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About the Sport Pilot certificate
The sport pilot certificate is a new pilot certification category created by the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) specifically to address the desire of individuals wishing
to fly aircraft primarily for recreational purposes. A sport pilot may only operate an
aircraft in day, VFR (visual flight rules) conditions.
The requirements to earn a pilot certificate in this category are aimed at teaching the
core knowledge that individuals must understand and demonstrate in order to safely
operate in the airspace system. By passing a knowledge (written) and practical
(flight) test, a prospective sport pilot will demonstrate the proficiency necessary to
operate a variety of aircraft safely.
Sport pilots will be limited to operating aircraft that meet the definition of a light-sport
aircraft. That includes aircraft in the following categories:
Airplanes (single-engine only)
Gliders
Lighter-than-air ships (airship or balloon)
Rotorcraft (gyroplane only)
Powered Parachutes
Weight-Shift controlled aircraft (e.g. trikes)
A sport pilot applicant must:
Be a minimum of 16 years of age to become a student sport pilot (14 for glider)
Be 17 years of age before testing for a sport pilot certificate (16 for gliders).
Be able to read, write, and understand the English language.
Hold either/or a current and valid U.S. driver's license as evidence of medical
eligibility.
Medical Certification
To obtain a sport pilot certificate you must have either an FAA airman medical
certificate or a current and valid U.S. driver's license issued by a state, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government,
provided you do not have an official denial or revocation of medical eligibility on file
with FAA..
You then must comply with the restrictions placed on whichever method you choose.
For example, if you choose to use your driver's license as your medical certificate,
you must comply with all restrictions on that license. In addition, and this is very
important, you must not act as a pilot- in-command of an aircraft if you know or have
reason to know of any medical condition that would make you unable to operate the
aircraft in a safe manner.
However, a pilot who has had his or her last medical "denied" or "revoked" by FAA
will be required to obtain a special issuance medical (or alternative evidence of
medical eligibility under a separate procedure being developed by FAA) before
being allowed to base his or her medical fitness solely on driver's license
requirements.
Restrictions on a sport pilot certificate:
no night flights;
no flights into Class A airspace, which is at or over 18,000' MSL;
no flights into Class B, C, or D airspace unless you receive training and a logbook
endorsement;
no flights outside the U.S. without advance permission from that country(ies)
no sightseeing flights with passengers for charity fund raisers;
no flights above 10,000' MSL;
no flights when the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles;
no flights unless you can see the surface of the earth for flight reference;
no flights if the operating limitations issued with the aircraft do not permit that activity;
no flights contrary to any limitation listed on the pilot's certificate, U.S. driver's
license, FAA medical certificate, or logbook endorsement(s);
no flights while carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire (no
commercial operations);
no renting a light-sport aircraft unless it was issued a "special" airworthiness
certificate;
any qualified and current pilot (recreational pilot or higher) may fly a light-sport
aircraft.
a light-sport aircraft may be flown at night if it is properly equipped for night flight and
flown by a individual with a private pilot (or higher) certificate who has a current and
valid FAA airman's certificate.
How will it make flying easier/more hassle-free for me?
New pilots seeking a sport pilot certificate will be able to learn how to fly powered
aircraft (fixed-wing airplanes, weight-shift trikes, powered parachutes, gyroplanes, or
airships) in as little as 20 hours of flight instruction, saving both time and money.
(Note: Your flight instructor will make the final determination as to your readiness to
take a practical flight exam.)
Student pilots currently working on a private pilot certificate will be able to apply their
training toward a sport pilot certificate and operate under sport pilot privileges until
such time as they choose to complete the requirements for a private pilot rating. All
time logged as a sport pilot can be applied toward higher ratings.
Private pilots or higher with a current medical certificate and flight review can fly any
light-sport aircraft in the categories and classes for which they are rated, creating
more opportunities for them to own or rent light-sport aircraft.
Private pilots or higher may also choose to exercise the privileges of a sport pilot
and operate any sport-pilot eligible aircraft in the categories or classes in which they
are rated using their valid driver's license or third-class medical as their medical
certification.
If I become a sport pilot, what can I fly?
An aircraft that meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft may hold an airworthiness
certificate in any one of the following categories of FAA certification:
an experimental aircraft, including amateur-built aircraft, for which the owner must
construct more than 51-percent of the aircraft.
a Standard category aircraft; that is, a ready-to-fly aircraft that is type-certificated in
accordance with FAR Part 43.
a Primary category aircraft; that is, a ready-to-fly aircraft that is type-certificated in
accordance with Primary category regulations.
a "special" light-sport aircraft
an experimental light-sport aircraft.
Why does EAA think this is an important initiative?
Overall the sport-pilot rule makes becoming a pilot and owning an aircraft more
affordable and less time consuming for many people, while still ensuring that the
safety of aviators and the public is maintained. It will reduce the hassles that have
hampered many people from realizing their dream to fly.
EAA has been extremely active in the effort to make the sport pilot rule a reality by
facilitating discussions among manufacturers, working with government
representatives, and working to make pilots and enthusiasts aware of this
opportunity.
