How Do I Obtain Privileges to Operate an Aircraft at an Airport Within, or in Airspace Within, Class B, C, and D Airspace, or in Other Airspace with an Airport Having an Operational Control Tower?

Regulation Text

If you hold a sport pilot certificate and seek privileges to operate an aircraft meeting the performance limits and design requirements of § 61.316 in Class B, C, or D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, or to, from, through, or at an airport having an operational control tower, you must receive and log ground and flight training. The authorized instructor who provides this training must provide a logbook endorsement that certifies you are proficient in the following aeronautical knowledge areas and areas of operation:

(a) The use of radios, communications, navigation system/facilities, and radar services.

(b) Operations at airports with an operating control tower to include three takeoffs and landings to a full stop, with each landing involving a flight in the traffic pattern, at an airport with an operating control tower.

(c) Applicable flight rules of part 91 of this chapter for operations in Class B, C, and D airspace and air traffic control clearances.

Research Notes

Authoritative Sources

AIM §§ 3-2-3, 3-2-4, 3-2-5 — Airspace requirements for Class B, C, and D respectively. Sport pilots must comply with the same two-way radio communication and clearance requirements as any other certificate holder operating in these airspaces. The AIM is the practical operating companion to the regulatory requirements in § 61.325.
§ 61.316 — Defines the performance limits and design requirements of the aircraft a sport pilot is now authorized to fly (as of Amendment 61-159). The 2025 amendment to § 61.325 updated the aircraft reference from "light-sport aircraft" to "aircraft meeting the performance limits and design requirements of § 61.316" to align with the expanded scope of the sport pilot privileges.
AC 61-151 — Provides endorsement documentation guidance. The § 61.325 endorsement is a standalone logbook entry — separate from and in addition to the initial sport pilot certification endorsements.

Regulatory Context

A sport pilot certificate does not automatically authorize operations in Class B, C, or D airspace, or at airports with an operating control tower. This endorsement is required before any such flight. The rule was amended in 2025 (Amendment 61-159) to update the aircraft reference language from "light-sport aircraft" to the new performance-based definition under § 61.316, but the training requirements themselves were unchanged.

Note that Class E and G airspace — and non-towered airports — are available to sport pilots without this endorsement, assuming all other limitations are met. The restriction applies specifically to the controlled airspace classes and tower-operated airports listed.

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

2004-07-27

Original sport pilot rule established § 61.325, requiring a logbook endorsement before sport pilots may operate in Class B, C, D airspace or at towered airports.

2025-07-24

Amendment 61-159 updated § 61.325 to replace 'light-sport aircraft' with 'aircraft meeting the performance limits and design requirements of § 61.316' to align with the expanded sport pilot aircraft definition. Training requirements unchanged.

2026-04-22

Minor conforming amendment to section heading to align with the expanded aircraft definition.

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: Sport pilots need an endorsement to fly at any towered airport

Your sport pilot certificate alone doesn't get you into a towered airport. That's a real-world restriction a lot of new sport pilots don't expect — they see a runway and assume they can land there. If a tower is operating, you need this endorsement first. That includes Class D airports with part-time towers: when the tower is open, the endorsement applies. When the tower is closed and the airspace reverts to Class E or G, the endorsement isn't required. Know your NOTAM situation before you fly.

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Pro Tip: Three full-stop landings at a towered airport — not simulated, not at an untowered field

The regulation is specific: three takeoffs and landings to a full stop, each in the traffic pattern, at an airport with an operating control tower. Touch-and-gos don't count toward this. Simulated tower environments don't count. And it has to be at an actual towered airport — your instructor can't supervise you at a non-towered field and call it equivalent. Plan the training flight to a Class D or busier airport with an actual ATCT on duty.