FAR 61.413 — Sport Pilot CFI Privileges
FAR 61.413 explains the privileges of a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating, including training, endorsements, and testing authority.
In Plain English
FAR 61.413 spells out what you can do as a holder of a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating (often called a CFI-S). Within the limits of your certificate and rating, you may provide ground and flight training, conduct certain checking events, and issue endorsements for:
- A student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate
- A sport pilot certificate or sport pilot privileges
- A CFI certificate with a sport pilot rating
- A powered parachute or weight-shift-control rating
- Flight reviews and skill-maintenance training for sport pilots
- Practical tests and knowledge tests for sport pilot, private pilot (powered parachute or weight-shift-control), and CFI-S certificates
- Proficiency checks for additional category/class privileges
A CFI-S may also accept and process applications for student pilot certificates (and certain remote pilot certificates), verify the applicant's identity, and confirm § 61.83 eligibility. You may not conduct operations requiring an air carrier or operating certificate. Per paragraph (d), CFI-S instructors may receive compensation for flight training given under subpart K, despite the general sport pilot compensation limits in § 61.315.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.413§ 61.413 What are the privileges of my flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating?
(a) If you hold a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating, you are authorized, within the limits of your certificate and rating, to conduct ground training, flight training, certain checking events, and to issue endorsements related to:
(1) A student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate;
(2) A sport pilot certificate;
(3) A flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating;
(4) A powered parachute or weight-shift-control aircraft rating;
(5) Sport pilot privileges;
(6) A flight review or operating privilege for a sport pilot, or training to maintain or improve the skills of a sport pilot;
(7) A practical test for a sport pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate with a powered parachute or weight-shift-control aircraft rating or a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating;
(8) A knowledge test for a sport pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate with a powered parachute or weight-shift-control aircraft rating or a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating; and
(9) A proficiency check for an additional category or class privilege for a sport pilot certificate or a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating.
(b) A person who holds a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating is authorized, in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, to:
(1) Accept an application for a student pilot certificate or, for an applicant who holds a pilot certificate (other than a student pilot certificate) issued under part 61 of this chapter and meets the flight review requirements specified in § 61.56, a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating;
(2) Verify the identity of the applicant; and
(3) Verify that an applicant for a student pilot certificate meets the eligibility requirements in § 61.83.
(c) The privileges authorized in this section do not permit a person who holds a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating to conduct operations that would otherwise require an air carrier or operating certificate or specific authorization from the Administrator.
(d) Notwithstanding § 61.315(c)(2) and (3), a person who holds a flight instructor certificate issued under this subpart K of this part may receive compensation for providing flight training in accordance with this subpart.
[Docket FAA-2010-1127, Amdt. 61-135, 81 FR 1307, Jan. 12, 2016, as amended by Docket FAA-2015-0150, Amdt. 61-137, 81 FR 42208, June 28, 2016; Docket FAA-2023-1351; Amdt. 61-156, 89 FR 80340, Oct. 2, 2024; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35216, July 24, 2025]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1As a CFI with a sport pilot rating, what kinds of training and endorsements are you authorized to provide?
Per FAR 61.413(a), I can provide ground and flight training and endorsements related to student and sport pilot certificates, CFI-S certificates, powered parachute and weight-shift-control ratings, sport pilot privileges, flight reviews, practical and knowledge tests for those certificates, and proficiency checks for added category/class privileges.
Q2Can a sport pilot flight instructor accept compensation for flight training?
Yes. FAR 61.413(d) specifically allows a CFI-S to receive compensation for flight training given under subpart K, notwithstanding the compensation limits that otherwise apply to sport pilots under § 61.315(c)(2) and (3).
Q3What administrative tasks can a CFI-S perform regarding student pilot certificate applications?
Under FAR 61.413(b), a CFI-S may accept the application, verify the applicant's identity, and confirm that the applicant meets the student pilot eligibility requirements of § 61.83, in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator.
Studying for a checkride?
Related Sections in Part 61