
Home Sport Pilot Shop Eligibility Requirements for Sport Pilot Medical Requirements for Sport Pilot Sport Pilot Privileges and Limitations Light Sport Aircraft Definition of LSA S-LSA / E-LSA Categories, Classes, and Sets Vintage Aircraft and Sport Pilots Production LSA Find a Sport Pilot Flight Instructor Links Training Materials	Privileges and Limitations of Sport Pilots The Sport Pilot program provides a faster, less expensive way for aspiring pilots to earn their wings. But the reduced training time required for sport pilots does necessitate certain restrictions that don't apply to holders of more advanced pilot certificates. Here's a simplified summary of the privileges and limitations of sport pilots. It's intended to provide general information for people considering pursuing a Sport Pilot license and should not be construed as authoritative. For complete, official information from the FAA, please click here. Aircraft that Sport Pilots may Operate A Sport Pilot may operate as Pilot in Command (PIC) of an aircraft that qualifies as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and which is in the same category, class, and set as an aircraft in which the pilot has been trained and endorsed. Sport Pilots can also fly conventionally registered (Standard Airworthiness Certificate) aircraft, amateur-built aircraft, or experimental aircraft whose weight, complexity, seating, and performance meet LSA requirements. (You can learn more about the different kinds of LSA and other eligible aircraft here.) Operating Privileges of Sport Pilots A Sport Pilot may act as Pilot in Command of an eligible LSA: During daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions and with visual reference to the ground Solo or while carrying a single passenger, who may share up to one-half of the operating expenses (fuel, landing fees, aircraft rental, etc.) for that particular trip. At altitudes up to 10,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL) Cross-country, anywhere in the United States In Class E and G Airspace (and in Class B, C, and D airspace, with appropriate training and a logbook endorsement) Limitations of Sport Pilots A Sport Pilot may not operate as Pilot in Command of an aircraft: When weather conditions are less than VFR minimums or when they don't have visual reference to the ground At night In Class A airspace For compensation or hire In furtherance of a business When demonstrating an aircraft to a potential buyer or lessee As a member of a volunteer airlift As a required crew member of an aircraft requiring more than one pilot Outside of the United States, unless authorized by the foreign aviation authority In addition, Sport Pilots who wish to fly an aircraft that is not in the same set as an aircraft for which they have been trained and endorsed must first obtain training and a logbook endorsement for the additional category, class, and/or set of aircraft, as appropriate.

Light Sport Aircraft

Privileges and Limitations of Sport Pilots

The Sport Pilot program provides a faster, less expensive way for aspiring pilots to earn their wings. But the reduced training time required for sport pilots does necessitate certain restrictions that don't apply to holders of more advanced pilot certificates.

Here's a simplified summary of the privileges and limitations of sport pilots. It's intended to provide general information for people considering pursuing a Sport Pilot license and should not be construed as authoritative. For complete, official information from the FAA, please click here.

Aircraft that Sport Pilots may Operate

A Sport Pilot may operate as Pilot in Command (PIC) of an aircraft that qualifies as a Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) and which is in the same category, class, and set as an aircraft in which the pilot has been trained and endorsed.

Sport Pilots can also fly conventionally registered (Standard Airworthiness Certificate) aircraft, amateur-built aircraft, or experimental aircraft whose weight, complexity, seating, and performance meet LSA requirements.

(You can learn more about the different kinds of LSA and other eligible aircraft here.)

Operating Privileges of Sport Pilots

A Sport Pilot may act as Pilot in Command of an eligible LSA:

During daylight hours under Visual Flight Rules (VFR) conditions and with visual reference to the ground
Solo or while carrying a single passenger, who may share up to one-half of the operating expenses (fuel, landing fees, aircraft rental, etc.) for that particular trip.
At altitudes up to 10,000 feet above mean sea level (MSL)
Cross-country, anywhere in the United States
In Class E and G Airspace (and in Class B, C, and D airspace, with appropriate training and a logbook endorsement)

Limitations of Sport Pilots

A Sport Pilot may not operate as Pilot in Command of an aircraft:

When weather conditions are less than VFR minimums or when they don't have visual reference to the ground
At night
In Class A airspace
For compensation or hire
In furtherance of a business
When demonstrating an aircraft to a potential buyer or lessee
As a member of a volunteer airlift
As a required crew member of an aircraft requiring more than one pilot
Outside of the United States, unless authorized by the foreign aviation authority

In addition, Sport Pilots who wish to fly an aircraft that is not in the same set as an aircraft for which they have been trained and endorsed must first obtain training and a logbook endorsement for the additional category, class, and/or set of aircraft, as appropriate.