§ 61.327 — Are there specific endorsement requirements to operate an aircraft based on V_H?

Regulation Text

Note: In the regulation, V_H means the maximum level flight airspeed at maximum continuous power, expressed in knots calibrated airspeed (KCAS).

(a) Except as specified in paragraph (c) of this section, if you hold a sport pilot certificate and you seek to operate an aircraft meeting the performance limits and design requirements of § 61.316 that is an airplane with a V_H less than or equal to 87 knots CAS you must—

(1) Receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor in an airplane that has a V_H less than or equal to 87 knots CAS; and

(2) Receive a logbook endorsement from the authorized instructor who provided the training specified in paragraph (a)(1) of this section certifying that you are proficient in the operation of aircraft that is an airplane with a V_H less than or equal to 87 knots CAS.

(b) If you hold a sport pilot certificate and you seek to operate an aircraft meeting the performance limits and design requirements of § 61.316 that has a V_H greater than 87 knots CAS you must—

(1) Receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor in an aircraft that has a V_H greater than 87 knots CAS; and

(2) Receive a logbook endorsement from the authorized instructor who provided the training specified in paragraph (b)(1) of this section certifying that you are proficient in the operation of aircraft with a V_H greater than 87 knots CAS.

(c) The training and endorsements required by paragraph (a) of this section are not required if you have logged flight time as pilot in command of an airplane with a V_H less than or equal to 87 knots CAS prior to April 2, 2010.

Research Notes

Authoritative Sources

14 CFR § 1.1 — Definitions. V_H means the maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power. This is not the same as cruise speed or V_NE (never-exceed speed). For sport pilot purposes, it is measured in knots calibrated airspeed (KCAS).
§ 61.316 — Defines performance limits for aircraft eligible for sport pilot operations as of Amendment 61-159 (2025). The V_H threshold of 87 KCAS is one of the legacy parameters from the original light-sport aircraft definition that carried over into the new performance-based framework.
AC 61-151 — Endorsement guidance for sport pilots. The § 61.327 endorsement is specific to the V_H category of the aircraft being operated; a pilot with a ≤87 KCAS endorsement does not automatically have privileges in a >87 KCAS airplane without a separate endorsement.

Regulatory Context

The 87-knot threshold divides sport pilot airplanes into two tiers for training purposes: slower aircraft (≤87 KCAS) and faster aircraft (>87 KCAS). A sport pilot with only the lower-speed endorsement cannot fly an airplane that has a published V_H above 87 knots even if that airplane is otherwise eligible under § 61.316. The training must be conducted in an airplane that matches the speed category sought.

The grandfather clause in paragraph (c) is a one-way exception: it exempts pilots who logged PIC time in ≤87 KCAS airplanes before April 2, 2010 from the training requirement for that category. It does not apply to the >87 KCAS category regardless of experience.

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.

Amendment History

2010-02-01

Original § 61.327 established the V_H endorsement requirement with the 87-knot threshold and grandfather clause for pre-April 2010 experience.

2010-03-30

Technical correction to the February 2010 rule.

2025-07-24

Updated § 61.327 to replace 'light-sport aircraft' with 'aircraft meeting the performance limits and design requirements of § 61.316' throughout, aligning with the 2025 performance-based aircraft definition. V_H thresholds and endorsement requirements unchanged.

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.

Gotcha: V_H is not cruise speed — and it determines which airplane you're legal to fly

V_H is the maximum level flight airspeed at maximum continuous power. It's a number published by the manufacturer, not something you eyeball from the cruise table. And it matters a lot: if an airplane's V_H is above 87 knots — even by a few knots — your endorsement for the slower category doesn't cover it. Before you fly an unfamiliar sport aircraft, look up V_H in the POH or aircraft flight manual. If it's above 87 KCAS and you only have the slow-speed endorsement, you're not legal to fly it as PIC.

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Pro Tip: The 2010 grandfather clause — only for the slow-speed category, not the fast one

If you were flying slow sport-eligible airplanes as PIC before April 2, 2010, the FAA didn't require you to go back and get a formal endorsement for that speed category. But here's what the grandfather clause does NOT do: it doesn't give you any privilege in a faster (>87 KCAS) airplane. That endorsement has no grandfather provision — you need the training regardless of how much time you have. This is a detail that trips up pilots with pre-2010 experience who assume their history covers more than it does.