According to FAR Part 61.315, as the name suggests, having a Sport Pilot License means you are allowed to operate a light-sport aircraft. But what is the meaning behind “Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)”? What is categorized as a light sport by FAA?
Aircraft classes meeting the definition of Light Sport Aircraft (contained in FAR Part 1.1) that are eligible for the LSA category are:
● Airplanes,
● Gliders,
● Powered parachutes,
● Weight-shift-control aircraft (commonly called trikes), and
● Lighter-than-air aircraft (balloons and airships)
As a Sport Pilot, you may also share the operating expenses of a flight with a passenger, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenses, or aircraft rental fees. In addition to privilege, there are also limitations applied to Sport Pilot, e.g; Sport Pilots are not allowed to carry more than 1 passenger, they are prohibited to fly for compensation or hire, can not fly at night, and some others. Although it may seem like a tight restriction everywhere you look, getting a Sport Pilot License is still a great option for those of you who fancy flying for hobbies & pleasure without having to experience a high level of intensity & complexity of flight training as compared to other licenses like PPL, CPL, ATPL, and so on. But still, regardless of what pilot license you have or will have, the FAA always considers safety as a number one priority. Being a sport pilot student doesn’t mean you will be trained less “qualified” than the other student with different types of pilot licenses.
Other than Sport Pilot, there’s also a Recreational Pilot. According to FAR Part 61.101, the privilege and limitations of having a Recreational Pilot License are that you are allowed to act as a Pilot in Command (PIC) in an aircraft, and carry not more than 1 passenger. Unlike Sport Pilots, the limitation for Recreational Pilots in terms of aircraft they are allowed to fly is much tighter. Recreational pilots can not fly any aircraft that is classified as a multiengine airplane, powered-lift, glider, airship, balloon, powered parachute, or weight-shift-control aircraft. There is, however, a similarity between Sport Pilots & Recreational Pilots, which is they both are prohibited to fly for compensation or hire.
Now you know, that being a pilot does not always mean working in the airline, dealing with a lot of paperwork, or a tight schedule. You can still be a pilot even just to fill in your idle time or make it a short getaway or healing with your beloved aircraft!
According to FAR Part 61.315, as the name suggests, having a Sport Pilot License means you are allowed to operate a light-sport aircraft. But what is the meaning behind “Light Sport Aircraft (LSA)”? What is categorized as a light sport by FAA?
Aircraft classes meeting the definition of Light Sport Aircraft (contained in FAR Part 1.1) that are eligible for the LSA category are:
● Airplanes,
● Gliders,
● Powered parachutes,
● Weight-shift-control aircraft (commonly called trikes), and
● Lighter-than-air aircraft (balloons and airships)
As a Sport Pilot, you may also share the operating expenses of a flight with a passenger, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenses, or aircraft rental fees. In addition to privilege, there are also limitations applied to Sport Pilot, e.g; Sport Pilots are not allowed to carry more than 1 passenger, they are prohibited to fly for compensation or hire, can not fly at night, and some others. Although it may seem like a tight restriction everywhere you look, getting a Sport Pilot License is still a great option for those of you who fancy flying for hobbies & pleasure without having to experience a high level of intensity & complexity of flight training as compared to other licenses like PPL, CPL, ATPL, and so on. But still, regardless of what pilot license you have or will have, the FAA always considers safety as a number one priority. Being a sport pilot student doesn’t mean you will be trained less “qualified” than the other student with different types of pilot licenses.
Other than Sport Pilot, there’s also a Recreational Pilot. According to FAR Part 61.101, the privilege and limitations of having a Recreational Pilot License are that you are allowed to act as a Pilot in Command (PIC) in an aircraft, and carry not more than 1 passenger. Unlike Sport Pilots, the limitation for Recreational Pilots in terms of aircraft they are allowed to fly is much tighter. Recreational pilots can not fly any aircraft that is classified as a multiengine airplane, powered-lift, glider, airship, balloon, powered parachute, or weight-shift-control aircraft. There is, however, a similarity between Sport Pilots & Recreational Pilots, which is they both are prohibited to fly for compensation or hire.
Now you know, that being a pilot does not always mean working in the airline, dealing with a lot of paperwork, or a tight schedule. You can still be a pilot even just to fill in your idle time or make it a short getaway or healing with your beloved aircraft!
Hawra Tustari is an active aviation blogger who has high interest and expectations for the aviation industry. She is also an FAA Private Pilot who currently on a training to upgrade her licenses. Always up to date with the latest aviation news, Hawra aims to provide the best content on our website to help all pilots alike. We aim to provide flight training guidance and with information related to flying school materials and tips involved how to pass the check ride for all students.
Hawra Tustari is an active aviation blogger who has high interest and expectations for the aviation industry. She is also an FAA Private Pilot who currently on a training to upgrade her licenses. Always up to date with the latest aviation news, Hawra aims to provide the best content on our website to help all pilots alike. We aim to provide flight training guidance and with information related to flying school materials and tips involved how to pass the check ride for all students.
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Hawra Tustari is an active aviation blogger who has high interest and expectations for the aviation industry. She is also an FAA Private Pilot who currently on a training to upgrade her licenses. Always up to date with the latest aviation news, Hawra aims to provide the best content on our website to help all pilots alike. We aim to provide flight training guidance and with information related to flying school materials and tips involved how to pass the check ride for all students.
