Becoming a Sport Pilot — Step by Step

Becoming a Sport Pilot

Sport Pilot lowers the barriers for participation in recreational aviation. Simply put, learning to fly for half the cost, in half the time, and all the fun becomes more widely accessible.

Makes flying simpler and easier to start AND finish: Sport pilot certificates can be obtained more quickly than private pilot certificates. Those expanded opportunities for sport pilots to complete their training make it a more streamlined entry point for those wanting to learn how to fly.

• Sport Pilot lowers the number of hours it takes to achieve a pilot’s certificate, thus reducing the cost and initial investment.
• The stepping-stone approach of allowing for additional privileges after obtaining a sport pilot certificate (through training and endorsements) reduces the initial length of training.

Lowers the cost to achieve your dream to fly - Expands the choices of lower-cost training, flight schools, and rental aircraft.

Increases accessibility of the aviation lifestyle –

• Quickest and least complicated way to earn a pilot’s certificate for those seeking to fly for recreation or personal transportation
• Broader availability of aircraft with more utility for sport pilots
• Eliminate the expense, uncertainty, and time of getting a medical certificate
• A pilot certificate is good for life – come back to flying at any time with a flight review by an instructor 

Eligibility

To become a sport pilot, you must be able to read, write, and understand English, and meet the minimum age requirements — you have to be at least 16 years old to solo as a student pilot (14 for gliders), and at least 17 years old to get your sport pilot certificate (16 for gliders).

Free First Flight

If you haven't already, contact your local EAA chapter and take your free introductory flight, giving you a look at the freedom and fun of personal aviation.

Join a Chapter

In addition to helping arrange your first flight, not to mention the fun and camaraderie of spending time with people who love to fly, EAA chapters are great sources of advice and mentorship that can help you with every step of your journey toward becoming a pilot. You can find the chapters nearest you here.

Finances

EAA can help offset the cost of obtaining a sport pilot certificate. One of the best ways you can get affordable access to an airplane is by joining — or even starting — a flying club.

EAA also offers scholarships to youths pursuing flight training to help with expenses, both directly and through your local EAA chapter.

In addition, while most people learning to fly initially rent an airplane while training, in some cases, buying or even building an airplane can be a cost-effective way to get started.

Finding a Flight Instructor and a Location for Flight Training

Depending on the availability at your airport, you may have several options for accessing flight training. Once again, members of a nearby EAA chapter can help you learn what's available in your area and offer advice based on their experiences. You will be working directly with a flight instructor who is a highly trained professional who will guide you safely through your flight training experience. The most important thing for you to remember is that you are in charge of your training, and it’s very important that you have a healthy and trusting relationship with the person teaching you to fly.

Here's a list of things to consider when choosing a flight instructor.

In addition, EAA's own Sport Pilot Academy offers three-week full-immersion programs at our headquarters in Oshkosh throughout the year.

Paperwork

Before you can fly solo (yes, you will at some point fly by yourself) as part of your flight training, you will need to obtain a student pilot certificate from the FAA. This involves completing an application, and your instructor will guide you through the process.

Medical Exam

Unlike other pilot certificates, sport pilots do not need to obtain an FAA medical certificate to learn to fly. As long as you have a valid U.S. driver's license, and — this is important — if you have previously applied for an FAA medical certificate, the most recent application was successful, you're good to go.  If you do not have a driver’s license and would still like to fly as a sport pilot, you can obtain an FAA medical certificate. After obtaining your sport pilot certificate, if you wish to learn to fly at night, you will need to obtain a medical certificate. EAA encourages you to discuss obtaining a medical certificate with your flight instructor before applying.

Studying and Training

Now it's time to start learning and flying. Your training will include time both in the airplane and on the ground.  Be ready, your instructor will have you take the controls on your very first lesson. You will also need to learn about regulations, aerodynamics, airspace, aircraft systems, airport operations, navigation, and airspace to safely operate as a sport pilot. You may have access to a formal “ground school” during which you will learn in a traditional classroom setting, or you may prefer to self-study and learn at your own pace, reading books and taking online courses from companies like Sporty's. (Note: Sporty's online ground school course is free for student members of EAA.)

