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We do, unsurprisingly, get asked a lot how a Sport Pilot license can help one get a Private Pilot License.  So here is a breakdown as we understand it.  We hope you find this helpful.

To be clear, we do not sell pilot's licenses.  We sell flight and ground instruction by the hour.  And we put our hearts and souls into every hour.  We can work with you to prepare for a check ride for a Sport Pilot license, but we do not make any guarantees as to your abilities as a student to absorb and demonstrate the information nor how long it may take to get to that point.  We will  do our very best to meet you where you are and get you where you want to go, though, for as little or as long as it takes.  It is our opinion, however, that one can enjoy flight training without having a goal to obtain a license -- like one can enjoy piano lessons without ever intending to become a concert pianist -- because flying is fun and airplanes are neat!


 
Sport Pilot 61.313(a) minimums
we can help you with ...
Private Pilot 61.109 minimums
Solo mnvrs & procs
​61.87(d)
same
 
same
XC Solo mnvrs & procs
​61.93(e)
same
 
same
Aeronautical Experience - common
61.311
[see below]
61.107(b)1
Total time
20h
20h
40h
​Instructor training​
15h
5h
20h
​XC training
2h
1h
3h
​Solo time
5h
5h
10h
controlled airspace & towered field
​61.109(b)(5)(iii)
 
endorsement
3 TO+Ldg at a towered field
​150nm XC
​61.109(b)(5)(ii)
 
long solo
150nm solo XC ; 50nm leg ; 3 stops
​basic instrument
​61.107(b)(ix)
 
3h
3h
​Night training
​61.107(b)(xi)
 
 
3h
Pre-Checkride recent training & endorsement​ 
2h 61.313(a)(1)(iv)
 
3h 61.109(a)(4)
We can provide 61.93(e)12 and 61.107(b)(ix) per 61.412(c) endorsement.

Your Sport Pilot training applies, once you have your Sport Pilot Certificate, toward the Private Pilot requirements per 61.109(l).  We cannot control how other flight schools may consider your past experience when enrolling in their programs, however; some might need a bare minimum of training, while some might require you to go through their entire curriculum before signing the check ride endorsement.

This is all based on the current regulations, which you can (and should!) also review for yourself.  Misunderstanding and misinformation about Sport Pilot and Light Sport Aircraft abound, so make sure you always go back to the regulations or check with the FAA's AFS-800 General Aviation and Commercial Division and/or AFS-810 Training and Certification group if you have a question.
​
  • Home
  • About
  • Services
    • Managing Expectations
    • New-Student-Info >
      • Getting to Solo
      • Leaving the Pattern
      • Off for the Check Ride
      • Sport to Private
      • Sport Instruction For All
      • Rusty Pilots
      • Tailwheel Fun
      • Flying the Tail
      • International
  • Extras
  • GIFT Shop
  • Contact