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FAQ’s about the FAA Sport Pilot Certificate:
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What aeronautical experience is required for a sport pilot license?
(1) 12 hours of flight time in a powered parachute, including 10
hours flight training and, and at least 2 hours solo flight training in the
areas of operation listed in §61.311.
(i) 1 hour of cross-country flight training,
(ii) 20 takeoffs and landings to a full stop in a powered parachute with
each landing involving flight in the traffic pattern at an airport;
(iii) 10 solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving
a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport,
(iv) One solo flight with a landing at a different airport and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 10 nautical miles between takeoff and landing locations, and
(v) 3 hours of flight training on those areas of operation specified in
§61.311 preparing for the practical test within 60 days before the date of the test.
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What are the age and language requirements for a sport pilot certificate?
(a) To be eligible for a sport pilot certificate you must:
(1) Be at least 17 years old (or 16 years old if you are applying
to operate a glider or balloon).
(2) Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English. If
you cannot read, speak, write, and understand English because of
medical reasons, the FAA may place limits on your certificate as are
necessary for the safe operation of light-sport aircraft.
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What tests do I have to take to obtain a sport pilot certificate?
To obtain a sport pilot certificate, you must pass the following
tests:
(a) Knowledge test. You must pass a knowledge test on the
applicable aeronautical knowledge areas listed in §61.309. Before you may take the knowledge test for a sport pilot certificate, you must receive a logbook endorsement from the authorized instructor who trained you or reviewed and evaluated your home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in §61.309 certifying you are prepared for the test.
(b) Practical test. You must pass a practical test on the
applicable areas of operation listed in §§61.309 and 61.311. Before you may take the practical test for a sport pilot certificate, you must receive a logbook endorsement from the authorized instructor who provided you with flight training on the areas of operation specified in §§61.309 and 61.311 in preparation for the practical test. This endorsement certifies that you meet the applicable aeronautical knowledge and experience requirements and are prepared for the practical test.
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What aeronautical knowledge must I have to apply for a sport pilot certificate?
Except as specified in §61.329, to apply for a sport pilot
certificate you must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on the following aeronautical knowledge areas:
(a) Applicable regulations of this chapter that relate to sport
pilot privileges, limits, and flight operations.
(b) Accident reporting requirements of the National
Transportation Safety Board.
(c) Use of the applicable portions of the aeronautical
information manual and FAA advisory circulars.
(d) Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using
pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems, as appropriate.
(e) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground
and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of
aeronautical weather reports and forecasts.
(f) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision
avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence.
(g) Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance.
(h) Weight and balance computations.
(i) Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft
systems.
(j) Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery
techniques, as applicable.
(k) Aeronautical decision making and risk management.
(l) Preflight actions that include––
(1) How to get information on runway lengths at airports of
intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and
(2) How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be
completed or if you encounter delays.
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What flight proficiency requirements must I meet to apply for a sport pilot certificate?
Except as specified in §61.329, to apply for a sport pilot certificate you must receive and log ground and flight training from an
authorized instructor on the following areas of operation, as appropriate, for airplane single-engine land or sea, glider, gyroplane, airship, balloon, powered parachute land or sea, and weight-shift-control aircraft land or sea privileges:
(a) Preflight preparation.
(b) Preflight procedures.
(c) Airport, seaplane base, and gliderport operations, as
applicable.
(d) Takeoffs (or launches), landings, and go-arounds.
(e) Performance maneuvers, and for gliders, performance
speeds.
(f) Ground reference maneuvers (not applicable to gliders and
balloons).
(g) Soaring techniques (applicable only to gliders).
(h) Navigation.
(i) Slow flight (not applicable to lighter-than-air aircraft and
powered parachutes).
(j) Stalls (not applicable to lighter-than-air aircraft, gyroplanes,
and powered parachutes).
(j) Emergency operations.
(k) Post-flight procedures.
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If I want to operate a light-sport aircraft, what operating limits and endorsement requirements in this subpart must I comply with?
The short answer is you need a valid drivers license but…
A person using a current and valid U.S. driver’s license to
meet the requirements of this paragraph must—
(1) Comply with each restriction and limitation imposed by that
person’s U.S. driver’s license and any judicial or administrative order
applying to the operation of a motor vehicle;
(2) Have been found eligible for the issuance of at least a thirdclass
airman medical certificate at the time of his or her most recent
application (if the person has applied for a medical certificate);
(3) Not have had his or her most recently issued edical certificate (if the person has held a medical certificate) suspended or revoked or most recent Authorization for a Special Issuance of a Medical certificate withdrawn; and
(4) Not know or have reason to know of any medical condition
that would make that person unable to operate a light-sport aircraft in a safe manner.
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What are the privileges and limits of my sport pilot certificate?
(a) If you hold a sport pilot certificate you may act as pilot in
command of a light-sport aircraft, except as specified in paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) You may share the operating expenses of a flight with a
passenger, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenses, or aircraft rental fees. You must pay at least half the operating expenses of the flight.
(c) You may not act as pilot in command of a light-sport aircraft:
(1) That is carrying a passenger or property for compensation
or hire.
(2) For compensation or hire.
(3) In furtherance of a business.
(4) While carrying more than one passenger.
(5) At night.
(6) In Class A airspace.
(7) In Class B, C, and D airspace, at an airport located in Class
B, C, or D airspace, and to, from, through, or at an airport having an
operational control tower unless you have met the requirements specified in §61.325.
(8) Outside the United States, unless you have prior
authorization from the country in which you seek to operate. Your sport pilot certificate carries the limit “Holder does not meet ICAO
requirements.”
(9) To demonstrate the aircraft in flight to a rospective buyer if
you are an aircraft salesperson.
(10) In a passenger-carrying airlift sponsored by a charitable
organization.
(11) At an altitude of more than 10,000 feet MSL.
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What if I already hold a private pilot certificate or higher but not a rating for the category and class of powered parachute light-sport aircraft?
You only need to pass a proficiency check and receive a logbook endorsement.
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Can I take a passenger once I have my Sport Pilot Certificate?
Yes, your Sport Pilot certificate allows you take a passenger as long as it is not for hire or compensation although you are allowed to share expenses of the flight.
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