Regulations last checked for updates: Feb 10, 2026

Title 14 - Aeronautics and Space last revised: Dec 19, 2026
§ 61.311 - What flight proficiency requirements must I meet to apply for a sport pilot certificate?

To apply for a sport pilot certificate, you must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the following areas of operation, as appropriate, for airplane single-engine land or sea, glider, gyroplane, helicopter, airship, balloon, powered parachute land or sea, weight-shift-control aircraft land or sea privileges:

(a) Preflight preparation.

(b) Preflight procedures.

(c) Airport, heliport, seaplane base, and gliderport operations, as applicable.

(d) Hovering maneuvers (applicable only to helicopters).

(e) Takeoffs (or launches), landings, and go-arounds.

(f) Performance maneuvers and, for gliders, performance speeds.

(g) Ground reference maneuvers (not applicable to gliders, helicopters, and balloons).

(h) Soaring techniques (applicable only to gliders).

(i) Navigation.

(j) Slow flight (not applicable to lighter-than-air aircraft, helicopters, and powered parachutes).

(k) Stalls (not applicable to lighter-than-air aircraft, gyroplanes, helicopters, and powered parachutes).

(l) Emergency operations.

(m) Post-flight procedures.

[Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35213, July 24, 2025]
authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701-44703, 44707, 44709-44711, 44729, 44903, 45102-45103, 45301-45302
source: Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, unless otherwise noted.
cite as: 14 CFR 61.311