FAA Sport Pilot cheat sheet

A sport pilot certificate requires at least 17 years of age for airplanes, gliders, and gyroplanes; 16 years for balloons and airships.

Minimum aeronautical experience for a sport pilot airplane rating: 20 hours total flight time, including 15 hours dual and 5 hours solo.

The 15 hours dual must include 2 hours cross-country and 1 hour of flight training within the preceding 60 days preparing for the practical test.

The 5 hours solo must include at least 10 takeoffs and 10 landings and one solo cross-country of at least 75 nautical miles total distance with landings at a minimum of two points.

A sport pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying more than one passenger, nor for compensation or hire.

Sport pilot privileges are limited to aircraft in the light-sport category; the pilot must hold the category and class rating appropriate to the aircraft.

A sport pilot may not fly at night, in Class A airspace, or above 10,000 feet MSL (or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher).

A sport pilot must hold at least a current third-class medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver's license as medical eligibility, and must self-certify fitness before each flight.

A sport pilot instructor (Subpart K) must be at least 18, hold a sport pilot certificate with the applicable category and class rating, and have at least 100 hours of flight time as pilot in command.

14 CFR 61.316 lists the aircraft performance limits and design requirements a sport pilot must operate within.

Maximum stall speed: 45 knots calibrated airspeed in the landing configuration at maximum certificated weight.

Maximum level flight speed at maximum continuous power: 120 knots calibrated airspeed.

Maximum seating capacity: two persons, including the pilot.

Maximum certificated takeoff weight: 1,320 pounds (600 kg) for landplanes; 1,430 pounds (650 kg) for seaplanes and amphibians.

Single engine only, and the aircraft must be non-pressurized.

The aircraft must have fixed landing gear (retractable gear requires additional training and endorsement), with exceptions for seaplanes and gliders.

The aircraft must have a fixed or ground-adjustable propeller (a manual controllable pitch propeller requires additional training and endorsement).

The aircraft must be operated within these design limits; exceeding them removes the aircraft from light-sport eligibility for sport pilot operation.

A sport pilot may not operate an aircraft with retractable landing gear without a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor for that make and model.

A sport pilot may not operate an aircraft with a manual controllable pitch propeller without a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor for that make and model.

The retractable gear endorsement requires ground and flight training on normal and emergency gear extension procedures, and a proficiency check.

The controllable pitch propeller endorsement requires ground and flight training on propeller operation and emergency procedures, and a proficiency check.

A sport pilot may not act as pilot in command at night unless the pilot holds the appropriate night training endorsement and meets the aeronautical experience requirements.

Night operations training must include at least 3 hours of flight training at night, including 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop.

Night operations training must also include at least 3 hours of dual instruction in night cross-country flying.

An instructor providing these qualifying endorsements must hold the appropriate category and class rating and be authorized to give the training.

Endorsements are recorded in the pilot's logbook with the instructor's signature, certificate number, and expiration date where applicable.

A proficiency check is required to add a category or class rating to a sport pilot certificate, or to reinstate privileges after a lapse.

The proficiency check is administered by a designated sport pilot examiner or an authorized instructor, as applicable.

The check consists of an oral questioning portion and a flight portion covering the applicable areas of operation.

The applicant must demonstrate satisfactory knowledge and skill in each required area of operation; failure in any area requires a retest of that area.

The check must be completed within the preceding 24 calendar months for the privileges to remain valid.

The applicant must present a current medical eligibility document (third-class medical or driver's license) and logbook at the check.

The proficiency check is not a practical test for a new certificate; it verifies continued competence for existing privileges.

A failed proficiency check requires additional training and a new endorsement before retesting.

The sport pilot knowledge test must be passed before the practical test and is valid for 24 calendar months.

The applicant must present a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying preparation for the practical test within the preceding 60 days.

The practical test consists of an oral portion and a flight portion; the applicant must pass both.

The applicant must provide an aircraft that meets the applicable light-sport requirements and is airworthy.

The applicant must present proof of age, identity, and medical eligibility at the practical test.

The applicant must have logged the required aeronautical experience for the category and class rating sought.

The practical test standards (Airman Certification Standards) define the areas of operation and tasks to be evaluated.

A notice of disapproval is issued if the applicant fails; the applicant must receive additional training and an endorsement before retesting.

The knowledge test report must be presented at the practical test; a passing score is 70 percent or higher.

