Regulation Text
§ 61.311 What flight proficiency requirements must I meet to apply for a sport pilot certificate?
To apply for a sport pilot certificate, you must receive and log ground and flight training from an authorized instructor on the following areas of operation, as appropriate, for airplane single-engine land or sea, glider, gyroplane, helicopter, airship, balloon, powered parachute land or sea, weight-shift-control aircraft land or sea privileges:
(a) Preflight preparation.
(b) Preflight procedures.
(c) Airport, heliport, seaplane base, and gliderport operations, as applicable.
(d) Hovering maneuvers (applicable only to helicopters).
(e) Takeoffs (or launches), landings, and go-arounds.
(f) Performance maneuvers and, for gliders, performance speeds.
(g) Ground reference maneuvers (not applicable to gliders, helicopters, and balloons).
(h) Soaring techniques (applicable only to gliders).
(i) Navigation.
(j) Slow flight (not applicable to lighter-than-air aircraft, helicopters, and powered parachutes).
(k) Stalls (not applicable to lighter-than-air aircraft, gyroplanes, helicopters, and powered parachutes).
(l) Emergency operations.
(m) Post-flight procedures.
[Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35213, July 24, 2025]
Research Notes
Research Notes — § 61.311 Flight Proficiency Requirements
Category and Class Flexibility
§ 61.311 specifies the areas of operation across all categories and classes the sport pilot can pursue: airplane single-engine land or sea, glider, gyroplane, helicopter, airship, balloon, powered parachute, and weight-shift-control aircraft. Each category/class has slightly different emphasis (e.g., hovering maneuvers only for helicopters, soaring techniques only for gliders). Source: 14 CFR § 61.311 via eCFR.
ACS Alignment
The areas of operation listed in § 61.311 directly correspond to the task areas in the Sport Pilot ACS. The ACS further breaks each area into tasks with specific knowledge, risk management, and skill elements. The regulation establishes the what; the ACS establishes the standard. Source: FAA Airman Certification Standards — Sport Pilot.
Emergency Operations
§ 61.311(l) requires training in emergency operations — engine failure procedures, off-airport landing selection, emergency equipment and survival gear. LSA are often operated in remote or uncontrolled environments where engine failure demands immediate, practiced response. This area is non-negotiable regardless of aircraft category. Source: FAA Airplane Flying Handbook, Chapter 17 — Emergency Procedures.
Comparison to Private Pilot § 61.107
§ 61.311 covers similar flight proficiency areas as the private pilot requirements in § 61.107, but without night flight operations, instrument flight, or commercial maneuver requirements. The sport pilot practical test does not include simulated instrument flight (the private pilot test does). Source: 14 CFR § 61.107 — Private Pilot Flight Proficiency.
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.