FAA Sport Pilot key terms

A pilot certificate that lets a person fly light-sport aircraft within defined limits on weight, speed, altitude, and passengers, without holding a higher-grade FAA pilot certificate.

An aircraft category defined by the FAA with limits such as a maximum gross weight of 1,320 pounds (1,430 for seaplanes), a top speed of 120 knots, and no more than two seats.

The portion of Part 61 that sets the certification rules, experience requirements, and privileges for sport pilots, including the aircraft categories they may fly.

The portion of Part 61 that covers flight instructors with a sport pilot rating, including eligibility, endorsements they may give, and limits on their instructing privileges.

A flight instructor who holds a sport pilot rating and may train and endorse applicants for sport pilot certificates, but only for the category and class of aircraft listed on that instructor's certificate.

The operating authority granted to a sport pilot, which excludes flying at night, carrying more than one passenger, flying for compensation, and flying aircraft that exceed light-sport limits.

A broad classification of aircraft, such as airplane, glider, lighter-than-air, or weight-shift-control, used on pilot certificates to show what type of craft the holder may operate.

A narrower aircraft grouping within a category, such as single-engine land or sea, that appears on a pilot certificate and limits what aircraft the pilot may fly.

The specific manufacturer and model of light-sport aircraft that a sport pilot is authorized to fly, listed on the certificate rather than a broad category or class.

The highest weight at which an aircraft is approved to begin a takeoff, used as a key limit when deciding whether an aircraft qualifies as a light-sport aircraft.

The total permitted weight of an aircraft including fuel, occupants, and baggage at which it may be operated, a core design limit for light-sport aircraft eligibility.

The fastest speed an aircraft can maintain in level flight at maximum continuous power, used to test whether an aircraft meets the light-sport speed limit of 120 knots.

Indicated airspeed corrected for instrument and position error, the value used when checking an aircraft against the light-sport speed limit.

The lowest speed at which an aircraft can fly before the wing stops producing enough lift, a design limit used to judge light-sport aircraft eligibility and landing performance.

The difference between an aircraft's maximum gross weight and its empty weight, representing the weight available for fuel, pilot, passengers, and baggage.

The process of confirming that an aircraft's total weight and the location of its center of gravity stay within approved limits for safe handling.

The point where the total weight of an aircraft is considered to act, which must stay within a specified range for stable and controllable flight.

Landing gear that can be folded or drawn into the aircraft structure in flight, requiring a separate endorsement before a sport pilot may operate an aircraft equipped with it.

A propeller whose blade pitch the pilot adjusts by hand, requiring specific training and an endorsement before a sport pilot may fly an aircraft so equipped.

A logbook entry from an authorized instructor certifying that a pilot has received the training needed to operate aircraft with retractable gear, controllable pitch propellers, or similar systems.

Flight conducted between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, which sport pilots may not perform without meeting additional FAA requirements and training.

The period of daylight after sunset and before sunrise defined by the sun's position, used to determine when night flight rules and logging requirements begin.

The recent flight experience, including takeoffs and landings to a full stop, that a pilot must complete within a set time period to carry passengers at night.

A practical evaluation of a pilot's flying skills and knowledge, conducted to confirm the pilot can safely exercise the privileges of the certificate being sought or held.

The FAA examination that includes an oral knowledge portion and a flight portion, used to determine whether an applicant meets the standards for a pilot certificate or rating.

The published document that lists the knowledge, risk management, and skill standards an applicant must meet on the practical test for a given certificate or rating.

A qualified person appointed by the FAA to administer practical tests and issue certificates on the agency's behalf, following the applicable certification standards.

A written statement, usually in a logbook or on a certificate, in which an authorized instructor or examiner certifies that a pilot has met a specific training or experience requirement.

A written or computer-based FAA exam covering regulations, aerodynamics, weather, and operating procedures that an applicant must pass before taking the practical test.

The document showing a passing score on the FAA knowledge test, which an applicant must present to the examiner before the practical test and which has a limited validity period.

A certificate issued to a person learning to fly, allowing solo flight only when the holder carries the required instructor endorsements and meets all operating limitations.

An instructor's logbook sign-off confirming that a student has the knowledge and skill to fly alone in a specific aircraft make and model under stated conditions.

A required recurrent check with an authorized instructor, normally every 24 months, consisting of at least one hour of ground training and one hour of flight training.

The process by which a sport pilot confirms before each flight that they are physically and mentally fit, since sport pilots do not hold an FAA medical certificate.

The allowance permitting sport pilots to use a valid state driver's license as evidence of medical fitness instead of an FAA medical certificate, provided they meet the stated conditions.

The speed shown on the airspeed indicator, which the pilot uses for operating decisions and which differs from true airspeed as altitude and temperature change.

Common term for the practical test flight and oral exam given by an examiner to evaluate whether an applicant meets the certification standards.