Sport Pilot Requirements

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The sport pilot certificate varies from existing private pilot certificates significantly. Differences include:

  • Requires only 20 hours of total flight instruction time as compared to 40 hours for private pilot.
  • Limits sport pilots to flying low performance airplanes with:
    • maximum weight 1320 lbs
    • maximum stall speed 45 knots
    • maximum speed 120 knots
    • fixed landing gear
    • a fixed pitch propeller.

To receive an FAA sport pilot certificate, you need to:

  • be at least 17 years old
  • be fluent in English
  • be of good health as evidenced by holding a US driver's license
  • log at least 20 hours total flight time with:
    • at least 15 hours dual instruction with a qualified flight instructor
    • at least 2 hours cross-country dual instruction
    • at least 5 hours solo flight
    • one solo cross-country with a total distance of 75nm or more to two different destinations to a full-stop landing. One leg must be at least 25nm.
  • pass a 40 question FAA PILOT Knowledge Test
  • pass an FAA Practical Test

External Links

Sport Pilot - Everything you need to know about Sport Piloting

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