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 ) 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);
- 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. |
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