Regulations and Certification Requirements: Sport Pilot Certification (Part 61 Subpart J)
The Core Framework
Subpart J of Part 61 creates the sport pilot certificate. A candidate must be at least 17 years old (16 for a glider or balloon), able to read, speak, write, and understand English, and hold at least a third-class medical certificate OR qualify to operate without one by holding a valid U.S. driver's license and self-certifying fitness. The minimum aeronautical experience is 20 hours of flight time for airplane sport pilots (15 in a glider or balloon), including at least 15 hours of instruction from an authorized instructor and 5 hours of solo flight. Two solo cross-country flights are required for airplanes, one of at least 75 nautical miles total distance.
Privileges and Limits
Sport pilots may act as pilot in command of a light-sport aircraft (LSA) only, may not carry more than one passenger, may not fly for compensation or hire, may not operate at night, and may not tow a glider or operate in furtherance of a business. They may share operating expenses with a passenger, and they may conduct flight instruction only if separately endorsed as a sport pilot instructor.
Traps to Watch
Questions love to swap numbers between categories: 17 vs. 16 years old, 20 vs. 15 hours, airplane vs. glider minimums. Another classic trap is the medical question: a driver's license is not a medical certificate, and the self-certification condition can be lost if the pilot knows of a disqualifying condition. Do not confuse sport pilot privileges with recreational pilot privileges.
Rule of Thumb
Remember "20/15/5": 20 total hours, 15 dual, 5 solo for airplane sport pilots. And "one passenger, daylight, no pay."