MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot, and Private Pilot Knowledge Tests
1. Q. What is the age requirement to take the sport pilot, recreational pilot,
or private pilot knowledge test?
A. An applicant must be at least 15 years of age to take the test, although
applicants for the balloon or glider tests must be 14 years of age. Prior to
taking the knowledge test, an applicant shall be asked to present a birth
certificate or other official documentation as evidence of meeting the age requirement.
2. Q. What aircraft can I fly as a sport pilot?
A. You are limited to flying an aircraft that meets the definition of a light-sport
aircraft (LSA). An LSA is any certificated aircraft that meets the following
performance parameters:
1,320 pounds Maximum Gross Weight (1,430 pounds for seaplanes)
45 knots (51 mph) Max Landing Configuration Stall
120 knots (138 mph) Max. Straight & Level
Single or Two seat Aircraft
Fixed Pitch or Ground Adjustable Propeller
Fixed Landing Gear (except for amphibious aircraft)
3. Q. What are the restrictions on a sport pilot?
A. Sport pilots cannot make flights:
•at night;
•in controlled airspace unless you receive training and a logbook endorsement;
•outside the U.S. without advance permission from that country(ies);
•for the purpose of sight-seeing with passengers for charity fundraisers;
•above 10,000' MSL;
•when the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles;
•unless you can see the surface of the Earth for flight reference;
•in LSA with a maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power
(V h ) of greater than 87 knots (100 mph), unless you receive training and a
logbook endorsement;
•if the operating limitations issued with the aircraft do not permit that
activity;
•contrary to any limitation listed on the pilot’s certificate, U.S.
driver’s license, FAA medical certificate, or logbook endorsement(s); and
•while carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire (no commercial
operations).
4. Q. How should I prepare for the knowledge test?
A. To adequately prepare for the knowledge test, your instructor should review
with you:
(1) 14 CFR part 61, section 97 (if preparing for the recreational pilot knowledge
test);
(2) 14 CFR part 61, section 105 (if preparing for the private pilot knowledge
test); or
(3) 14 CFR part 61, section 309 (if preparing for the sport pilot knowledge
test).
The regulations require an applicant to have logged ground training from an
authorized instructor, or to present evidence of having satisfactorily completed
a course of instruction or home-study course in the knowledge areas appropriate
to the category and class aircraft for the rating sought.
5. Q. What document or documents must I present prior to taking a knowledge
test?
A. An applicant for a knowledge test must present appropriate personal identification.
The identification must include a photograph of the applicant, the applicant’s
signature, and the applicant’s actual residential address (if different
from the mailing address). This information may be presented in more than one
form. The applicant must also present one of the following:
(1) A certificate of graduation from an FAA-approved pilot school or pilot training
course appropriate to the certificate or rating sought, or a statement of accomplishment
from the school certifying the satisfactory completion of the ground-school
portion of such a course.
(2) A written statement or logbook endorsement from an FAA-Certificated Ground
or Flight Instructor, certifying that the applicant has satisfactorily completed
an applicable ground training or home-study course and is prepared for the knowledge
test.
(3) A certificate of graduation or statement of accomplishment from a ground-school
course appropriate to the certificate or rating sought conducted by an agency,
such as a high school, college, adult education program, the Civil Air Patrol,
or an ROTC Flight Training Program.
(4) A certificate of graduation from a home-study course developed by the aeronautical
enterprise providing the study material. The certificate of graduation must
correspond to the FAA knowledge test for the certificate or rating sought. The
aeronautical enterprise providing the course of study must also supply a comprehensive
knowledge test, which can be scored as evidence that the student has completed
the course of study. When the student satisfactorily completes the knowledge
test, it is sent to the course provider for scoring by an FAA-Certificated Ground
or Flight Instructor. The instructor personally evaluates the test and attests
to the student’s knowledge of the subjects presented in the course. Upon
satisfactory completion, a graduation certificate is sent to the student.
(5) In the event of retesting after a failure, the applicant must present the
unsatisfactory Airman Test Report. If the applicant elects to retest for a higher
score, the satisfactory Airman Test Report must be surrendered to the test administrator.
6. Q. If I fail the knowledge test, is there any way to determine the areas
in which I need additional work, so I can study for a retest?
A. Yes. You will receive an Airman Test Report from the testing center. The
test report will contain your test score and will also list topic and content
descriptions for the areas in which you were deficient.
7. Q. If I pass the knowledge test, will I receive the same information concerning
areas in which I need additional work as I would if I failed the test?
A. Yes. (Refer to the previous answer.)
8. Q. How long is a satisfactorily completed knowledge test valid?
A. 2 years. A satisfactorily completed knowledge test expires at the end of
the day of the 24th month after the month in which it was taken. If a practical
test is not satisfactorily completed during that period, another knowledge
test must be taken. |
