To obtain a Sport Pilot Certificate, you must meet specific eligibility, medical, knowledge, and flight experience requirements outlined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The exact mandates to earn your license are detailed below:
General Eligibility
-
- Age: You must be at least 17 years old (or 16 years old for gliders or balloons).
- Language: You must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
- Identification: You must hold a valid U.S. driver’s license or an FAA medical certificate.
Medical Qualifications
-
- Standard: A valid U.S. driver’s license satisfies the medical requirement.
- Condition: Your most recent FAA medical certificate application must not have been denied, suspended, or revoked.
- Alternative: You can choose to use an FAA Third-Class Medical Certificate or BasicMed.
Aeronautical Knowledge & Testing
-
- Ground Training: You must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete an approved home-study course.
- Knowledge Test: You must pass the computer-based FAA Sport Pilot Knowledge Test (written exam) with a score of 70% or higher.
- Practical Test: You must pass a practical flight test (checkride) given by an FAA Inspector or Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE). ]
Aeronautical Experience (Airplane Category)
To fly a single-engine airplane, you must log a minimum of 20 hours of flight time, which includes:
-
- Dual Instruction: At least 15 hours of flight training with a certified flight instructor (CFI).
-
- Includes 2 hours of dual cross-country flight training.
- Includes 2 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test within 60 days of the checkride.
-
- Solo Flight: At least 5 hours of solo flight time.
-
- Includes 1 solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles total distance, with full-stop landings at a minimum of two points.
- Includes 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop in the traffic pattern.
-
- Dual Instruction: At least 15 hours of flight training with a certified flight instructor (CFI).
(Note: While 20 hours is the FAA minimum, the national average to complete the training is closer to 30 to 35 hours)