Sport Pilot CFI Recordkeeping

FAR 61.423 — Sport Pilot CFI Recordkeeping

FAR 61.423 explains recordkeeping for flight instructors with a sport pilot rating: logbook signatures, endorsement records, and 3-year retention requirements.

In Plain English

FAR 61.423 spells out what a flight instructor with a sport pilot rating (CFI-SP) must document and keep on file. As a CFI-SP, you must sign the logbook of every student you give flight or ground training to, and you must keep a written record of certain endorsements you issue.

Specifically, you must record the name, date, and type of endorsement for each person you endorse for:

Solo flight privileges
A knowledge test, practical test, or proficiency check (note the kind of test and the result)
Proficiency to operate an additional category or class of aircraft
Operations in Class B, C, or D airspace, or at airports in or with an operational control tower
Airplanes with VH ≤ 87 KCAS and aircraft with VH > 87 KCAS
Proficiency to provide flight training in an additional category or class

When you endorse someone for an additional category/class privilege (to operate or to instruct), you have 10 days to complete, sign, and submit their FAA application and retain a copy.

All records must be kept for 3 years, in a logbook or separate document. Good recordkeeping protects both you and your students if the FAA ever asks how a privilege was earned.

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Regulation Text

14 CFR § 61.423

§ 61.423 What are the recordkeeping requirements for a flight instructor with a sport pilot rating? (a) As a flight instructor with a sport pilot rating you must: (1) Sign the logbook of each person to whom you have given flight training or ground training. (2) Keep a record of the name, date, and type of endorsement for: (i) Each person whose logbook you have endorsed for solo flight privileges. (ii) Each person for whom you have provided an endorsement for a knowledge test, practical test, or proficiency check, and the record must indicate the kind of test or check, and the results. (iii) Each person whose logbook you have endorsed as proficient to operate— (A) An additional category or class of aircraft; (B) 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; (C) An aircraft that is an airplane with a Vless than or equal to 87 knots CAS; and (D) An aircraft with a Vgreater than 87 knots CAS. (iv) Each person whose logbook you have endorsed as proficient to provide flight training in an additional category or class of aircraft. (b) Within 10 days after providing an endorsement for a person to operate or provide training in an additional category and class of aircraft you must— (1) Complete, sign, and submit to the FAA the application presented to you to obtain those privileges; and (2) Retain a copy of the form. (c) You must keep the records listed in this section for 3 years. You may keep these records in a logbook or a separate document. [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; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35218, July 24, 2025]

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Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1As a sport pilot flight instructor, what records are you required to keep when you issue an endorsement?

Per FAR 61.423, I must record the name, date, and type of endorsement for each solo, knowledge/practical/proficiency test endorsement (including kind and result), and proficiency endorsements for additional category/class, Class B/C/D and tower operations, and aircraft above or below 87 KCAS VH.

Q2How long must a sport pilot CFI retain endorsement records, and where can they be kept?

FAR 61.423(c) requires the records to be kept for 3 years, and they may be maintained in a logbook or in a separate document.

Q3After endorsing a pilot for an additional category and class privilege, what action must you take and how soon?

Under FAR 61.423(b), within 10 days I must complete, sign, and submit the applicant's FAA application for those privileges and retain a copy of the form for my records.

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