Sport Pilot Certificate
Step-by-Step Guide to Earning a Sport Pilot Certificate
So you want to become a pilot? Earning your sport pilot certificate is one of the easiest and least expensive ways to fly an aircraft for fun. Santa Monica Flyers, one of the top flight schools in the Los Angeles area, offers courses that get you on your way to earning a sport pilot license. This article explores everything you need to know about sport pilot licenses, including what’s required to qualify, how much it costs, and what privileges are granted with the certificate.
What is a sport pilot certificate?
A sport pilot certificate is a pilot license that allows you to fly a light sport aircraft (LSA) (under 1,320 pounds) for recreational purposes, carrying one passenger during daylight and in good weather conditions.
To qualify for a sport pilot certificate, you must be at least 17 years old, fluent in the English language, and have a minimum of 20 hours of flight time. You must also pass a written exam and a practical flying test.
A sport pilot certificate is ideal for beginner pilots looking to get their feet wet in the aviation world without committing to a more expensive and involved license such as a private pilot certificate. It’s also an excellent option for those living in areas with good flying conditions, as sport pilot certificate holders are restricted to daylight hours and good weather.
The sport pilot certificate is issued with no expiration date, however, like all FAA pilot certificates, maintaining your pilot privileges is contingent on your successful completion of a flight review every 2 years.
A sport pilot certificate is an excellent option if you’re looking to fly an aircraft for recreation, however, if you’d like to fly commercially or at night, you need to seek more advanced licenses, such as the private pilot license.
General Requirements for sport pilot certificates
- At least 17 years old by your “FAA Checkride.”
- Be able to read, speak, write and understand English
- 3rd Class Medical Certificate OR U.S. Driver’s License
- 20 hours of flight time:
- 15 of these hours from an authorized instructor
- 5 of these hours of solo flight training
- One solo cross country flight
- 2 of these hours of cross-country flight training
- Ten takeoffs and landings
- Exams Required for Certification
- FAA Knowledge Test
- Multiple-choice exam (40 questions) administered by FAA-authorized facility
- FAA Checkride
- Oral Exam
- Flight/Practical Exam
- FAA Knowledge Test
What are the types of sport pilot certificates?
Here are some of the options available to a sport pilot certificate holder:
Sport Pilot Certificate: Allows holders to operate an array of light sport aircraft for recreational purposes under the following aircraft categories and classes: Note: additional category and class privileges requires training and passing of a proficiency check.
- Airplane (category), Single-Engine Land (class)–Available at SMF
- Glider (category)
- Rotorcraft (category) and gyroplane (class)
- Lighter-than-air (category) and airship (class)
- Powered parachute (category) land or sea (class)
- Weight-shift-control aircraft (category) land or sea (class)
Why become a sport pilot?
There are many reasons the sport pilot certificate has become so popular. One reason is that the sport pilot certificate is considerably less expensive than the other basic pilot certificates: the recreational pilot and private pilot certificate. Another great benefit of the sport pilot certificate is that it can be earned in a relatively short time frame, minimum 20 hours of flight training compared to the 40 hours required for the private pilot certificate.
Finally, the sport pilot license is more limited than other types of flying certificates, meaning sport pilots have to operate with a higher margin of safety and caution when in the air. This makes the sport pilot license safer for both sport pilots and others in their vicinity.
Do sport pilot certificates have restrictions?
Because sport pilot certificates are intended for recreational purposes and sport flying, there are some restrictions on what sport pilots can do. These include:
- Sport pilots can carry up to one passenger for recreational purposes and split the costs of the flight with that passenger.
- Sport pilots cannot fly at night or during inclement weather conditions. They must only fly during daylight hours in good weather with a minimum of 3 miles (4 kilometers) visibility.
- Sport pilots cannot operate a light sport aircraft in furtherance of a business, meaning they cannot use an airplane to travel to or from any location where business will be conducted, even if the business activity is entirely outside of aviation and even if no compensation, financially or otherwise, occurs.
- Sport pilots are limited to the category and class of sport aircraft they were trained in and are limited to where they can fly them (they cannot fly, in general, at altitudes higher than 10,000 feet, for example).
What are the eligibility requirements for a sport pilot certificate?
To be eligible for a sport pilot certificate, pilots must meet the following requirements:
- Age: Sport pilots must be at least 17 years old.
- Flight time: Pilots must have a minimum of 20 hours of flight time. This can include training and experience from other licenses or certificates.
- Written exam: Pilots must pass a written exam on sport pilot knowledge.
- Flight test: Pilots must complete a practical flying test to receive their sport pilot certificate.
If you meet these requirements and are interested in becoming a sport pilot, the next step is finding a flight school like Santa Monica Flyers that offers sport pilot certification training.
What are the training requirements for a sport pilot license?
To obtain a sport pilot license, pilots must complete at least 20 hours of flight training. This training must include the following:
- Ground school: Pilots must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a ground school course on sport pilot knowledge. At SMF, this is normally done one-on-one with the flight instructor.
