Flight Training at Santa Monica Flyers
Born in 2004, the Sport Pilot license was designed to make it easier for pilots to get involved in general aviation. While the FAA requires a private pilot candidate to have at minimum of 40 hours logged, a Sport Pilot needs only half of that - 20 hours! Additionally, there is NO requirement to pass an FAA medical. If you hold a valid US driver's licence, you just met all the medical requirements.
Nothing prevents you from completing your Private Pilot's license, Instrument Rating, or Sport Pilot Instructor Certificate in the Sportcruiser. Only 150 hours are required to become a Sport Pilot Instructor, and there is no requirement to hold either an instrument rating or a commercial license. Santa Monica Flyers makes becoming a pilot affordable!
Rates:
-
$120/hour - includes fuel
-
$110/hour - includes fuel (with the purchase of 10 hours)
-
$50/hour - flight instruction
 | 
Sport Pilot or Private Pilot, Which is right for you?
REQUIREMENTS
| REQUIREMENT |
SPORT |
PRIVATE |
INSTRUMENT |
CFIS
(Certified Flight Instructor Sport) |
| Age to Solo |
16 yrs. |
16 yrs. |
|
|
| Age for License |
17 yrs. |
17 yrs. |
|
|
| Minimum Total Flight Time |
20 hours |
40 hours |
|
|
| Typical Total Flight Time |
27 hours |
66 hours |
|
|
Flight Time with Instructor
(called "Dual" flight time) |
15 hours |
20 hours |
|
|
| Solo Flight Time |
5 hours |
10 hours |
|
|
| Cross-country Flight Time, Dual |
2 hours |
3 hours |
|
|
| Cross-country Flight Time, Solo |
1 flight >75 mi.
to 2 destinations |
5 hours
1 flt. >150 mi.
to 3 destinations |
|
|
| Night Flight Time |
None |
3 hours |
|
|
| Instrument Time (Training to flying in clouds) |
None |
3 hours |
|
|
| Written Exam |
40questions
2 hours
70% min. score |
60 questions
2 1/2 hours
70% min. score |
|
|
| Oral Exam & Flight Test (called a "Practical Exam") |
Yes |
Yes |
|
|
| Medical |
Drivers License |
3rd Class Medical Exam |
|
|
What are your privileges with this license?
PRIVILEGES
| PRIVILEGE |
SPORT PILOT |
PRIVATE PILOT |
CFIS
(Certified Flight Instructor Sport) |
| Aircraft |
Light Sport Aircraft only |
Most any aircraft
with aircraft-specific training |
|
| Paying Aircraft Expenses |
Must pay at least half |
Same as Sport Pilot |
|
| Flying for compensation |
No |
No |
|
In furtherance
of a business |
No |
Yes, but cannot be paid
to pilot the aircraft |
|
Carrying Passengers
for Charity |
No |
Yes |
|
| Number of Passengers |
1 |
No limit |
|
| Night |
No |
Yes |
|
| Weather |
Visual reference to surface
and 3 mi. visibility. |
Same, but may fly in clouds
after additional training. |
|
| Distance |
No limits |
Same as Sport Pilot |
|
| Airspace |
Additional training required
for "controlled" airspace
(included in all training
at Santa Monica Flyers) |
No limits |
|
| Altitude |
Not over 10,000'
above sea level |
No limits |
|
| Fly Outside U.S.A. |
No |
Yes |
|
|
|
