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BECOMING A SPORT PILOT

 

HOW DO I BECOME A SPORT PILOT?    

  • All first time LSA pilots are required to be trained by a qualified FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). 

  • You will need to obtain a Student Pilot Certificate from any FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) or from a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).  

 

WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS? 

  • You must be 16 years of age. 

  • You must possess a valid state-issued  driver license or photo ID (or a 3rd class airman medical certificate).

  • Be able to read, speak and write the English language. 

 

WHAT WILL I LEARN DURING TRAINING?

Accoring to the FAA's Federal Aviation Rule 61.113 you must receive and log ground and flight traiing from an authorized CFI instructor on the following areas of operation (as appropriate): 

  • Preflight preparation

  • Preflight procedures

  • Airport, seaplane base, and gliderport operations, as applicable.

  • Takoffs (or launches), landings, and go-arounds.  

  • Performance maneuvers, and for gliders, performance speeds. 

  • Ground reference maneuvers (not applicable to gliders and balloons).

  • Navigation

  • Emergency operations.

  • Post-flight procedures.  

Earning a Gyroplane Rating

 

HOW MANY HOURS MUST I FLY TO RECEIVE A GYROPLANE RATING?    

  • Fifteen hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in a gyroplane. 

  • Three hours of flight training on those areas of operation specified in Sec. 61.311 preparing for the practical test within 60 days before the date of the test.

  • Five hours (minimum) of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.311 to include two hours of cross-country flight training. 

  • Ten takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport.

  • One solo cross-country flight of at least 50 nautical miles total distance, with a full-stop landing at a minimum of two points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations.   

 

WHO CAN RECOMMEND ME FOR THE PRACTICAL EXAM?

Only your certified flight instructor (CFI) is authorized to recommend you for a practical exam.  You must receive a logbook endorsement stating that you have met the requirements for Section 61.309, 61.311, and 61.313.  

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 WHEN SHOULD I TAKE THE KNOWLEGE EXAM?

It is recommended that you take the test after your solo cross-country and before your CFI signs off.  You should begin studying for the knowledge test from the first lesson.  

Earning a Powered Parachute Rating

 

HOW MANY HOURS MUST I FLY TO RECEIVE A PPC RATING?    

Twelve hours of flight time in a powered parachute inlcuding:

  • Ten hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in a powered parachute, and at least two hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.311

  • One hour of cross-country flight training.

  • Twenty takeoffs and landings to a full stop in a powered parachute with each landing involving flight in the traffic pattern at an airport. 

  • Ten takeoffs and landings to a full stop with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern at an airport.

  • One solo flight with a landing at a different airport and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 10 nautical miles between takeoff and landing locations.  

  • One hour of flight training with an authorized instructor on those areas of operation specified in Sec 61.311 in preparation for the practical exam within the preceding two calendar months from the month of the exam.  

 

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