A Pilot Resource > All About Sport Pilot > FAQs on getting started flying a light sport aircraft

Sport Pilot FAQs
Questions you may have about becoming a Sport Pilot and flying a Light Sport Aircraft:
  1. What is an Ultralight Pilot and Ultralight Aircraft?
  2. What is a Light Sport Aircraft?
  3. What is a Sport Pilot?
  4. What are the Sport Pilot limitations?
  5. Do Sport Pilots have less piloting skill than Private Pilots?
  6. What are the Sport Pilot Flight Instructor Rating requirements?
  7. What is the Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft
    phase in time table?
  8. How do you get started?
  9. What should you look for when signing up for a lesson?

1. What is an Ultralight Pilot and an Ultralight Aircraft?
An Ultralight Pilot is a pilot who flies a SINGLE PLACE Ultralight Aircraft that is under 254 lbs. empty weight and further defined and operated under simple guidelines specified in FAR Part 103. For details see All About Ultralights.

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2. What is a Light Sport Aircraft?
 A simple TWO PLACE aircraft with weight and airspeed limitations. For details see All About Light Sport Aircraft.

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3. What is a Sport Pilot?

  • New FAA Airman Certificate for operating any aircraft that meet the definition of a Light Sport Aircraft.

  • Minimum required training with no previous aviation experience:

    Fixed Wing Airplane 20 hours
    Weight Shift Control (Trike) 20 hours
    Powered Parachute 12 hours
    Glider 20 hours
    Gyroplane 20 hours
    Lighter than air "airship" 20 hours
    Balloon 7 hours.

  • Certificated pilot (eg Recreational/Private) may exercise Sport Pilot privileges for category and class using a valid United States drivers license.

  • Can fly cross country with no distance limitations.

  • Can add a new category or class with training from one CFI and a proficiency check with another CFI. (such as adding sea/water to a land rating).

  • Be at least 16 years old for student (14 glider) and 17 (16 glider) for Sport Pilot certificate.

  • Credits Sport Pilot flight time toward more advanced pilot ratings.

  • A current and valid U.S. driver's license or a 3rd class FAA medical certificate is required for medical eligibility (provided the individual does not have a denial; withdrawal, revocation, or suspension of medical eligibility on file with FAA).

  • Does not allow carrying passengers for compensation or hire

  • Allows sharing operating expenses with another person.

  • Allow Sport Pilots to fly vintage production aircraft (standard airworthiness certificate such as J3 Cub, Aeronca 7AC Champ, or Ercoupe 415C, etc.) that meet the definition of a Light Sport Aircraft.

  • Sport Pilot Certificate does not list category or class of aircraft. Pilot will be able to fly aircraft in same set as the specific make/model/set as log book signoff.

  • A sport pilot may exercise flight privileges in one or more of the Light Sport Aircraft categories if checked out with training by one CFI and a proficiency check by a different CFI.

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4. What are the Sport Pilot limitations?

(These do not apply to Private Pilots flying Light Sport Aircraft with a 3rd class medical. But, they do apply to Private Pilots using a drivers license as medical elegibilty.)

  • Allows daylight (civil twilight) flight only with no night flight

  • Flight below 10,000 feet MSL only.

  • No flights into B, C, or D airspace unless trained and a log book signoff by a CFI for that privilege. (Private pilots do not need this endorsement.)

  • No flights in aircraft with maximum level speed of greater than 100 MPH (Vh 87 knots) unless trained by a CFI and a log book signoff. (Private pilots do not need this endorsement.)

  • Can only fly Light Sport Aircraft with log book signoff for specific Make/Model/Set.

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5. Do Sport Pilots have less piloting skill than Private Pilots?

  • No. Sport Pilots must be trained to the same skill and proficiency. Less training hours are required for a Sport Pilot because night, instrument, high altitude and VOR is not required. Most Private Pilots flying for sport do not typically use these skills.

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6. What are the Sport Pilot Certified Flight Instructor (CFI-SP) rating privileges and limitations?

  • Allows current CFI's to train sport pilots using drivers license as medical eligibility.

  • Certified Flight Instructors for Sport Pilot (CFI-SP) do not need an instrument rating to become a Certified Flight Instructor.

  • Allows national organization instructors to use Ultralight exemption experience until January 31, 2008.

  • Must renew instructors certificate every two years similar to Private Pilot and above CFI.

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7. What is the Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft
     phase in time table?
Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft phase in time table is as follows:

September 1, 2004 Sport Pilot/Light Sport Aircraft rule started:

  • Current pilots (with pilot certificate and current flight review) can begin flying under sport pilot regulations with no additional training or registration;

  • Non-current pilots (with Private Pilot certificate but expired flight review) can pass flight review and fly as sport pilots, provided they hold a valid U.S. driver's license;

January 31, 2007

  • Deadline for registered ultralight pilots to take the sport pilot tests without additional training hours;

January 31, 2008

  • Final day for E-LSA certificates to be granted to current two-place ultralight trainers or "fat ultralights"

  • All two-place ultralight training aircraft exemptions expire.

  • Final day for Ultralight Instructors to use their ultralight flying experience toward a CFI-SP certificate.

January 31, 2010

  • Last day that a sport pilot CFI may take compensation to give instruction in a two-place ultralight trainer that was converted to an E-LSA.

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8. How do you get started?

  1. Choose the type of Aircraft to Fly with consideration to cost, ease of flying, athletic ability, engine verses no engine, portability, storage, location, aircraft speeds, and your previous aviation experience. The DVD Sport Pilot, Choosing the Light Sport Aircraft That's Right For You helps you determine the category of aircraft best for you.
     

  2. These "Learn to Fly" videos are perfect introductions and tell
    you everything about getting into the sport.

    Be a Sport Pilot, Learn to Fly a Fixed Wing Aircraft
    Starting Triking
    Be a Sport Pilot, Learn to Fly a Trike
    Starting Powered Parachuting
     

  3. Gather the best Training Materials and study to be prepared, and efficient, when you take your lessons with your instructor.
     

  4. Take some discovery flights to evaluate aircraft and instructors. Check out the Flight Instruction FAQs you should ask before you go for your flight.

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9. What should I look for when signing up for a lesson?
When selecting a school for flight instruction, first make sure that the flight instructor is certified by the FAA or one of these organizations:

ASC - Aero Sports Connection
EAA - Experimental Aircraft Association
USUA - United States Ultralight Association

Things to look for include:

  • What ratings do the instructors have? An FAA certified Flight instructor is called a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). (The highest Ultralight Instructor rating is an Advanced Flight Instructor (AFI).)

  • Does the school have airstrips or launch sites to accommodate more than one wind direction and thus more flying days?

  • What is the safety record of the school and of the instructors?

  • How many students has the school taught, how many of its students receive certification each year?

  • Does the school operate full-time to fit your schedule?

  • Will the school provide references from previous students?

Check out the Flight Instruction FAQs for questions you should ask before you take an introductory flight or sign up for lessons.

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