The Rules For Sport Pilots Actually Require Them To Fly In Safer Weather Conditions Than A Private Pilot

If you line up 10 sport pilots, or higher-rated pilots operating under sport pilot privileges and ask, “What are the minimum weather conditions you may fly in?” odds are that most of them will answer, “Sport pilots are only allowed to fly in VFR (visual flight rule) conditions.” If that’s the answer we get, the next question should be; “Are you sure?”

The best way to be sure is to look it up in the FARs. Part 61.315 states that sport pilots may not fly when the flight or surface visibility is less than three statute miles. Okay, isn’t three statute miles the same as VFR? The short answer is, not always. In Class G airspace (this is called uncontrolled airspace), below 10,000 feet above sea level, the minimum visibility for VFR flight is only one statute mile. Pilots operating under pilot privileges higher than sport pilot (private, commercial etc.) may fly VFR in Class G airspace with one mile visibility…sport pilots may not.

Another caveat for sport pilots is the use of a procedure called, “Special VFR.” Pilots operating under pilot privileges higher than sport pilot may fly into Class C and D airspace when the visibility is less than the VFR-required 3 statute miles by receiving a special VFR clearance. With this clearance, the visibility requirement drops to one statute mile. Once again, sport pilots must always have a visibility of three statute miles, so special VFR is a no-no for sport pilots.

Sport pilots are trained for simpler flight operations and the sport pilot limitations reflect this. It’s a case of the rules matching the mission. So, if you are operating as a sport pilot and are planning a flight with your flying pals from Class G airspace, your non sport pilot buddies can launch with only one statute mile visibility but, as a sport pilot, you can’t.

Look at it this way, you have to stay home and/or wait for better visibility. It could be argued that the sport pilot is better off for this rule; I hope your flying pals make it to their destination okay! Their departure in low visibility might be legal, but low visibility and “scud running” is a key contributor to accidents.

If you are exercising sport pilot privileges, no matter what pilot certificate you hold, you must follow sport pilot weather rules.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.faa.gov