Sport Pilot Certificate
We can now offer Flight Training and Aircraft Rental for YOUR Sport Pilot Certificate!
Only location in Connecticut, where you can rent an LSA solo!
Sport Pilot Certificate
14 CFR Part 61 Subpart J
An applicant for a student pilot certificate must:
- Read, write, speak and understand English
- Be at least 16 years of age for airplane
- Must hold either a Medical Certificate or U.S. driver’s license
- Pass a Knowledge Test
- Pass a Practical test
Note:
Flight time that a student/pilot accumulates through a “standard” CFI, such as what we are all at Learn 2 Fly CT, LLC: All of the training that is done pursuing a Sport Pilot Certificate as well as any additional training after the certificate is in the hands of the pilot, counts towards a Private Pilot Certificate if the pilot wishes to pursue their education further.
Flight Requirements of 61.313
You must log at least:
20 hours of flight time, including at least:
- 15 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in a single-engine airplane and at least
- 5 hours of solo flight.
Which must include at least:
- 2 hours of cross-country flight training,
- 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport,
- One solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles total distance, with a full-stop landing at a minimum of two points and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations, and
- 2 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor on those areas of operation specified in §61.311 in preparation for the practical test within the preceding 2 calendar months from the month of the test.
What are the privileges and limits of my Sport Pilot Certificate?
- You can act as Pilot-in-Command (PIC) of a Light Sport aircraft
- Carry one additional passenger while acting as the PIC
- You may share the operating expenses of a flight with a passenger, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenses, or aircraft rental fees. You must pay at least half the operating expenses of the flight.
- Fly in Visual Flight Rule (VFR) weather conditions greater than 3 Statute miles of visibility
What are you not allowed to do?
Generally…
- Cannot fly for compensation or hire
- Fly with more then one (1) passenger
- Fly at night
- Operate in Class B, C, D airspace, or at an airport with an operating control tower without additional training from an authorized instructor
Sport Pilot Certificate Possible Cost
| Description of Item | FAA “Minimum” Program – 20 Hours | 30-Hour “Mind in the Game” Program* | 45+ Hour “Part Timer” Program |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price of Aircraft Rental ** 20 hours / 30 hours / 45 hours | $2,565.00 | $3,645.00 | $5,771.25 |
| Flight Instruction with a CFI 15 hours / 22 hours / 30 hours | $985.05 | $1,368.77 | $1,970.10 |
| Ground Instruction (Pre & Post Flight) 10 hours / 18 hours / 23 hours | $656.70 | $1,119.91 | $1,510.41 |
| Books / Supplies *** | $200 | $200 | $200 |
| Ground School | See Notes | See Notes | See Notes |
| FAA 3rd Class Medical Certificate | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| FAA Knowledge Test | $150 | $150 | $150 |
| FAA Practical Test – “Checkride” | $450 | $450 | $450 |
| Total Estimated Price | $ 5,006.75 | $ 6,933.68 | $ 10,051.76 |
The 20-Hour column is the minimum required by the FAA to earn the certificate, and what is always quoted at flight schools across the country.
The 35-Hour “Mind in the Game” Program is specific only to Learn 2 Fly CT. We will tell you what YOU need to do so that you can complete your training and earn your Sport Pilot Certificate in the shortest amount of time, and at the lowest cost to you. More details about this program are listed below.
The 45-Hour column is based on the national average a student accumulates across the United States prior to earning their Sport Pilot Certificate. What we call the “part timer” program.
We want you to make an informed decision and know the cost of training prior to beginning. As far as we know we are the only school sharing this information, showing the low price VS the higher cost of training, and offering a special Block Rate to earn YOUR Certificate at a lower cost to you…with more money available for renting a plane once the Certificate is in your flight bag!
Please note: Everyone’s training will be different and could result in a higher or a lower cost overall.
***Books / Supplies options vary and can increase or decrease the price shown.
Ground School options vary greatly, from an online Ground School costing approximately $180, to a “Traditional Ground School” (in-person) with varying prices across the country. We hold a FREE Private Pilot Ground School to our students where you only have to purchase the books and supplies for the class. Approximate cost for the materials is $165. Contact us to find out when our next class starts!
We have had students complete their Private Pilot Certificate at a total cost of $7,000, in a total amount of flight time of roughly 47 hours and in a 6-month period of time. This occurred when we had a Cessna 152 and a Cessna 150 available for training. These aircraft are relatively less expensive to operate and insure, as such the rental rate was less expensive and resulted in a lower over cost for their training program.
**We offer different pricing options to our Students and Pilots. We offer a Standard Rate, which can be found at any flight school across the country. We also offer a Block Rate to people that put cash or check on account with the school, over $500. This Block Rate is a 5% savings compared to the Standard Rate and is applicable to our CFI Rates and applicable aircraft.
* “Mind in the Game” Program details: This program is offered at a 10% Block Discount, compared to our Standard Rates.
Please Note: Block Rates are for clients that put cash or check on account with Learn 2 Fly CT. Clients looking to qualify for the Block Discount can use a credit/debit card to put money on their account but there is a 3.5% fee associated with using a credit/debit card.
Sport Pilot vs Private Pilot Comparison
Type of Operations / Privileges Private Pilot Sport Pilot
Requires FAA medical certificate Yes Medical or U.S. driver’s license and self-certification
Aircraft size limitations Generally Unlimited 1,320 lb max certificate gross weight, 2 seats max
Aircraft with retractable landing gear Yes No
More than 1 passenger may be carried Yes No
Minimum flight training time required under FAR Part 61 40 hours
(based on reported averages, it typically takes 70 hours)20 hours
(using the averages for Private and Recreational Pilot the typical average could be 33 hours)
Flight in Class B, C, or D airspace Yes Only with additional flight instruction
Night flight Yes No
Flight outside United States airspace Yes No
Less than 3 miles visibility YES, in uncontrolled airspace No