Small Aircraft
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Flight Instructor
Communication Breakdown
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural FAR; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Published Material / Policy
General Flight Cancelled / Delayed
Human Factors
I began instructing a student pilot for their private pilot certificate under Part 61. This student had been with 2 other instructors before coming to me. The first instructor he was with was from April to December 20XX and had flown 24 hours dual. The second instructor was from February 20XX to November 20XX and had dual of 50 hours and 3 solo flights; one in June; July and November of 20XX. As I began instructing this student; he had 74 hours total time and had soloed. I asked him if he had his student pilot certificate and medical; and his answer was yes. I did not do my due diligence and physically look at those 2 documents because I assumed with 2 previous instructors; 74 hours and solo flights; he had them. That was 100% my error. I paid more attention to verifying he was a US citizen and getting that endorsement in both our logbooks; then giving the proper consideration to the other documents. I realized this on May XX; 2021 as I was thinking it is time to start prepping for a potential check ride in the next couple months. I asked him to provide a copy of those documents to me; and that is when I realized he did not have the appropriate FAA issued student pilot certificate. He had his medical and he had another form; FAA Form 8500-8; Medical Certificate Third Class And Student Pilot Certificate. His medical examiner told him that Form 8500-8 was his student pilot certificate. Therefore; my student believed he had the proper student certificate; and that is why he told me he had both documents. As soon as I realized that this was not correct; I immediately called him to confirm it and advised him as to what must be done to get the correct FAA student pilot certificate. We met the next evening; June XX; 2021 and completed the application. I told him he could not solo until he received his temporary certificate. His temporary was issued on June XY; 2021. This student had 15.7 hours of solo time up to this point; which will not be counted as his solo requirements. He will complete all the solo time requirements after the issue date of June XY; 2021. As for myself; I learned a valuable lesson; never assume a student has the proper paperwork; regardless of the number of instructors or previous flight hours. I will always do my due diligence; and never assume anything moving forward. Moreover; I feel ashamed and embarrassed that as a professional CFI; this situation occurred.
GA flight instructor reported a student pilot flew without the required certificates being issued.