SPORT PILOT CERTIFICATE
If you're looking for a Sport Pilot Certificate, you've come to the right place!
You may have already discovered that most flight schools simply are not equipped to handle Sport Pilot training. In many cases, the instructors are not familiar with the requirements of the Sport Pilot certificate. Also, Light Sport aircraft are not available for renting or training. Even locating a Sport Pilot-designated examiner can be a hassle. After you get your Sport Pilot certificate, then what? Finding a good place to purchase a light sport aircraft is nearly impossible.
Here at the Montgomery County Flight Academy, we specialize in Sport Pilot training. We also sell Light Sport aircraft. In particular, we currently offer a Kappa KP-5 Advanced Sport Aircraft for training, rental, and purchase. We are the official authorized northeast distributor for the hot new Kappa KP-5 aircraft by Jihlavan Aircraft.
Why earn a Sport Certificate?
- Less training requirements than a Private Pilot Certificate
- Generally cheaper than training for a Private Pilot Certificate
- No need for an FAA medical exam (but you must be in good health)
- Certificate is good if you intend to fly only light airplanes and carry only one passenger
Note: Pilot training costs are never guaranteed, as they depend on a number of factors. If you intend to upgrade your Sport Pilot Certificate later on, then it might make sense to skip right to the Private Pilot Certificate instead. The Sport Pilot Certificate is not a prerequisite to the Private Pilot Certificate.
About Sport Pilot Certificates
The FAA has introduced a new kind of pilot certificate called the Sport Pilot Certificate. It is intended for pilots who want to fly smaller light sport airplanes for recreation. An example of a light sport aircraft is the Kappa KP-5 ASA that we have available for rental and training at Montgomery County Aviation. It is generally difficult to find light sport aircraft to rent. However, MCA is the only flight school in the area that provides both sport aircraft instruction to students and rental to existing pilots with no minimum time requirements.
The certificate is generally easier to earn than the Private Pilot Certificate, but it has more restrictions. A Private Pilot can exercise the same privileges as a Sport Pilot, but a Sport Pilot does not have all of the privileges of a Private Pilot. Which certificate you choose to earn depends on what you intend to do as a pilot. The table below outlines the differences between the Private Pilot and the Sport Pilot certificates.
| Private Pilot Certificate | Sport Pilot Certificate |
|---|---|
| Minimum 40 hours flight training required to earn. | Minimu 20 hours flight training required to earn. |
| You earn a rating, which allows you to fly an aircraft of a certain category and class (e.g., airplane, single-engine land). | No rating is given. Instead, you are endorsed for a particular category, class, make, and model of an airplane. |
| No speed or horsepower limitations, although instructor endorsements may be required for complex or high performance aircraft. | Maximum gross weight for land-based airplanes is 1,320 lbs. and maximum cruising speed is limited to 120 knots CAS. |
| Pilot may carry multiple passengers. | Pilot may carry only one passenger. |
| May fly into class B, C, and D airspace without pilot endorsements. | Separate endorsements are required for operating in class B, C, or D airspace. |
| May fly at night. | May not fly at night. |
At least a Third Class Medical certificate is required. |
Drivers license is required (or a medical certificate can be used). |
| Must fly in visual conditions when operating VFR, but need not have visual references to the ground. | Visual conditions and visual references to the ground are required at all times. |
| Cross-country flying (i.e., flights to airports other than the airport of origin) is allowed for both types of certificates. See airspace requirements above. Both certificates disallow flying cargo or passengers for hire or in the furtherance of a business. | |
Other limitations exist. Please see Part 61, Subpart J of the Federal Aviation Regulations (14 CFR) for additional information.
Sport Pilot certificates are available for airplanes, gliders, rotorcraft, lighter-than-air, powered parachute, and weight-shift control categories. MCA only provides training in airplanes.
Click here for more information on Montgomery County Aviation's Sport Pilot Program or call 215.646.0400.
For more information about flying as a Sport Pilot, check out the Experimental Aircraft Association's EAA Sport Pilot website.
