Requirements for Obtaining a Sports
Pilot Certificate
The "sport pilot certificate" varies from existing private pilot certificates significantly including:
1. Requires only 20 hours of flight instruction as compared to 40 hours for private pilot.
2. Limits sport pilots to flying low performance airplanes: maximum weight 1320 lbs, maximum stall speed 45 knots, maximum speed 120 knots, fixed landing gear, and a fixed pitch propeller.
The objective is to make the thrill, satisfaction, and excitement of aviation available to more people by reducing the complexity and cost. The Sport Pilot certificate covers gliders, gyrocopters, powered parachutes, and weight shift aircraft; however, PSPA training is limited to airplanes.
PSPA will help you learn and understand aeronautical regulations, concepts, procedures, theories and other extensive aviation knowledge. PSPA will facilitate you to develop the skills and abilities necessary to become a safe and competent pilot.
To receive a FAA sport pilot
certificate, you need to be at least 17 years old, be fluent in English, and be
of good health as evidenced by holding a
You must also PASS 2 FAA tests:
1. FAA PILOT KNOWLEDGE TEST consisting of 40 multiple choice questions covering:
a. Applicable regulations of this chapter that relate to sport pilot privileges, limits, and flight operations.
b. Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board.
c. Use of the applicable portions of the aeronautical information manual and FAA advisory circulars.
d. Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems as appropriate.
e. Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts.
f. Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence.
g. Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance.
h. Weight and balance computations.
i. Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems.
j. Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques, as applicable.
k. Aeronautical decision making and risk management.
Preflight
actions that include:
1. How to get information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements.
2. How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or if you encounter delays.
3. FAA PRACTICAL TEST where you fly with a FAA designated pilot examiner (similar to a driving test) to demonstrate you are a safe and competent pilot by performing the following pilot maneuvers:
a. Preflight preparation.
b. Preflight procedures.
c. Airport operations where applicable.
d. Takeoffs , landings, and go-arounds.
e. Performance maneuvers.
f. Ground reference maneuvers.
g. Navigation.
h. Slow flight.
i. Stalls.
j. Emergency Operations.
k. Post-flight procedures.
For further information or assistance
please contact the
Updated