the mandatory documents that a pilot must have on their person while flying solo. For instance, while having access to weather data and navigation charts is critical for safe flight operations, they are typically not required to be physically carried by the pilot during a solo flight. The primary focus on certification and medical standards emphasizes the pilot's qualifications and ability to safely operate the aircraft.