If You Are Already A Certificated Pilot But Do Not Hold A Medical Certificate, What Does It Take To Become A Sport Pilot?

If you already hold a pilot certificate, it’s really pretty simple to exercise sport pilot privileges. No testing is involved, you don’t have to change your pilot certificate, and no special sport pilot logbook endorsements are required. It’s almost too easy.

First, we’ll assume you can find your existing pilot certificate. It’s easy to get a copy of your certificate if you can’t locate it, and you’ll also have to have a valid state driver’s license. Remember, the driver’s license now acts as the medical and you must observe any limitations on the license.

The next step is to complete a flight review as required in FAR 61.56. The flight review can be accomplished in any aircraft for which you are rated; it does not have to be in a sport pilot eligible aircraft.

The rules state that a flight review must be no less than one hour of ground training and one hour of flight training. It is not require that any of this training be related to sport pilot subjects, but if the flight instructor is aware you intend to practice sport pilot privileges, it is certainly appropriate to receive training related to sport pilot privileges and limitations that are found in FAR 61.315.

That’s it, you are now legal to exercise sport pilot privileges in any aircraft that meets the definition of a light sport aircraft for the category/class listed on your pilot certificate. The aircraft itself does not have to be certificated as a light sport aircraft. Even though it would certainly be appropriate and highly recommended to receive training in the light sport aircraft, it is not required by the regulations.

It’s also required that you meet the recency of experience requirements before carrying passengers. This is the rule that applies to any pilot and mandates you to have made 3 takeoff and landings within the previous 90 days before being allowed to carry a passenger. If you happen to be flying a taildragger, these landings must be to a full stop.

As always, common sense and good aeronautical decision-making skills come into play when the regulations let you do it the easy way.

(Image from file: The Aeronca Champ could be perfect for a sport pilot retread)

FMI: www.faa.gov