• At least 17 years of age
• Valid US Driver’s License
• Student Pilot Certificate
• Complete stages A, B, C and D
• FAA Sport Pilot Knowledge Test (passing grade is 70%)
• FAA practical test
• Flight training as listed in Flight Hour Requirements (below):

The FAA minimum is 20 hours of flight time. The national average is closer to 30 hours. Actual flight hours will vary with each student. We take pride in the quality of our instruction and that we have been in business of flight training for over 50 years. We do not train just to pass the test; we train you to be a proficient, skilled and safe pilot.

Total flight time minimum 20 hrs and must include the following:

Flight training (dual) minimum 15 hrs including:

• Dual cross country in an airplane at least 2hrs
• Dual in an airplane in past 60 days at least 2 hrs in preparation for the practical test

Solo flight minimum in an airplane 5 hrs including:

• Solo cross country time in an airplane 5 hrs, including one flight over 75nm total, 3 landing points, and at least one leg over 25nm.

* Cross Country flight must include a landing at an airport more than 25 nautical (not statute) miles from the original point of departure. Additional cross country requirements apply – e.g. night XC must be over 100nm total. The long solo XC has to include one leg of over 25 nm, plus be over 75 nm total.

The FAA minimum is 20 hours; however the national average is 40-50 hours. Actual flight hours will vary with each student. We take pride in the quality of our instruction and that we have been in business of flight training for nearly 50 years. We do not train just to pass the test; we train you to be a proficient, skilled and safe pilot.

Check out our Ground School page also, which is strongly recommended to help you pass the FAA Knowledge Test.

Stage A – Pre Solo

Time: Approximately 15-25 hrs flight instruction, 5 hrs ground instruction
Maneuvers: Takeoffs, climbs, straight and level flight, airspeed changes, turns, descents, landings, Air Traffic Control procedures, etc.
Certificates: none required for training with instructor
Exams: None required for training with instructor

Stage B – Solo and Post Solo

You must be at least 16 years of age to solo
Certificates: Student Pilot Certificate
Exams: Federal Air Regulations, Airplane Operational Characteristics, administered by instructor
Time: 5 hrs solo minimum (including 3 supervised solo flights)
Maneuvers: Practice basic fundamentals, flight test maneuvers, airport pattern entry, exit procedures, advanced take-offs and landing techniques, performance maneuvers

Stage C – Cross Country Preparation and Cross Country Flight

Time: Around 3 hrs cross country flight instruction; about 3 hours solo cross country flight
Maneuvers: navigation using pilotage and dead reckoning; optional radio navigation

Stage D – Flight Test Preparation

Time: As required to exceed the required standards
Maneuvers: Flight test maneuvers required by the FAA Practical Test Standards
Exam: FAA sport pilot knowledge exam multi-choice test, 3 hrs. Preparation for FAA knowledge exam should be started as soon as possible. Ground School is recommended.
Note: Preparation for the FAA flight test will normally be done at the same time as the cross country and other training. However, recommendation ride for flight test is not given until student has passed FAA written exam.
Flight Test: Approximately 1 ½ hrs ground time, 1 ½ hrs air time with FAA examiner.

We price the average hours it takes most students to earn their Sport Pilot License; however, this is very much up to you, your study habits, and how often you fly. We recommend flying at least twice a day to reduce cost and increase efficiency.

We estimate the following:

• 25 hours of flight time
  • 15 hours in SportStar with an instructor (dual)
  • 10 hours solo in SportStar
  • 10 hours of pre/post flight briefing
• 10 hours of ground instruction
• Gleim Sport Pilot Kit with online ground school

Based on current rates:

• 25 hours in the SportStar = $2600 (25 x $104)
• 20 hours flight instructor = $1180 (20 x $59)
• 10 hours of pre/post briefing with instructor = $590 (10 x $59)
• Estimated total = $4370

* As the usual average is approximately 30 hours for Sport Pilot, depending upon the student’s readiness and study habits, each additional 5 hours of flight instruction in the SportStar (including 3 hours pre/post flight instruction) will add approximately $520 for the airplane, plus $480 for instructor if dual.

• Present rates: Airplane Hourly Costs and Instructor Costs.
• Cost of ground school (optional) – $300 tuition for the complete course or $30 per session for sixteen sessions. Tuition does not include cost of books and materials (approximately $100-150).
• Books and materials – a supply of recommended study materials, references, study kits, plotters, computers, maps, log books, etc. is available at AeroDynamic Aviation.

AOPA –Pilot certificate options and timeline

AOPA Sport Pilot Web Site

EAA Sport Pilot Web Site