Regulation Text
§ 61.423 What are the recordkeeping requirements for a flight instructor with a sport pilot rating?
(a) As a flight instructor with a sport pilot rating you must:
(1) Sign the logbook of each person to whom you have given flight training or ground training.
(2) Keep a record of the name, date, and type of endorsement for:
(i) Each person whose logbook you have endorsed for solo flight privileges.
(ii) Each person for whom you have provided an endorsement for a knowledge test, practical test, or proficiency check, and the record must indicate the kind of test or check, and the results.
(iii) Each person whose logbook you have endorsed as proficient to operate—
(A) An additional category or class of light-sport aircraft;
(B) 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;
(C) A light-sport aircraft that is an airplane with a VH less than or equal to 87 knots CAS; and
(D) A light-sport aircraft with a VH greater than 87 knots CAS.
(iv) Each person whose logbook you have endorsed as proficient to provide flight training in an additional category or class of light-sport aircraft.
(b) Within 10 days after providing an endorsement for a person to operate or provide training in an additional category and class of light-sport aircraft you must—
(1) Complete, sign, and submit to the FAA the application presented to you to obtain those privileges; and
(2) Retain a copy of the form.
(c) You must keep the records listed in this section for 3 years. You may keep these records in a logbook or a separate document.
[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44875, July 27, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 61-125, 75 FR 5222, Feb. 1, 2010; Amdt. 61-125A, 75 FR 15610, Mar. 30, 2010; Docket FAA-2010-1127, Amdt. 61-135, 81 FR 1307, Jan. 12, 2016]
Research Notes
Research Notes — § 61.423 Sport Pilot Instructor Recordkeeping
Core Recordkeeping Obligations
§ 61.423 establishes what records a sport pilot instructor must maintain regarding the instruction they provide. The requirements mirror the general flight instructor record-keeping requirements in § 61.189, adapted for the LSA context. Records must be maintained for a specified period and must include specific content for each student.
Amendment History — 2016 Revision
Amended by Amdt. 61-135 (81 FR 1696, Jan. 13, 2016). The 2016 update clarified recordkeeping in the context of changes to the LSA regulatory framework. Current text at eCFR § 61.423.
Required Record Content
For each student, the sport pilot instructor must record: (1) the name of the student, (2) the date of the endorsement, (3) the type of endorsement (solo, knowledge test, practical test), and (4) the aircraft category and class for which the endorsement was given. These records must be maintained for a period of 3 years from the date of endorsement per § 61.189(a).
FAA Inspection Authority
The FAA may inspect an instructor's endorsement records at any time. Under § 61.189(b), flight instructors (including sport pilot instructors) must, upon request, provide the FAA with the student records required by the section. Maintaining inadequate records is an enforcement violation separate from any substantive certificate action.
Practical Application — Electronic vs. Paper Records
The FARs don't specify paper vs. electronic records for instructor endorsement logs. Best practice in the field is to maintain both: a contemporaneous logbook or dedicated endorsement log (paper or digital), plus copies of any endorsement documents given to students. If a student disputes an endorsement or an FAA inspector questions your records years later, your documentation quality determines the outcome.
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.