FAR 61.415 — Sport Pilot Instructor Limits

§ 61.415 What are the limits of a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating? If you hold a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating, you may only provide flight training in a light-sport aircraft and are subject to the following limits: (a) You may not provide ground or flight training in any aircraft for which you do not hold: (1) A sport pilot certificate with applicable category and class privileges or a pilot certificate with the applicable category and class rating; and (2) Applicable category and class privileges for your flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating. (b) You may not provide ground or flight training for a private pilot certificate with a powered parachute or weight-shift-control aircraft rating unless you hold: (1) At least a private pilot certificate with the applicable category and class rating; and (2) Applicable category and class privileges for your flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating. (c) You may not conduct more than 8 hours of flight training in any 24-consecutive-hour period. (d) You may not endorse a: (1) Student pilot's logbook for solo flight privileges, unless you have— (i) Given that student the flight training required for solo flight privileges required by this part; and (ii) Determined that the student is prepared to conduct the flight safely under known circumstances, subject to any limitations listed in the student's logbook that you consider necessary for the safety of the flight. (2) Student pilot's logbook for a solo cross-country flight, unless you have determined the student's flight preparation, planning, equipment, and proposed procedures are adequate for the proposed flight under the existing conditions and within any limitations listed in the logbook that you consider necessary for the safety of the flight. (3) Student pilot's logbook for solo flight in Class B, C, and D airspace areas, at an airport within Class B, C, or D airspace and to from, through or on an airport having an operational control tower, unless you have— (i) Given that student ground and flight training in that airspace or at that airport; and (ii) Determined that the student is proficient to operate the aircraft safely. (4) Logbook of a pilot for a flight review, unless you have conducted a review of that pilot in accordance with the requirements of § 61.56. (e) You may not provide training to operate an aircraft 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 the endorsement specified in § 61.325, or are otherwise authorized to conduct operations in this airspace and at these airports. (f) You may not provide training in an aircraft that is an airplane with a Vless than or equal to 87 knots CAS unless you have the endorsement specified in § 61.327 (a), or are otherwise authorized to operate that light-sport aircraft. (g) You may not provide training in an aircraft with a Vgreater than 87 knots CAS unless you have the endorsement specified in § 61.327 (b), or are otherwise authorized to operate that light-sport aircraft. (h) You may not provide training on the control and maneuvering of an aircraft solely by reference to the instruments in a light sport airplane with a Vgreater than 87 knots CAS unless you meet the requirements in § 61.412. (i) You must perform all training in an aircraft that complies with the requirements of § 91.109 of this chapter. (j) If you provide flight training for a certificate, rating or privilege, you must provide that flight training in an aircraft that meets the following: (1) The aircraft must have at least two pilot stations and be of the same category and class appropriate to the certificate, rating or privilege sought. (2) For single place aircraft, pre-solo flight training must be provided in an aircraft that has two pilot stations and is of the same category and class appropriate to the certificate, rating, or privilege sought. (k) You cannot carry more than one person. (l) You may not provide training in an airplane with a manual controllable pitch propeller or an aircraft with a retractable landing gear unless you have received training and an instructor endorsement validating proficiency in the safe operation of these types of aircraft. (m) You may not provide training in an aircraft that has the simplified flight controls designation unless you have received the model-specific flight training and an endorsement from an authorized instructor validating proficiency in the safe operation of these aircraft. (n) You may not provide training in an aircraft at night unless you have completed the night experience and instructor endorsement requirements listed in § 61.329 for the category and class you seek to provide training in. Editorial Note: At 90 FR 35216, July 24, 2025, and corrected at 90 FR 40042, Aug. 18, 2025, § 61.415 was amended in part by adding an introductory paragraph; however, the paragraph could not be added because it already exists. [Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44875, July 27, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 61-125, 75 FR 5222, Feb. 1, 2010; Amdt. 61-125A, 75 FR 15610, Mar. 30, 2010; Docket FAA-2010-1127, Amdt. 61-135, 81 FR 1307, Jan. 12, 2016; Amdt. 61-142, 83 FR 30280, June 27, 2018; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35216, 35218, July 24, 2025]