- Flight time: Pilots must have a minimum of 20 flight hours, including at least 15 hours of flight instruction and 5 hours of solo flight time.
Flight schools like Santa Monica Flyers offer sport pilot certification training that covers these requirements. Once you have completed the necessary flight hours and passed your written and practical exams, you will be a certified sport pilot!
What types of airplanes can a sport pilot fly?
A sport pilot certificate allows pilots to fly a limited number of airplanes called light sport aircraft. Light sport aircraft are typically small, simple planes that are easy to wash and have lower operating costs than faster, more advanced airplanes such as the Cirrus. Some examples of light sport aircraft include the SportCruiser (PiperSport), Cessna 162, J-3 Cub, Aeronca Champ, and Sling LSA. These light sport aircraft are typically used for private, recreational flying and basic pilot training.
If you are interested in learning to fly a specific type of light sport aircraft, check with your nearest flight school to see if they offer training for that particular airplane. Santa Monica Flyers offers sport pilot certification training in the SportCruiser (PiperSport).
What are the benefits of obtaining a sport pilot certificate?
While sport pilots have some restrictions regarding where they can fly sport airplanes and what types they are allowed to operate, several benefits come with obtaining your sport pilot certificate. These benefits include:
- Less expensive to operate than other types of private airplanes.
- Easier and less expensive to get your sport pilot certificate than a regular private pilot license.
- You can fly light sport aircraft that are smaller, simpler, and easier to fly than other private airplanes.
What is the cost of a sport pilot certificate?
The cost of a sport pilot certificate varies depending on the flight school you attend and the type of aircraft you choose to fly. However, sport pilot certificates are generally less expensive than regular private pilot licenses, averaging around $10k.
Sport pilot certification is an excellent way for pilots to get their feet wet in the world of flying. Our flight instructors have years of experience teaching new and aspiring sport pilots how to fly, and we offer sport pilot certification training that fits every budget. If you want to earn your sport pilot certificate, contact Santa Monica Flyers today! If you are interested in more operating privileges, we also offer training for the private pilot certificate.
What is the difference between a sport pilot certificate and a recreational pilot certificate?
A sport pilot license is a type of pilot certificate that allows pilots to fly light sport aircraft. On the other hand, a recreational pilot license will enable pilots to fly all kinds of light sport aircraft and certain single-engine airplanes.
Differences in requirements: sport pilots must have a minimum of 20 flight hours, whereas recreational pilots need 30 flight hours.
Differences in privileges: sport pilots can only fly “light-sport aircraft” and cannot carry more than one passenger or fly outside of the United States. The occupancy limit for recreational pilots is the same, but they may technically fly aircraft larger than a light sport aircraft. The limit for size of aircraft is aircraft capable/certificated of seating four occupants, but again, the recreational pilot is still subject to only one passenger.
Which certificate is suitable for you? That depends on what you plan to do with your pilot license. A sport pilot license may be ideal for you if you are only interested in flying light sport aircraft. If you want more flexibility regarding the types of aircraft you can fly, a recreational pilot license is a better option.
What is the difference between a sport pilot certificate and a private pilot certificate?
A private pilot license allows pilots to fly day or night all light sport aircraft and many varieties of single-engine airplanes including aircraft such as the C172, Cirrus, Bonanza, Pipers, and Mooneys.
Differences in requirements: sport pilots are able to satisfy the FAA’s medical requirements using a valid, current U.S. driver’s license whereas private pilots must have passed an FAA medical exam and hold a current third-class medical certificate.
Private pilots may carry as many passengers as there are seats aboard (and divide the costs among those passengers) and fly outside the United States. Sport pilots can only bring one passenger and are restricted against flying internationally without approval from the governing agency of the country in which they wish to operate an LSA.
Which certificate is suitable for you? That depends on what you plan to do with your pilot license. A private pilot license may suit you if you are interested in flying various aircraft day or night. A sport pilot license may be a better option if you only want to fly light sport aircraft and fly during the daylight only.
Can you fly a Cessna 172 with a sport pilot license?
No, sport pilot licenses only allow pilots to fly light sport aircraft. Cessna 172s are not considered light sport aircraft. However, a sport pilot can fly many other types of light sport aircraft. If you are interested in flying a specific type of aircraft, contact your local flight school and ask if they offer training for that type of aircraft. At Santa Monica Flyers, we offer sport pilot training in the SportCruiser. Contact us today to learn more!
Can you fly a Cessna 150 with a sport pilot license?
Sport pilots are allowed to fly light sport aircraft. The Cessna 150 is not a LSA.
Learn more about flight pilot certificates
A sport pilot license is an excellent option if you’re looking to get into flying for recreational purposes. It’s easy to obtain and requires less flight time than more advanced licenses. Learn about how long it takes to become a sport pilot.
So, what are you waiting for? Start working on your sport pilot certificate today! Santa Monica Flyers is the perfect place to start. We offer courses that get you on your way to earning a sport pilot license, and our experienced instructors will help you every step of the way. Contact us today for more information!
