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  • Home
  • Private
  • Sport
  • IFR
  • About Us/Rates
  • Medicals
  • Planes/Sim
  • Part 61 vs 141
  • Insights
  • Check Before Flying
  • Weather
  • Buy
  • Links
  • Apple/Android Nav
  • YouTube Lists
  • Where to Go
  • Tools
    • SkyVector
    • VFRmap
    • Sun and Moon
    • MyFlightBook
    • Engine Sim
    • Online CX-3
    • E6BX.com

Just Want to Be Able to Fly?

Basically

If you want to fly during the day...not fly as a career...the FAA made it easier.

Less training required

Less time is less money. I will not shortcut any training though...you will still learn the way we teach everyone.


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 training in the areas of operation listed in § 61.311, (not 40 hours like Private Pilot)


Including:

 (i) 2 hours of cross-country flight training, (ii) 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop (with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern) at an airport, (iii) 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 (iv) 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. 

Knowledge (Computer) Test

The test bank is about 300 questions versus about 750.

I would still emphasize taking the same approach to learning on the ground though.

No FAA medical needed

§ 61.303 says: if you have a U.S. driver's license you may fly any light-sport aircraft for which you hold the endorsements required for its category and class.


§ 61.303 says: (b)(3) Not have had his or her most recently issued medical certificate (if the person has held a medical certificate) suspended or revoked or most recent Authorization for a Special Issuance of a Medical Certificate withdrawn; and

(4) Not know or have reason to know of any medical condition that would make that person unable to operate a light-sport aircraft in a safe manner.

What kinds of plane?

May have up to 4 seats but only allowed to carry 1 passenger.


Stall speed flaps up limit is 59 kts.


This includes many Cessna (150, 172, 182) and Piper aircraft.

You can add night privileges later

Require at least a Third-Class medical certificate or meet the requirements of BasicMed to operate at night...and some night training.

Controlled airspace

Class B, C, and D airspace: You must receive a logbook endorsement from an instructor to fly in these areas.


Training is required: The endorsement involves ground and flight training from a qualified instructor.


Air Traffic Control (ATC) clearances: You must be trained on how to obtain and follow ATC clearances for the specific airspace.

What can I do at home?

Same as Private Pilot

You need to study

You need to get a student pilot certificate before solo work

Learn More


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