FAR 61.409 — Sport Pilot CFI Proficiency
FAR 61.409 lists the areas of operation you must train on with an authorized instructor to qualify for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating.
In Plain English
FAR 61.409 spells out the areas of operation you must receive and log ground and flight training on — from an authorized instructor — before you can apply for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating. Training must be tailored to the aircraft category and class in which you want to teach.
The required areas of operation are:
- Technical subject areas
- Preflight preparation
- Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight
- Preflight procedures
- Airport, heliport, seaplane base, and gliderport operations, as applicable
- Hovering maneuvers (helicopters only)
- Takeoffs (or launches), landings, and go-arounds
- Fundamentals of flight
- Performance maneuvers (and performance speeds for gliders)
- Ground reference maneuvers (except gliders, helicopters, lighter-than-air)
- Soaring techniques (gliders only)
- Slow flight (not applicable to lighter-than-air, helicopters, powered parachutes)
- Stalls (not applicable to lighter-than-air, powered parachutes, helicopters, gyroplanes)
- Spins (airplanes and gliders)
- Emergency operations
- Tumble entry and avoidance (weight-shift-control)
- Special operations (helicopter only)
- Post-flight procedures
This matters because, as a sport pilot CFI applicant, your checkride and logbook endorsements must reflect each applicable area for your category and class.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.409§ 61.409 What flight proficiency requirements must I meet to apply for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating?
You must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the following areas of operation for the aircraft category and class in which you seek flight instructor privileges:
(a) Technical subject areas.
(b) Preflight preparation.
(c) Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight.
(d) Preflight procedures.
(e) Airport, heliport, seaplane base, and gliderport operations, as applicable.
(f) Hovering maneuvers (applicable only to helicopters).
(g) Takeoffs (or launches), landings, and go-arounds.
(h) Fundamentals of flight.
(i) Performance maneuvers and, for gliders, performance speeds.
(j) Ground reference maneuvers (except for gliders, helicopters, and lighter-than-air).
(k) Soaring techniques (gliders only).
(l) Slow flight (not applicable to lighter-than-air, helicopters, and powered parachutes).
(m) Stalls (not applicable to lighter-than-air, powered parachutes, helicopters, and gyroplanes).
(n) Spins (applicable to airplanes and gliders).
(o) Emergency operations.
(p) Tumble entry and avoidance techniques (applicable to weight-shift-control aircraft).
(q) Special operations (helicopter only).
(r) Post-flight procedures.
[Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35216, July 24, 2025]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What flight proficiency areas must you train on to apply for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating?
Per FAR 61.409, you must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor in the listed areas of operation — including technical subjects, preflight preparation and procedures, takeoffs and landings, fundamentals of flight, performance and ground reference maneuvers, slow flight, stalls, spins, emergency operations, and post-flight procedures — applicable to the aircraft category and class sought.
Q2Are spin and stall training required for every sport pilot CFI applicant?
No. Under FAR 61.409, spins apply only to airplanes and gliders, and stalls do not apply to lighter-than-air, powered parachutes, helicopters, or gyroplanes. The required areas depend on the category and class you're seeking.
Q3Who must provide the ground and flight training required by FAR 61.409, and what determines the scope of that training?
FAR 61.409 requires the training be received and logged from an authorized instructor, and the scope is determined by the aircraft category and class in which the applicant seeks flight instructor privileges.
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Related Sections in Part 61