A sport pilot certificate requires at least 17 years of age for airplanes, gliders, and gyroplanes; 16 years for balloons and airships.

Minimum aeronautical experience for a sport pilot airplane rating: 20 hours total flight time, including 15 hours dual and 5 hours solo.

The 15 hours dual must include 2 hours cross-country and 1 hour of flight training within the preceding 60 days preparing for the practical test.

The 5 hours solo must include at least 10 takeoffs and 10 landings and one solo cross-country of at least 75 nautical miles total distance with landings at a minimum of two points.

A sport pilot may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying more than one passenger, nor for compensation or hire.

Sport pilot privileges are limited to aircraft in the light-sport category; the pilot must hold the category and class rating appropriate to the aircraft.

A sport pilot may not fly at night, in Class A airspace, or above 10,000 feet MSL (or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher).

A sport pilot must hold at least a current third-class medical certificate or a valid U.S. driver's license as medical eligibility, and must self-certify fitness before each flight.

A sport pilot instructor (Subpart K) must be at least 18, hold a sport pilot certificate with the applicable category and class rating, and have at least 100 hours of flight time as pilot in command.

14 CFR 61.316 lists the aircraft performance limits and design requirements a sport pilot must operate within.

Maximum stall speed: 45 knots calibrated airspeed in the landing configuration at maximum certificated weight.

Maximum level flight speed at maximum continuous power: 120 knots calibrated airspeed.

Maximum seating capacity: two persons, including the pilot.

Maximum certificated takeoff weight: 1,320 pounds (600 kg) for landplanes; 1,430 pounds (650 kg) for seaplanes and amphibians.

Single engine only, and the aircraft must be non-pressurized.

The aircraft must have fixed landing gear (retractable gear requires additional training and endorsement), with exceptions for seaplanes and gliders.

The aircraft must have a fixed or ground-adjustable propeller (a manual controllable pitch propeller requires additional training and endorsement).

The aircraft must be operated within these design limits; exceeding them removes the aircraft from light-sport eligibility for sport pilot operation.

A sport pilot may not operate an aircraft with retractable landing gear without a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor for that make and model.

A sport pilot may not operate an aircraft with a manual controllable pitch propeller without a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor for that make and model.

The retractable gear endorsement requires ground and flight training on normal and emergency gear extension procedures, and a proficiency check.

The controllable pitch propeller endorsement requires ground and flight training on propeller operation and emergency procedures, and a proficiency check.

A sport pilot may not act as pilot in command at night unless the pilot holds the appropriate night training endorsement and meets the aeronautical experience requirements.

Night operations training must include at least 3 hours of flight training at night, including 10 takeoffs and 10 landings to a full stop.

Night operations training must also include at least 3 hours of dual instruction in night cross-country flying.

An instructor providing these qualifying endorsements must hold the appropriate category and class rating and be authorized to give the training.

Endorsements are recorded in the pilot's logbook with the instructor's signature, certificate number, and expiration date where applicable.

A proficiency check is required to add a category or class rating to a sport pilot certificate, or to reinstate privileges after a lapse.

The proficiency check is administered by a designated sport pilot examiner or an authorized instructor, as applicable.

The check consists of an oral questioning portion and a flight portion covering the applicable areas of operation.

The applicant must demonstrate satisfactory knowledge and skill in each required area of operation; failure in any area requires a retest of that area.

The check must be completed within the preceding 24 calendar months for the privileges to remain valid.

The applicant must present a current medical eligibility document (third-class medical or driver's license) and logbook at the check.

The proficiency check is not a practical test for a new certificate; it verifies continued competence for existing privileges.

A failed proficiency check requires additional training and a new endorsement before retesting.

The sport pilot knowledge test must be passed before the practical test and is valid for 24 calendar months.

The applicant must present a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying preparation for the practical test within the preceding 60 days.

The practical test consists of an oral portion and a flight portion; the applicant must pass both.

The applicant must provide an aircraft that meets the applicable light-sport requirements and is airworthy.

The applicant must present proof of age, identity, and medical eligibility at the practical test.

The applicant must have logged the required aeronautical experience for the category and class rating sought.

The practical test standards (Airman Certification Standards) define the areas of operation and tasks to be evaluated.

A notice of disapproval is issued if the applicant fails; the applicant must receive additional training and an endorsement before retesting.

The knowledge test report must be presented at the practical test; a passing score is 70 percent or higher.