Before you can fly solo. You don't need a student pilot certificate to take flying lessons.
You are eligible if:
You must complete an application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website or by paper using FAA form 8710-1 and submit it to a Flight Standards District Office (FSDO), an FAA-designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative associated with a part 141 flight school, or a certificated flight instructor. The authorized individual will process your application and submit the required documents to the Airmen Certification Branch. Once, reviewed by Airman Certification Branch, the student pilot certificate will be mailed to the address provided by you on the application.
In approximately three weeks. Utilizing the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) will minimize this time.
Aviation Medical Examiners (AME) will continue issuing aviation medical certificates. A list of AMEs in your area can be found at https://www.faa.gov/pilots/medical_certification/.
Student pilot and medical certificate are no longer the same document, therefore, refer to 14 CFR 61.23 for complete information on duration of a medical certificate.
After April 1, 2016, Student pilot certificates do not expire; the certificate will be surrendered and superseded upon successful completion of the higher certification. Student pilot certificates issued prior to April 1, 2016, will expire according to their expiration date, either 24 or 60 months from the date of issuance.
No, but you can get a new one.
No. All solo endorsements are placed in the student logbook and are no longer required to be on the student pilot certificate. Any previous endorsements on a paper student pilot certificate should be maintained as part of the required training record.
Yes. Your flight instructor must make this endorsement before you solo in each make or model of aircraft. A list of endorsements can be found in the current edition of Advisory Circular 61.65.
No. You also have to get a cross-country flight endorsement from your flight instructor.
There is no charge for application made directly to the Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). However, an FAA-designated pilot examiner, an airman certification representative associated with a part 141 flight school, or a certificated flight instructor can charge a reasonable fee for processing an application for student pilot certificates.