The sport pilot certificate is a new pilot certification category created by the Federal
Aviation Administration (FAA) specifically to address the desire of individuals wishing
to fly aircraft primarily for recreational purposes. A sport pilot may only operate an
aircraft in day, VFR (visual flight rules) conditions.
The requirements to earn a pilot certificate in this category are aimed at teaching the
core knowledge that individuals must understand and demonstrate in order to safely
operate in the airspace system. By passing a knowledge (written) and practical
(flight) test, a prospective sport pilot will demonstrate the proficiency necessary to
operate a variety of aircraft safely.
Sport pilots will be limited to operating aircraft that meet the definition of a light-sport
aircraft. That includes aircraft in the following categories:
Airplanes (single-engine only)
Gliders
Lighter-than-air ships (airship or balloon)
Rotorcraft (gyroplane only)
Powered Parachutes
Weight-Shift controlled aircraft (e.g. trikes)
A sport pilot applicant must:
Be a minimum of 16 years of age to become a student sport pilot (14 for glider)
Be 17 years of age before testing for a sport pilot certificate (16 for gliders).
Be able to read, write, and understand the English language.
Hold either/or a current and valid U.S. driver's license as evidence of medical
eligibility.
Medical Certification
To obtain a sport pilot certificate you must have either an FAA airman medical
certificate or a current and valid U.S. driver's license issued by a state, the District of
Columbia, Puerto Rico, a territory, a possession, or the Federal government,
provided you do not have an official denial or revocation of medical eligibility on file
with FAA..
You then must comply with the restrictions placed on whichever method you choose.
For example, if you choose to use your driver's license as your medical certificate,
you must comply with all restrictions on that license. In addition, and this is very
important, you must not act as a pilot- in-command of an aircraft if you know or have
reason to know of any medical condition that would make you unable to operate the
aircraft in a safe manner.
However, a pilot who has had his or her last medical "denied" or "revoked" by FAA
will be required to obtain a special issuance medical (or alternative evidence of
medical eligibility under a separate procedure being developed by FAA) before
being allowed to base his or her medical fitness solely on driver's license
requirements.
Restrictions on a sport pilot certificate:
no night flights;
no flights into Class A airspace, which is at or over 18,000' MSL;
no flights into Class B, C, or D airspace unless you receive training and a logbook
endorsement;
no flights outside the U.S. without advance permission from that country(ies)
no sightseeing flights with passengers for charity fund raisers;
no flights above 10,000' MSL;
no flights when the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles;
no flights unless you can see the surface of the earth for flight reference;
no flights if the operating limitations issued with the aircraft do not permit that activity;
no flights contrary to any limitation listed on the pilot's certificate, U.S. driver's
license, FAA medical certificate, or logbook endorsement(s);
no flights while carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire (no
commercial operations);
no renting a light-sport aircraft unless it was issued a "special" airworthiness
certificate;
any qualified and current pilot (recreational pilot or higher) may fly a light-sport
aircraft.
a light-sport aircraft may be flown at night if it is properly equipped for night flight and
flown by a individual with a private pilot (or higher) certificate who has a current and
valid FAA airman's certificate.
How will it make flying easier/more hassle-free for me?
New pilots seeking a sport pilot certificate will be able to learn how to fly powered
aircraft (fixed-wing airplanes, weight-shift trikes, powered parachutes, gyroplanes, or
airships) in as little as 20 hours of flight instruction, saving both time and money.
(Note: Your flight instructor will make the final determination as to your readiness to
take a practical flight exam.)
Student pilots currently working on a private pilot certificate will be able to apply their
training toward a sport pilot certificate and operate under sport pilot privileges until
such time as they choose to complete the requirements for a private pilot rating. All
time logged as a sport pilot can be applied toward higher ratings.
Private pilots or higher with a current medical certificate and flight review can fly any
light-sport aircraft in the categories and classes for which they are rated, creating
more opportunities for them to own or rent light-sport aircraft.
Private pilots or higher may also choose to exercise the privileges of a sport pilot
and operate any sport-pilot eligible aircraft in the categories or classes in which they
are rated using their valid driver's license or third-class medical as their medical
certification.
If I become a sport pilot, what can I fly?
An aircraft that meets the definition of a light-sport aircraft may hold an airworthiness
certificate in any one of the following categories of FAA certification:
an experimental aircraft, including amateur-built aircraft, for which the owner must
construct more than 51-percent of the aircraft.
a Standard category aircraft; that is, a ready-to-fly aircraft that is type-certificated in
accordance with FAR Part 43.
a Primary category aircraft; that is, a ready-to-fly aircraft that is type-certificated in
accordance with Primary category regulations.
a "special" light-sport aircraft
an experimental light-sport aircraft.
Why does EAA think this is an important initiative?
Overall the sport-pilot rule makes becoming a pilot and owning an aircraft more
affordable and less time consuming for many people, while still ensuring that the
safety of aviators and the public is maintained. It will reduce the hassles that have
hampered many people from realizing their dream to fly.
EAA has been extremely active in the effort to make the sport pilot rule a reality by
facilitating discussions among manufacturers, working with government
representatives, and working to make pilots and enthusiasts aware of this
opportunity.
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