Meanwhile, you will also be working with your instructor in the airplane. During your first few hours, you will learn and practice how to preflight, take off, and land the airplane. Also, you will learn the basics of controlling the airplane in flight, including climbs, descents, and turns. Your instructor will demonstrate and teach these maneuvers all while ensuring the flights are safe and enjoyable.

FAA Knowledge (or Written) Test

Once you've finished your ground school, whether independently or as part of a class, it's time to take the FAA Knowledge test which is commonly referred to as a written test. An endorsement from your instructor or the course provider and a government-issued photo ID are required, and the test must be taken by appointment at an FAA-approved testing facility. You will work with your flight instructor to determine when it is time to take the exam, but our recommendation is that sooner is better.

First Solo

This will be one of the most memorable days of your life, the first time you fly an airplane entirely by yourself. When you have demonstrated that you can control the aircraft, your instructor feels you are ready, and have received the appropriate training, you will fly the airplane solo. Yes, this means without your instructor. This is a major milestone worth celebrating!

Additional Instruction

Once you've soloed, the rest of your training will be a mix of flying by yourself and with your instructor as you continue to learn things like navigation and cross-country flying, emergency procedures, practicing maneuvers, and more.

The minimum requirements for becoming a sport pilot in an airplane are 20 hours of total flight time, including 15 hours of dual instruction, and 5 hours of solo flight time. Don’t be surprised or discouraged if your training takes longer than this. The number of hours you need will depend on several factors, including your learning style, the frequency of your flights, and weather conditions. Just remember to enjoy the challenge and experience.

FAA Practical Test (Checkride)

You've passed the written test, built up the required flying time, and your instructor says you're ready. This is where it all comes together. On the day of your practical test, called a checkride, you will demonstrate knowledge and flying ability with an FAA designated examiner. This will include an oral examination where you'll be quizzed extensively on your knowledge of everything from aircraft systems to rules and regulations. Once you pass that portion, you'll demonstrate that you can safely control the airplane in all phases of flight. When both are completed successfully, the examiner will issue you your temporary sport pilot certificate.

Once you earn your sport pilot certificate, the opportunities are limitless. From lunchtime "$100 hamburger" trips to weekend getaways or just a hop around the patch at sunset just because the sky looks so nice, becoming a pilot is one of the most rewarding things you'll ever accomplish.

What Can a Sport Pilot Do and Not Do, and What’s Next

As a sport pilot, you are able to fly most four-seat aircraft while carrying one passenger. Sport pilots can also fly more complex aircraft, including those with retractable gear and controllable propellers, after receiving additional training and endorsements from your instructor.

You will be able to fly during the day and in good weather conditions. You can add night flying with additional training and an endorsement from your instructor. Night flying also requires that you obtain an FAA medical certificate.

Additionally, you can learn to fly in busier airspace that requires communication with air traffic control, usually at larger and more complex airports. This also requires additional training and an endorsement from an instructor.

Sport pilots can also continue their training and become private pilots. This enables you to fly larger and more complex aircraft and carry more passengers.

Safety

Regardless of the pilot certificate you pursue, or the method by which you fulfill medical requirements, pilots are trained to and must demonstrate they can fly to a standard set by the FAA as acceptable. Additionally, all pilots, regardless of certificate or medical level, have the regulatory and moral obligation to evaluate themselves to determine if they are safe to fly before every flight. It is important to understand that safety is a mindset as well as a mental approach to flying, not a certificate in your pocket.

What’s Next...

Your sport pilot certificate does not expire. It is yours until you surrender it. As part of your training, you will learn the requirements to stay current and to be able to carry a passenger. All pilots are required to complete a flight review, with an instructor, within the previous 24 months before they fly. Even if you do not fly for a few years, you can return to flying by completing the flight review with an instructor.

The sport pilot certificate will introduce you to the fun and exciting world of general aviation. You will have the opportunity to meet many new and amazing people, see many new places, and have exciting experiences. One experience we highly recommend is a trip to EAA AirVenture, held each summer in Oshkosh, Wisconsin.