Regulation Text
§ 61.407 What aeronautical knowledge must I have to apply for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating?
(a) Except as specified in paragraph (c) of this section you must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor on the fundamentals of instruction that includes:
(1) The learning process.
(2) Elements of effective teaching.
(3) Student evaluation and testing.
(4) Course development.
(5) Lesson planning.
(6) Classroom training techniques.
(b) You must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor on the aeronautical knowledge areas applicable to a sport pilot certificate for the aircraft category and class in which you seek flight instructor privileges.
(c) You do not have to meet the requirements of paragraph (a) of this section if you—
(1) Hold a flight instructor certificate or ground instructor certificate issued under this part;
(2) Hold a teacher's certificate issued by a State, county, city, or municipality; or
(3) Are employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.
[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44875, July 27, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42562, Aug. 21, 2009]
Research Notes
Research Notes — § 61.407 Aeronautical Knowledge Areas
Two-Part Knowledge Structure
The knowledge requirement is split into two domains: (a) fundamentals of instructing (FOI) and (b) aeronautical knowledge for the specific aircraft category/class. The FOI domain is the same theoretical instructional science framework required of all flight instructors under § 61.185. The aeronautical knowledge domain mirrors the sport pilot knowledge requirements in § 61.97 but applied to the instructor level.
Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) — § 61.407(a)
The FOI areas include: (1) learning processes, (2) elements of effective teaching, (3) student evaluation, oral questioning, and testing, (4) course development, (5) lesson planning, and (6) classroom training techniques. These align directly with the FOI knowledge test content. FAA source: Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9B) — the primary study reference for all FOI areas.
Sport Pilot Aeronautical Knowledge — § 61.407(b)
Instructor-level aeronautical knowledge for sport pilots covers: applicable FARs, airspace, weather, aircraft performance, preflight operations, emergency procedures, night operations (as applicable), radio communications, and human factors. The specific knowledge areas vary by aircraft category (ASEL, glider, powered parachute, weight-shift control, lighter-than-air, gyroplane). Cross-reference § 61.97 for the base list.
FOI Exemptions — § 61.407(c)
The FOI knowledge test may be waived for applicants who: hold a flight instructor certificate issued under Part 61; hold a ground instructor certificate; hold a teacher's certificate from a state/government authorizing instruction at secondary or higher education level; or are employees of a state/government authorized to provide aeronautical instruction. This list is the same as the exemption in § 61.185(b).
Aviation Instructor's Handbook Reference
The FAA Aviation Instructor's Handbook (FAA-H-8083-9B) is the authoritative study reference for FOI areas. Chapters 1-7 correspond directly to the knowledge test content. All sport pilot instructor candidates should treat this as their primary study guide for the FOI component.
Amendment History
AOA Notes
These notes correspond to the highlighted phrases in the regulation text above. Each one flags something worth knowing — a common misread, a checkride gotcha, or a practical pro tip.
CFI Commentary
Highlighted phrases in the regulation text above link to instructor notes at the bottom of this page. Look for the amber or blue highlights — each one flags a gotcha or a pro tip worth knowing.