FAR 61.407 — Sport Pilot CFI Knowledge
FAR 61.407 outlines the aeronautical knowledge and fundamentals of instruction training needed to apply for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating.
In Plain English
FAR 61.407 spells out the ground training you need before applying for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating (CFI-S). There are two pieces:
- Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) — ground training from an authorized instructor covering:
- The learning process
- Elements of effective teaching
- Student evaluation and testing
- Course development
- Lesson planning
- Classroom training techniques
- Sport pilot aeronautical knowledge areas for the specific category and class of aircraft in which you want to instruct.
You can skip the FOI training (paragraph (a)) if you already:
- Hold a flight or ground instructor certificate issued under Part 61,
- Hold a teacher's certificate from a State, county, city, or municipality, or
- Are employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.
Why it matters: a CFI's job is to teach, so the FAA wants proof you understand both how to teach and what a sport pilot must know in the aircraft you'll be instructing in.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.407§ 61.407 What aeronautical knowledge must I have to apply for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating?
(a) Except as specified in paragraph (c) of this section you must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor on the fundamentals of instruction that includes:
(1) The learning process.
(2) Elements of effective teaching.
(3) Student evaluation and testing.
(4) Course development.
(5) Lesson planning.
(6) Classroom training techniques.
(b) You must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor on the aeronautical knowledge areas applicable to a sport pilot certificate for the aircraft category and class in which you seek flight instructor privileges.
(c) You do not have to meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section if you—
(1) Hold a flight instructor certificate or ground instructor certificate issued under this part;
(2) Hold a teacher's certificate issued by a State, county, city, or municipality; or
(3) Are employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.
[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44875, July 27, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42562, Aug. 21, 2009]
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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What ground training topics must you complete before applying for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating?
Per FAR 61.407, you must log ground training on the fundamentals of instruction — the learning process, elements of effective teaching, student evaluation and testing, course development, lesson planning, and classroom techniques — plus the sport pilot aeronautical knowledge areas for the category and class you'll instruct in.
Q2Are there any situations where you don't have to complete the fundamentals of instruction training?
Yes. FAR 61.407(c) waives the FOI requirement if you already hold a Part 61 flight or ground instructor certificate, hold a State/county/city/municipal teacher's certificate, or are employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.
Q3If you want to instruct sport pilots in a different category or class of aircraft, what knowledge training is required?
Under FAR 61.407(b), you must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor on the aeronautical knowledge areas applicable to a sport pilot certificate for that specific aircraft category and class.
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