Regulation Text
§ 61.412 Do I need additional training to provide instruction on control and maneuvering an airplane solely by reference to the instruments in a light-sport aircraft based on VH?
To provide flight training under § 61.93(e)(12) on control and maneuvering an airplane solely by reference to the flight instruments for the purpose of issuing a solo cross-country endorsement under § 61.93(c)(1) to a student pilot seeking a sport pilot certificate, a flight instructor with a sport pilot rating must:
(a) Hold an endorsement required by § 61.327(b);
(b) Receive and log a minimum of 1 hour of ground training and 3 hours of flight training from an authorized instructor in an airplane with a VH greater than 87 knots CAS or in a full flight simulator, flight training device, or aviation training device that replicates an airplane with a VH greater than 87 knots CAS; and
(c) Receive a one-time endorsement in his or her logbook from an instructor authorized under subpart H of this part who certifies that the person is proficient in providing training on control and maneuvering solely by reference to the flight instruments in an airplane with a VH greater than 87 knots CAS. This flight training must include straight and level flight, turns, descents, climbs, use of radio navigation aids, and ATC directives.
[Amdt. 61-142, 83 FR 30280, June 27, 2018]
Research Notes
Research Notes — § 61.412 Additional Control and Maneuvering Training
What This Section Requires
§ 61.412 requires a sport pilot instructor to receive additional training from an authorized instructor before providing flight training on the control and maneuvering of a light-sport aircraft solely by reference to instruments — i.e., basic instrument instruction within a light-sport aircraft context. This is not full instrument flight instruction under a CFII rating, but rather the limited instrument maneuvering relevant to LSA operations.
Distinction from CFII Privileges
A sport pilot instructor is NOT authorized to provide instrument training for an instrument rating (that requires a CFII under § 61.195). What § 61.412 addresses is the ability to teach a student how to recover from instrument conditions that may be inadvertently encountered — a safety-critical skill. The training ensures the sport pilot instructor has received demonstrated competency in this specific instructional context before teaching it.
Logbook Documentation
This additional training must be documented in the instructor's logbook with an endorsement from the authorized instructor who provided it. The endorsement should reflect that the sport pilot instructor has demonstrated the ability to train students in this area. See AC 61-65K Appendix D for applicable endorsement language.
Safety Rationale
The NTSB accident record for light-sport aircraft includes inadvertent IMC as a contributing factor in numerous fatal accidents. Sport pilots operate under VFR-only restrictions (no instrument rating required), making unexpected instrument encounters a genuine hazard. The FAA's requirement for additional instructor training in this area reflects recognition of the risk — instructors who teach sport pilots must themselves be qualified to train in basic instrument maneuvering recovery.
Amendment History
AOA Notes
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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.