| Northeast Light Sport Aircraft, LLC |
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New Sport Pilots
If you are seeking your first pilot certificate, the Sport Pilot Certificate/License provides the
easiest and least expensive way to fly for fun and recreation. To earn a Sport Pilot
(Airplane) Certificate, you will need to:
* Provided the FAA did not deny, revoke, or suspend your last Airman’s Medical Certificate
application. Alternately, a Third Class Airman’s Medical Certificate can be used to establish
medical fitness.
Current Pilots
A pilot with a Recreational Pilot Certificate or higher (such as Private Pilot) may exercise
the privileges of a Sport Pilot Certificate, provided the holder complies with the privileges
and limitations of a Sport Pilot Certificate. The main benefit for existing pilots is that Sport
Pilot requires only a valid state driver’s license to establish medical fitness. However,
existing pilots (including previous student pilots) who have had their most recent FAA
Medical Certificate application denied, suspended, or revoked by the FAA are not allowed
to operate using their driver’s license.
To fly as a Sport Pilot, an existing pilot must:
* Provided the FAA did not deny, revoke, or suspend your last Airman’s Medical Certificate
application. Alternatively, a Third Class Airman’s Medical Certificate can be used to establish
medical fitness.
An individual with a Private, Commercial, or ATP certificate may perform the flight review in
any aircraft authorized by the person’s pilot certificate. This allows the pilot to perform a
flight review in a non-LSA, such as a Cessna 152 or a Diamond DA20, provided that the CFI
is the Pilot in Command during the flight review.
If you are an existing pilot, and you meet the requirements above, all you need to do to
operate as a Sport Pilot is to comply with the rules. No change of certificates is necessary.
If ramp checked, a Private Pilot may simply present their Private Pilot Certificate and valid
state driver’s license and inform the FAA Inspector that “I am operating as a Sport Pilot.”
Operating as a Sport Pilot
Privileges:
Limitations:
Still Interested ??? Check out our Sport Pilot Training Course
If you are seeking your first pilot certificate, the Sport Pilot Certificate/License provides the
easiest and least expensive way to fly for fun and recreation. To earn a Sport Pilot
(Airplane) Certificate, you will need to:
- Be at least 16 years old to become a student Sport Pilot
- Be at least 17 years old to test for a Sport Pilot Certificate
- Be able to read, write, and understand English
- Hold a current and valid state driver’s license as evidence of medical eligibility*
- Receive at least 20 hours of flight training
- Pass the FAA Sport Pilot Knowledge Test
- Pass the FAA Sport Pilot Practical (flight) Test
* Provided the FAA did not deny, revoke, or suspend your last Airman’s Medical Certificate
application. Alternately, a Third Class Airman’s Medical Certificate can be used to establish
medical fitness.
Current Pilots
A pilot with a Recreational Pilot Certificate or higher (such as Private Pilot) may exercise
the privileges of a Sport Pilot Certificate, provided the holder complies with the privileges
and limitations of a Sport Pilot Certificate. The main benefit for existing pilots is that Sport
Pilot requires only a valid state driver’s license to establish medical fitness. However,
existing pilots (including previous student pilots) who have had their most recent FAA
Medical Certificate application denied, suspended, or revoked by the FAA are not allowed
to operate using their driver’s license.
To fly as a Sport Pilot, an existing pilot must:
- Hold a valid pilot certificate
- Hold a current and valid U.S. driver’s license as evidence of medical eligibility*
- Have a current flight review recorded in his/her logbook
- Fly a sport pilot-eligible aircraft
- Operate within the privileges and limitations of the Sport Pilot Certificate
- Operate within the category/class ratings on the pilot certificate
* Provided the FAA did not deny, revoke, or suspend your last Airman’s Medical Certificate
application. Alternatively, a Third Class Airman’s Medical Certificate can be used to establish
medical fitness.
An individual with a Private, Commercial, or ATP certificate may perform the flight review in
any aircraft authorized by the person’s pilot certificate. This allows the pilot to perform a
flight review in a non-LSA, such as a Cessna 152 or a Diamond DA20, provided that the CFI
is the Pilot in Command during the flight review.
If you are an existing pilot, and you meet the requirements above, all you need to do to
operate as a Sport Pilot is to comply with the rules. No change of certificates is necessary.
If ramp checked, a Private Pilot may simply present their Private Pilot Certificate and valid
state driver’s license and inform the FAA Inspector that “I am operating as a Sport Pilot.”
Operating as a Sport Pilot
Privileges:
- You may operate as pilot in command of a sport pilot eligible aircraft
- You may carry a passenger and share expenses (fuel, oil, airport expenses, and
aircraft rental) - You may fly cross-country anywhere in the U.S.
- You may fly up to 10,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL)
- You may fly solo or with one passenger
- You may share operating expenses with another person
- You may fly in Class E and G airspace (and B, C, and D airspace with appropriate
training) - You may fly during the daytime using visual flight rules (VFR). Three statute miles
visibility and visual contact with the ground are required. - You may fly production (standard airworthiness certificate) and experimental amateur-
built aircraft that meet the definition of a light-sport aircraft - You may rent special light-sport aircraft (S-LSA)
Limitations:
- You are prohibited from flying in Class A airspace
- You are prohibited from flying in Class B, C, or D airspace until you receive training
and a logbook endorsement from an instructor - You are prohibited from flights outside the U.S. without prior permission from the
foreign aviation authority - You are prohibited from towing any object
- You are prohibited from carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire
- You are prohibited from flying in furtherance of a business
Still Interested ??? Check out our Sport Pilot Training Course