Simple Ways to Become a Sport Pilot
There are basically three categories that people are under for becoming a Sport Pilot.
These are
If you have no training at all, here are the steps to take for becoming a Sport Pilot:
- Begin preparing for the written test. This can be done at any time during the training. Click here for a list of books to help you get ready for the test.
- Instruction with a Certified Flight Instructor List of CFI’s. Your first few hours will be flying with a CFI preparing you for your first solo flight.
- Obtain your student pilot certificate. Before you can solo, you must receive a Student Sport Pilot Certificate. This can be received from your local Flight Standards District Office or a Designated Pilot Examiner.
- Solo flight training. Ask any pilot, and they can vividly recall the details of their first solo flight! When your flight instructor believes you are ready and you have taken a written test, they will let you let you fly on your own as you work towards the completion of your flight training.
- The Cross country flight. You will learn to navigate as you leave your home airport and fly off to another field. The first time will be with your instructor, then you will fly a solo cross country to another airport and return home.
- Take the check ride. Once you have completed all of the flight training requirements and your instructor believes you are ready, you will be endorsed to take your practical test. This is called the “check ride”. This is performed by a Designated Pilot Examiner that entails a oral exam and then a hands on flight test. Once you have passed this, you will be issued your Sport Pilot license and can fly with passengers!
Having logged training under the former BFI program
If you were trained in the previous ultralight program from an Ultralight Flight Instructor, or Basic Flight instructor, you may use those hours to obtain your sport pilot license.
Your flight time must be properly logged by the ultralight flight instructor the same way a CFI would endorse a student log book after a lesson.
Registered ultralight pilots should complete the following to get a sport pilot certificate:
- Obtain a copy of your ultralight pilot records letter from the FAA-recognized organization you are registered with. (EAA, ASC, etc)
- Obtain endorsement from CFI to take the knowledge test.
- Successfully pass a FAA sport pilot knowledge test administered by an FAA testing facility
- Log 3 hours of flight training with FAA CFI in preparation for practical test no more than 60 days prior to practical test.
- Obtain endorsement from FAA CFI prior to practical test.
- Successfully pass a FAA sport pilot practical test, which includes an oral and flight test administered by a sport pilot examiner (SPE)
For more information, see FAR 61.329(a)(2)
If you are a private pilot wanting to get your PPC rating
Solo flight
A private pilot wanting to fly a N numbered experimental aircraft SOLO, is not required to have any training to fly (although NOT recommended of course). Your BFR and Medical must be current.
2 place experimental
If you want to fly a N numbered experimental Light Sport Aircraft with a passenger, you will need the proper endorsement from a CFI. There is no set time required. The CFI conducting the training will endorse you to take the Proficiency check. This is similar to a check ride, but can be conducted by another CFI.
Under the current Sport PIlot rule, you do NOT need a physical, but if you have failed one, then you will have to get your medical condition corrected and pass a physical before you are allowed to fly a Light Sport Aircraft.
If you think you may not pass a third class medical, choosing to fly light sport aircraft may be an option for you. You ARE required to have a current drivers license (this acts as your medical) and if there any limitations on your drivers license, you must comply as you would if you were driving (i.e. wears glasses)
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