FAR 61.315 — Sport Pilot Privileges
FAR 61.315 explains sport pilot certificate privileges and limits: passengers, airspace, altitude, visibility, night flight, and operating restrictions.
In Plain English
FAR 61.315 defines what you can and cannot do with a sport pilot certificate. As a sport pilot, you may act as pilot in command of an aircraft that meets § 61.316, and you may share operating expenses (fuel, oil, airport fees, rental) with your passenger as long as you pay at least half.
The rule then lists what you may not do, including:
- Carry passengers or property for compensation or hire, or fly in furtherance of a business
- Carry more than one passenger
- Fly at night (unless § 61.329 is met) or in Class A airspace
- Operate in Class B, C, or D airspace or at towered airports without the § 61.325 endorsement
- Fly outside the U.S. without prior authorization from that country
- Fly above 10,000 ft MSL or 2,000 ft AGL (whichever is higher)
- Fly when visibility is less than 3 SM or without visual reference to the surface
- Tow objects, fly multi-pilot aircraft, or operate aircraft requiring a type rating
These limits exist because the sport pilot certificate is designed for simple, light, day-VFR recreational flying. Knowing them keeps you legal and safe.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.315§ 61.315 What are the privileges and limits of my sport pilot certificate?
(a) If you hold a sport pilot certificate you may act as pilot in command of an aircraft that meets the provisions of § 61.316, except as specified in paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) You may share the operating expenses of a flight with a passenger, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenses, or aircraft rental fees. You must pay at least half the operating expenses of the flight.
(c) You may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft:
(1) That is carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire.
(2) For compensation or hire.
(3) In furtherance of a business.
(4) While carrying more than one passenger.
(5) At night, except as provided in § 61.329.
(6) In Class A airspace.
(7) In Class B, C, and D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, and to, from, through, or at an airport having an operational control tower unless you have met the requirements specified in § 61.325.
(8) Outside the United States, unless you have prior authorization from the country in which you seek to operate. Your sport pilot certificate carries the limit “Holder does not meet ICAO requirements.”
(9) To demonstrate the aircraft in flight to a prospective buyer if you are an aircraft salesperson.
(10) In a passenger-carrying airlift sponsored by a charitable organization.
(11) At an altitude of more than 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher.
(12) When the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles.
(13) Without visual reference to the surface.
(14) If the aircraft:
(i) Has a Vgreater than 87 knots CAS, unless you have met the requirements of § 61.327(b).
(ii) Has a Vless than or equal to 87 knots CAS, unless you have met the requirements of § 61.327(a) or have logged flight time as pilot in command of an airplane with a Vless than or equal to 87 knots CAS before April 2, 2010.
(15) Contrary to any operating limitation placed on the airworthiness certificate of the aircraft being flown.
(16) Contrary to any limit on your pilot certificate or airman medical certificate, or any other limit or endorsement from an authorized instructor.
(17) Contrary to any restriction or limitation on your U.S. driver's license or any restriction or limitation imposed by judicial or administrative order when using your driver's license to satisfy a requirement of this part.
(18) While towing any object.
(19) As a pilot flight crewmember on any aircraft for which more than one pilot is required by the type certificate of the aircraft or the regulations under which the flight is conducted.
(20) If the aircraft—
(i) Has retractable landing gear, unless you have met the requirements of § 61.331(a); or
(ii) Is an airplane with a manual controllable pitch propeller, unless you have met the requirements of § 61.331(b).
(21) That requires a pilot to hold a type rating in accordance with § 61.31(a).
[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44869, July 27, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 61-125, 75 FR 5221, Feb. 1, 2010; Amdt. 61-125A, 75 FR 15610, Mar. 30, 2010; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35215, July 24, 2025]
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You are flying VFR in Class E airspace at 8,500 feet MSL during the day. What are your minimum visibility and cloud clearance requirements?
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What are the visibility and altitude limits for a sport pilot?
Per FAR 61.315, a sport pilot may not fly when flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles, without visual reference to the surface, or above 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher.
Q2Can a sport pilot fly into Class B, C, or D airspace or to a towered airport?
Not without additional training. FAR 61.315(c)(7) prohibits sport pilots from operating in Class B, C, or D airspace or to/from a towered airport unless they have received the endorsement required by § 61.325.
Q3How many passengers can a sport pilot carry, and can you share expenses?
FAR 61.315 limits a sport pilot to carrying no more than one passenger, and allows sharing of operating expenses (fuel, oil, airport fees, or rental) provided the pilot pays at least half.
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