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!
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.
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.