Regulation Text
§ 61.315 What are the privileges and limits of my sport pilot certificate?
(a) If you hold a sport pilot certificate you may act as pilot in command of an aircraft that meets the provisions of § 61.316, except as specified in paragraph (c) of this section.
(b) You may share the operating expenses of a flight with a passenger, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenses, or aircraft rental fees. You must pay at least half the operating expenses of the flight.
(c) You may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft:
(1) That is carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire.
(2) For compensation or hire.
(3) In furtherance of a business.
(4) While carrying more than one passenger.
(5) At night, except as provided in § 61.329.
(6) In Class A airspace.
(7) In Class B, C, and D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, and to, from, through, or at an airport having an operational control tower unless you have met the requirements specified in § 61.325.
(8) Outside the United States, unless you have prior authorization from the country in which you seek to operate. Your sport pilot certificate carries the limit "Holder does not meet ICAO requirements."
(9) To demonstrate the aircraft in flight to a prospective buyer if you are an aircraft salesperson.
(10) In a passenger-carrying airlift sponsored by a charitable organization.
(11) At an altitude of more than 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher.
(12) When the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles.
(13) Without visual reference to the surface.
(14) If the aircraft:
(i) Has a VH greater than 87 knots CAS, unless you have met the requirements of § 61.327(b).
(ii) Has a VH less than or equal to 87 knots CAS, unless you have met the requirements of § 61.327(a) or have logged flight time as pilot in command of an airplane with a VH less than or equal to 87 knots CAS before April 2, 2010.
(15) Contrary to any operating limitation placed on the airworthiness certificate of the aircraft being flown.
(16) Contrary to any limit on your pilot certificate or airman medical certificate, or any other limit or endorsement from an authorized instructor.
(17) Contrary to any restriction or limitation on your U.S. driver's license or any restriction or limitation imposed by judicial or administrative order when using your driver's license to satisfy a requirement of this part.
(18) While towing any object.
(19) As a pilot flight crewmember on any aircraft for which more than one pilot is required by the type certificate of the aircraft or the regulations under which the flight is conducted.
(20) If the aircraft—
(i) Has retractable landing gear, unless you have met the requirements of § 61.331(a); or
(ii) Is an airplane with a manual controllable pitch propeller, unless you have met the requirements of § 61.331(b).
(21) That requires a pilot to hold a type rating in accordance with § 61.31(a).
[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44869, July 27, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 61-125, 75 FR 5221, Feb. 1, 2010; Amdt. 61-125A, 75 FR 15610, Mar. 30, 2010; Docket FAA-2023-1377, Amdt. 61-159, 90 FR 35215, July 24, 2025]
Research Notes
Research Notes — § 61.315 Sport Pilot Privileges and Limitations
Core Privilege
§ 61.315(a) grants the sport pilot the privilege to act as pilot in command of aircraft meeting the § 61.316 performance limits. This is the operational foundation of the sport pilot certificate. Source: 14 CFR § 61.315 via eCFR.
Expense Sharing — § 61.315(b)
Sport pilots may share operating expenses with passengers (fuel, oil, airport, aircraft rental). They must pay at least half. This is the same expense-sharing authorization available to private pilots under § 61.113(c). The key limitation: sport pilots cannot fly for compensation or hire in any form — including carrying passengers for hire, operating in furtherance of a business, or demonstrating aircraft to prospective buyers. Source: FAA Chief Counsel Interpretation, expense sharing limits.
Altitude Limit — 10,000 ft MSL or 2,000 ft AGL
§ 61.315(c)(11): sport pilots may not operate above 10,000 feet MSL, or 2,000 feet AGL if AGL is higher. This is a hard operational ceiling, not a recommendation. Operating above this altitude requires a separate limitation endorsement and is beyond standard sport pilot privileges. Mountain flying in the western U.S. may easily approach or exceed these limits. Source: 14 CFR § 61.315(c)(11).
Visibility Minimum — 3 SM
§ 61.315(c)(12): minimum 3 statute miles flight visibility. This is the same VFR visibility minimum for Class G airspace below 1,200 AGL during the day, but it applies to sport pilots at all altitudes and airspace classes where they operate (they can't access Class A). Source: 14 CFR § 91.155 — Basic VFR Weather Minimums.
Night Restriction
§ 61.315(c)(5): sport pilots may not fly at night "except as provided in § 61.329." § 61.329 allows night flying with additional training and a logbook endorsement — it is not a blanket prohibition, but requires a specific certification step. Many sport pilots remain unaware that a night endorsement pathway exists. Source: 14 CFR § 61.329 — Sport Pilot Night Flying Endorsement.
ICAO Limitation — International Operations
§ 61.315(c)(8): the sport pilot certificate carries the endorsement "Holder does not meet ICAO requirements." This means the certificate is not ICAO-recognized and cannot be used to operate in foreign countries under ICAO Article 31 reciprocity. Flying internationally requires prior written authorization from the foreign country — a significant practical limitation for cross-border sport flying. Source: ICAO Annex 1 — Personnel Licensing.
VH Speed Endorsement Requirement
§ 61.315(c)(14): sport pilots cannot fly an aircraft with a VH (maximum level flight speed) greater than 87 knots CAS without a specific endorsement under § 61.327(b). This requirement protects pilots moving from slower LSA to faster aircraft within the LSA category. Source: 14 CFR § 61.327 — Sport Pilot Endorsement for Aircraft with Higher VH.
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.