Sport Pilot

Minimum Requirements

• You must be at least 17 years of age.
• You must be able to read, speak, write and understand English.
• You must posess an FAA medical certificate OR U.S. driver’s license.
• You must not have been denied an application for an FAA medical certificate, and must not have had your medical certificate revoked.
• You must pass a written examination with a score of 70% or better.
• You must have logged at least 20 hours of flight time, consisting of:
  • At least 15 hours of flight instruction, including:
    • At least 2 hours of cross-country flight training.
    • At least 10 takeoffs and landings, in the traffic pattern, to a full stop.
    • 3 hours of flight training in preparation for the practical test, within 60 days prior to taking it.
  • At least 5 hours of solo flight training, consisting of:
    • One solo cross-country flight of at least 75NM total distance, with a full-stop landing at a minimum of two points, with one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 25NM between the takeoff and landing locations.
• You must successfully complete a flight test given by an FAA Inspector or Designated Examiner.

Limitations of a Sport Pilot

The privileges and limitations of the Sport Pilot license have recently changed under the new
MOSAIC framework. Sport pilots can now legally fly common 4-seat general aviation trainers (like
the Cessna 172 or Piper Cherokee) provided the aircraft meets specific stall speed metrics. Eligibility
of aircraft sport pilots are allowed to fly is now performance-based under 14 CFR 61.316. While not
required for sport pilot training, if you seek advanced training under the sport pilot license such as
night operations or complex (retractable gear, controllable pitch propellers), you are required to
receive explicit ground and flight training with an endorsement from the instructor once they deem
you are safe and knowledgeable enough to operate in these conditions solo.

So, Why Sport Pilot?

There are several reasons to consider the Sport Pilot license. One is obviously the lower expense associated with obtaining the ticket. The minimum required flight time for obtaining the Sport Pilot license is 1/2 that of that required for the Private. While few candidates complete their training within the FAA-mandated minimum time, you will nevertheless earn the Sport Pilot license more quickly (and hence, economically) than the Private.

Medical concerns are another consideration. The third-class medical certification required to exercise the privileges of a Private Pilot license can be extensive. While most conditions will not prevent you from obtaining certification, certain conditions will require extra time, effort, medical records, and/or medical testing before the FAA will grant certification. The Sport Pilot license does not require a medical certification. A valid U.S. driver’s license is all that’s required. Again, you must not have been denied an FAA medical, nor had one revoked.

Sport Pilot is ideal for recreational fliers who don’t mind the limitations of the license. It can also be an excellent stepping stone to the Private Pilot license later on. Most of the instruction you’ll receive toward the Sport Pilot license may also be applied toward earning a Private Pilot license. If the Private license is not economically feasible for you now, you can earn a Sport Pilot license, moving up to the Private whenever you have the means and desire to do so.

In short, a Sport Pilot license is a an excellent, economical way into the wonderful world of flying.

Not Sure?

If you’re not sure which license is right for you, please give us a call at 765-319-3295, or send an e-mail to info@flighttrainingcenters.com. If you can tell us a little bit about what you’d like to do with your license, your budget and so on, we can discuss the options in more detail and help you decide which path is right for you.

Aircraft

If you do not have your own aircraft, we recommend joining the Indiana Pilots Club, which has a number of different aircraft available for use at all our Flight Training Centers locations.

Approximate Costs

FAA Minimum Required Time

Average Costs

Costs do not include: Examiner Fees ($1000), Knowedge Test Fees ($175), or Club Dues ($480/year). Costs shown here are approximate and are listed for demonstrative purposes.

Materials and Equipment

You will need the following items by the conclusion of your flight training: FAR/AIM, Sectional Map, Flight Computer, Plotter, Textbook, Pilot Logbook, Written Test Guide, ASC, Oral Prep Guide.

(Most of these items are included in our “Sport Pilot Kit“.)

Payment Options

Option #1: Pay as you go by either deposting money on account before or after each flight.
Option #2: Pay an advance payment of any amount and receive an additional 10% credit on your account. For example if you deposit $7000 you will receive a $700 credit, $1000 will give you a credit of $100.  Ten percent additional credit is only available one time.

INSTRUCTOR RATES

For more information contact: info@flighttrainingcenters.com.