FAR 61.313 — Sport Pilot Experience Requirements

§ 61.313 What aeronautical experience must I have to apply for a sport pilot certificate? (a)Use the following table to determine the aeronautical experience you must have to apply for a sport pilot certificate: (b)(1) Sport pilot applicants can use up to 2.5 hours of training credit in a qualified flight simulation training device and aviation training device representing the appropriate category and class of aircraft to meet the experience requirements of this part. (2) The training must be provided by an authorized instructor who possesses the appropriate aircraft rating or privilege sought by the applicant. [Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35213, July 24, 2025] (i) 2 hours of cross-country flight training;(ii) 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport;(iii) One solo cross-country flight of at least 50 nautical miles total distance, with a full-stop landing at a minimum of two points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and(iv) 2 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor on those areas of operation specified in § 61.311 in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test. 30 hours of helicopter flight time, including at least 15 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in a helicopter, and at least 5 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.311, as appropriate, (9) Rotorcraft category and helicopter class, only if that helicopter is certificated under § 21.190 and obtains the simplified flight controls designation, (i) 2 hours of cross-country flight training;(ii) 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport;(iii) One solo cross-country flight of at least 50 nautical miles total distance, with a full-stop landing at a minimum of two points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 25 nautical miles between takeoff and landing locations; and(iv) 2 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor on those areas of operation specified in § 61.311 in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test. 20 hours of flight time, including 15 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in a weight-shift-control aircraft and at least 5 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.311, (8) Weight-shift-control aircraft category land or sea class privileges, (i) 1 hour of cross-country flight training;(ii) 20 takeoffs and landings to a full stop in a powered parachute with each landing involving flight in the traffic pattern at an airport;(iii) 10 solo takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport;(iv) One solo flight with a landing at a different airport and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 10 nautical miles between takeoff and landing locations; and(v) 1 hour of flight training with an authorized instructor on those areas of operation specified in § 61.311 in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test. 12 hours of flight time in a powered parachute, including 10 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in a powered parachute, and at least 2 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.311, (7) Powered parachute category land or sea class privileges, (i) 2 hours of cross-country flight training; and(ii) 1 hour of flight training with an authorized instructor on those areas of operation specified in § 61.311 in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test. 7 hours of flight time in a balloon, including three flights with an authorized instructor and one flight performing the duties of pilot in command in a balloon with an authorized instructor in the areas of operation listed in § 61.311, (6) Lighter-than-air category and balloon class privileges, (i) 2 hours of cross-country flight training;(ii) Three takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport;(iii) One cross-country flight of at least 25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and(iv) 2 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor on those areas of operation specified in § 61.311 in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test. 20 hours of flight time, including 15 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in an airship and at least 3 hours performing the duties of pilot in command in an airship with an authorized instructor in the areas of operation listed in § 61.311, (5) Lighter-than-air category and airship class privileges, (i) 2 hours of cross-country flight training;(ii) 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport;(iii) One solo cross-country flight of at least 50 nautical miles total distance, with a full-stop landing at a minimum of two points, and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and(iv) 2 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor on those areas of operation specified in § 61.311 in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test. 20 hours of flight time, including 15 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in a gyroplane and at least 5 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.311, (4) Rotorcraft category and gyroplane class privileges, (i) Three solo launches and landings; and(ii) at least 3 training flights with an authorized instructor on those areas of operation specified in § 61.311 in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test. 3 hours of flight time in a glider, including five flights in a glider while receiving flight training from an authorized instructor and at least 1 hour of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.311, (3) Glider category privileges, and you have logged at least 20 hours of flight time in a heavier-than-air aircraft, (i) Five solo launches and landings; and(ii) at least 3 training flights with an authorized instructor on those areas of operation specified in § 61.311 in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test. 10 hours of flight time in a glider, including 10 flights in a glider receiving flight training from an authorized instructor and at least 2 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.311, (2) Glider category privileges, and you have not logged at least 20 hours of flight time in a heavier-than-air aircraft, (i) 2 hours of cross-country flight training;(ii) 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport;(iii) One solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles total distance, with a full-stop landing at a minimum of two points and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations; and(iv) 2 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor on those areas of operation specified in § 61.311 in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test. 20 hours of flight time, including at least 15 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in a single-engine airplane and at least 5 hours of solo flight training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.311, (1) Airplane category and single-engine land or sea class privileges, Which must include at least . . . Then you must log at least . . . If you are applying for a sport pilot certificate with . . .