The FAA created the Sport Pilot certificate in September of 2004 after much work and pressure over many years from the Experimental Aviation Association (EAA). The intent of the new rule was to lower the barriers of entry into aviation, making flying more affordable, accessible and fun. The rules are complex, running to over 120 pages covering the certification of pilots, aircraft, flight instructors and so on.
The intent of this article is to offer an overview of the main rules and requirements for pilots and the aircraft they can fly as a sport pilot. Anyone seriously considering training should talk to a flight school and read the FAA regulations before parting with their money.
Light Sport Aircraft
The rules that define a light-sport aircraft are extensive and cover manufactured aircraft and home-built experimental aircraft built to plans or from kits. The major regulations are summarized as follows:
- Maximum takeoff weight: 1320 lb (1,430 lb for seaplanes).
- Maximum stall speed: 51 mph (45 knots) CAS (Calibrated airspeed).
- Maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power (Vh): 138 mph (120 knots) CAS.
- Single or two-seat.
- Single reciprocating engine.
- Fixed pitch propeller. (May be ground adjustable.)
- Unpressurized cabin.
- Fixed landing gear.
- Must have an N-number issued by the FAA.
Light Sport Aircraft Categories
The regulations summarized above might lead a prospective pilot to assume that only a single-engine fixed wing airplane can be flown by a sport pilot. However, a wide range of aircraft fit the criteria. A sport pilot may fly in one or more of the following aircraft categories:
- Airplane (single-engine only).
- Glider.
- Airship.
- Balloon.
- Rotorcraft (gyroplane only).
- Powered parachute.
- Weight-shift control aircraft.
Sport Pilot - Accelerated Flight Training
Training time required is significantly reduced as compared to a full private pilot certificate. Of course, pilots are only certified when the instructor considers them ready, no matter how long it takes.
The minimum pilot training time for the different light sport aircraft categories are:
- Airplane: 20 hours.
- Powered parachute: 12 hours.
- Weight-shift control: 20 hours.
- Glider: 10 hours.
- Rotorcraft (gyroplane only): 20 hours.
- Lighter-than-air: 20 hours (airship) or 7 hours (balloon).
Sport Pilot - Learn How to Fly
To earn a sport pilot certificate, one must:
- Be at least 16 to become a student sport pilot (14 for glider).
- Be at least 17 to test for a sport pilot certificate (16 for gliders).
- Be able to read, write, and understand English.
- Pass an FAA sport pilot knowledge test.
- Pass an FAA sport pilot flight test.
Make sure that you choose a flight school and flight instructor with plenty of experience with sport pilot flight training.
Sport Pilot Rules
The rules for sport pilot flying are in many ways similar to those of the private pilot, but the major benefit is the relaxed requirements for medical examinations. This enables many more people to experience the thrill and freedom of flight.The rules:
- Credit sport pilot flight toward more advanced pilot ratings.
- Require either a third-class FAA medical certificate or a current and valid U.S. driver’s license as evidence of medical eligibility (but see note below).
- Prohibit carrying passengers for compensation or hire.
- Prohibit flights in furtherance of business.
- Allow sharing of operating expenses with another pilot.
- Allow daytime flight only.
- Allow sport pilots to fly vintage and production aircraft (standard airworthiness certificate) if they meet the definition of a light-sport aircraft.
Important note: A pilot that has failed their last FAA medical examination cannot use a driver's license as evidence of eligibility.
Roger Tunsley - Roger has been a professional writer for over 25 years and is now enjoying the life of a freelance writer. Until August of 2009, Roger was ...
