FAR 61.412 — Sport Pilot CFI Instrument Training
FAR 61.412 sets the requirements for a sport pilot flight instructor to provide instrument-reference training for student pilot solo cross-country endorsements.
In Plain English
FAR 61.412 lays out what a flight instructor with a sport pilot rating must do before they can teach a student pilot to control and maneuver an airplane solely by reference to the flight instruments. This training is the kind required under § 61.93(e)(12) so a sport pilot student can receive a solo cross-country endorsement under § 61.93(c)(1).
To provide this training, the sport pilot CFI must:
- Hold the endorsement required by § 61.327(b) (the endorsement to operate an airplane with a V<sub>H</sub> greater than 87 knots CAS).
- Receive and log at least 1 hour of ground training and 3 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor, in an airplane (or simulator/FTD/ATD that replicates one) with a V<sub>H</sub> greater than 87 knots CAS.
- Obtain a one-time logbook endorsement from a Subpart H authorized instructor certifying proficiency in teaching instrument-reference flight. The training must cover straight and level flight, turns, climbs, descents, use of radio navigation aids, and ATC directives.
This matters because sport pilot students still need basic instrument skills to safely handle inadvertent loss of visual reference on cross-countries — and only properly endorsed sport pilot CFIs may deliver that training.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.412To provide flight training under § 61.93(e)(12) on control and maneuvering an airplane solely by reference to the flight instruments for the purpose of issuing a solo cross-country endorsement under § 61.93(c)(1) to a student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate, a flight instructor with a sport pilot rating must:
(a) Hold an endorsement required by § 61.327(b);
(b) Receive and log a minimum of 1 hour of ground training and 3 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in an airplane with a Vgreater than 87 knots CAS or in a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device that replicates an airplane with a Vgreater than 87 knots CAS; and
(c) Receive a one-time endorsement in his or her logbook from an instructor authorized under subpart H of this part who certifies that the person is proficient in providing training on control and maneuvering solely by reference to the flight instruments in an airplane with a Vgreater than 87 knots CAS. This flight training must include straight and level flight, turns, descents, climbs, use of radio navigation aids, and ATC directives.
[Amdt. 61-142, 83 FR 30280, June 27, 2018]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What must a sport pilot flight instructor do before providing instrument-reference training to a student pilot seeking a solo cross-country endorsement?
Per FAR 61.412, the instructor must hold the § 61.327(b) endorsement, log at least 1 hour of ground and 3 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in a qualifying airplane or simulator, and receive a one-time logbook endorsement certifying proficiency in teaching instrument-reference flight.
Q2What specific maneuvers and tasks must be covered in the training a sport pilot CFI receives under FAR 61.412?
FAR 61.412(c) requires the training to include straight and level flight, turns, climbs, descents, use of radio navigation aids, and ATC directives, all flown solely by reference to the flight instruments.
Q3In what type of aircraft or training device must the required ground and flight training be conducted?
FAR 61.412(b) requires the 1 hour of ground and 3 hours of flight training to be conducted in an airplane with a V<sub>H</sub> greater than 87 knots CAS, or in a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device that replicates such an airplane.
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Related Sections in Part 61