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Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Sport Pilot Privileges

These are the steps to take if you are an existing Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) who wants to instruct in Light Sport Aircraft (LSA).

A. Existing and current CFI, private and up operating under Part 61 subpart H, currently teaching using a 3rd class medical, who wants to add instruction for the sport pilot certificate.

• Existing and current CFI's have no additional training requirements to train sport pilots in the same category/class, you are a sport pilot instructor now. You can go down but not up.
• You can start training sport pilots in the same category/class with a non LSA aircraft such as Cessna 172, Piper, etc, but the following time is required in a LSA:
• Student solo must be in a LSA if they are using a drivers license as medical. The student will also need a Sport Pilot Student certificate from a Sport Pilot DPE or the local FSDO. (this is in place of the medical student pilot certificate)
• The three hours training 60 days prior to checkride per 61.313 must be in a LSA.
• The Checkride (Practical exam) must be taken in a LSA.
• Medical - If you use an Aviation 3rd class medical, you do NOT have to comply with any Sport Pilot limitations per 61.315. You are operating under Part 61 Subpart H.

B. CFI certificate expired, private and up previously operating under Part 61 subpart H, who wants to start up again teaching sport pilots and instruct in same category/class using a drivers license as medical eligibility. This would also apply to a CFI who let the 3rd class medical expire and continue to operate as a sport pilot instructor. This is how to operate as a sport pilot instructor CFIS under Part 61 Subpart K.

First, you must become current as a sport pilot in the category/class aircraft you want to instruct in. Use your valid and current drivers license as medical. If an FAA medical has been revoked, denied or suspended, this requires a special issuance to clear the medical, before the driver's license may be used as the medical eligibility. Any limitation on the driver's license or FAA medical must be followed. You must complete a current flight review typically called Biannual Flight Review (BFR). A BFR can be in any aircraft type.

Second, you must renew your CFI certificate per 61.427. Using your drivers license as medical eligibility, you can operate only LSA with sport pilot limitations per 61.315, but are NOT required to have the airspeed or airspace B, C,& D endorsements. FAR 61.429 allows you to operate as a sport pilot instructor under Part 61 Subpart K, using your drivers license as medical and comply with all Sport Pilot CFI privileges per 61.413, limitations per 61.415, and record keeping per 61.423.

C. Any current CFI who wants to add an additional category/class to teach sport pilots in LSA. Example: ASEL wanting to add WSCL, ASES, PPCL. First you must become qualified as a "pilot" for the additional make/model/set you want to add with a proficiency check for a sport pilot per 61.321 or practical test for private pilot per 61.103. Second, you must add the category/class to the "flight instructor" certificate. This is a proficiency check for sport pilots per 61.409 and a practical test per 61.191.

In summary, there are two types of CFI operation:

CFI Subpart H - Flight Instructors other than flight instructors with a Sport Pilot rating - Current instructors private/recreational and above who can teach sport pilots now with no new training or certification.

CFIS Subpart K - Flight Instructors with a Sport Pilot Rating - Expired Subpart H CFI using drivers license as medical eligibility, and new Sport Pilot flight instructors.

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Article by Paul Hamilton, CFI, DPE, SPE SPIE, one of the first persons to receive Sport Pilot and Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificates in weight-shift control, land category, as well as, Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) for Sport Pilots. Owner of Adventure Productions, Paul Hamilton produces entertainment, educational, and training resources for Ultralight and Sport Pilots that you can purchase at AP-Store.com.