FAR 61.311 — Sport Pilot Flight Proficiency
FAR 61.311 lists the areas of operation a sport pilot applicant must train and log with an authorized instructor, from preflight to post-flight procedures.
In Plain English
FAR 61.311 lists the areas of operation you must receive and log both ground and flight training in—from an authorized instructor—before you can apply for a sport pilot certificate. The exact list applies to the category and class you're pursuing (airplane, glider, gyroplane, helicopter, airship, balloon, powered parachute, or weight-shift-control).
You must be trained in:
- Preflight preparation
- Preflight procedures
- Airport, heliport, seaplane base, and gliderport operations (as applicable)
- Hovering maneuvers (helicopters only)
- Takeoffs (or launches), landings, and go-arounds
- Performance maneuvers (and performance speeds for gliders)
- Ground reference maneuvers (not for gliders, helicopters, or balloons)
- Soaring techniques (gliders only)
- Navigation
- Slow flight (not for lighter-than-air, helicopters, or powered parachutes)
- Stalls (not for lighter-than-air, gyroplanes, helicopters, or powered parachutes)
- Emergency operations
- Post-flight procedures
Operationally, this is the syllabus your CFI builds your training around—and the framework the examiner uses on your practical test.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.311§ 61.311 What flight proficiency requirements must I meet to apply for a sport pilot certificate?
To apply for a sport pilot certificate, you must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the following areas of operation, as appropriate, for airplane single-engine land or sea, glider, gyroplane, helicopter, airship, balloon, powered parachute land or sea, weight-shift-control aircraft land or sea privileges:
(a) Preflight preparation.
(b) Preflight procedures.
(c) Airport, heliport, seaplane base, and gliderport operations, as applicable.
(d) Hovering maneuvers (applicable only to helicopters).
(e) Takeoffs (or launches), landings, and go-arounds.
(f) Performance maneuvers and, for gliders, performance speeds.
(g) Ground reference maneuvers (not applicable to gliders, helicopters, and balloons).
(h) Soaring techniques (applicable only to gliders).
(i) Navigation.
(j) Slow flight (not applicable to lighter-than-air aircraft, helicopters, and powered parachutes).
(k) Stalls (not applicable to lighter-than-air aircraft, gyroplanes, helicopters, and powered parachutes).
(l) Emergency operations.
(m) Post-flight procedures.
[Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35213, July 24, 2025]
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1Who must provide and document the ground and flight training required for a sport pilot certificate?
Per FAR 61.311, the training must be received and logged from an authorized instructor in the areas of operation appropriate to the category and class of aircraft you're seeking privileges in.
Q2Are stalls and slow flight required training for every sport pilot applicant?
No. Under FAR 61.311, slow flight is not required for lighter-than-air aircraft, helicopters, or powered parachutes, and stalls are not required for lighter-than-air aircraft, gyroplanes, helicopters, or powered parachutes.
Q3Name several areas of operation you had to train in to apply for your sport pilot certificate.
FAR 61.311 requires training in preflight preparation and procedures, airport operations, takeoffs/landings/go-arounds, performance and ground reference maneuvers, navigation, slow flight, stalls, emergency operations, and post-flight procedures, as applicable to the aircraft.
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