FAR 61.307 — Sport Pilot Tests
FAR 61.307 explains the knowledge and practical tests required for a sport pilot certificate, plus the instructor endorsements you need before testing.
In Plain English
FAR 61.307 lists the two tests you must pass to earn a sport pilot certificate: a knowledge test and a practical test. It also tells you what instructor sign-offs you need before you're allowed to take each one.
- Knowledge test: You must pass a written test covering the aeronautical knowledge areas in § 61.309. Before sitting for it, you need a logbook endorsement from the authorized instructor who trained you (or who reviewed and evaluated your home-study course) certifying you're prepared.
- Practical test: You must pass a checkride covering the areas of operation in §§ 61.309 and 61.311. Before the checkride, you need a logbook endorsement from the authorized instructor who provided your flight training, certifying you meet the aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency requirements and are prepared for the test.
Why it matters: no endorsement, no test. Both endorsements are gatekeepers — examiners and testing centers will check your logbook, so make sure your CFI signs you off correctly before you show up.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.307§ 61.307 What tests do I have to take to obtain a sport pilot certificate?
To obtain a sport pilot certificate, you must pass the following tests:
(a)You must pass a knowledge test on the applicable aeronautical knowledge areas listed in § 61.309. Before you may take the knowledge test for a sport pilot certificate, you must receive a logbook endorsement from the authorized instructor who trained you or reviewed and evaluated your home-study course on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in § 61.309 certifying you are prepared for the test.
(b)You must pass a practical test on the applicable areas of operation listed in §§ 61.309 and 61.311. Before you may take the practical test for a sport pilot certificate, you must receive a logbook endorsement from the authorized instructor who provided you with flight training on the areas of operation specified in §§ 61.309 and 61.311 in preparation for the practical test. This endorsement certifies that you meet the applicable aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency requirements and are prepared for the practical test.
[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44869, July 27, 2004, as amended by Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35213, July 24, 2025]
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What tests are required to obtain a sport pilot certificate?
Per FAR 61.307, you must pass both a knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas in § 61.309 and a practical test on the areas of operation in §§ 61.309 and 61.311.
Q2What do you need before you can take the sport pilot knowledge test?
FAR 61.307(a) requires a logbook endorsement from the authorized instructor who trained you or reviewed your home-study course, certifying you are prepared for the knowledge test.
Q3What endorsement is required before the sport pilot practical test, and what does it certify?
FAR 61.307(b) requires a logbook endorsement from the authorized instructor who provided your flight training, certifying that you meet the aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency requirements and are prepared for the practical test.
Studying for a checkride?
§61.113 Privileges & Limits
Private pilot compensation, pro-rata sharing, and BasicMed limits
§61.57 Recent Flight Experience
90-day passenger, night, and instrument currency rules
§61.89 Student Pilot Limitations
Solo student limits: no passengers, no compensation, minimum visibility
§61.51 Pilot Logbooks
Logging training, aeronautical experience, and recency for certificates
§61.23 Medical Certificate Duration
First-, second-, and third-class medical requirement and validity periods
Instrument Rating Requirements
IFR eligibility and aeronautical experience
Related Sections in Part 61