Oregon Flight School - Sport Pilot Flight Training

Sport Pilot Flight TRaining in Oregon

Though the most common and often times most desirable Pilots License is the Private Pilot License, the Sport Pilots License has a number of advantages that make it worth considering. Sport Pilot flight training in Oregon is frequently less expensive than Private Pilot flight training, and there are fewer requirements to be met, including on 20 hours of flight time (versus the Private Pilot requirement of at least 40), making it a more efficient process. Additionally, all that is required of a Sport Pilot is a driver's license, so medical issues that might otherwise prevent one from passing a flight physical for a 3rd class medical (or BasicMed) are less likely to prevent one from flying.

The following limitations apply to Sport Pilots:

Only aircraft certified as Light Sport Aircraft (aka LSA) may be flown
- Max gross takeoff weight: 1,320lbs (1,430lbs for seaplanes)
- Max stall speed: 51mph/45 knots
- Max speed in level flight: 138mph/120 knots
- Max seats: 2
- Fixed landing gear, unpressurized cabin, only one engine, and a fixed-pitch propellor
Only one passenger may be carried on board and the Sport Pilot may split costs with that one passenger
Flight is only permitted during the daytime and when visibility is at least 3 statute miles. Visual contact with the ground must never be lost
Flight up to 2,000 feet above the ground is permitted, up to a maximum of 10,000 feet above sea level (In other words, if one takes off from, say, Telluride Colorado, whose airport is at about 9,000 feet above sea level, a Sport Pilot is only permitted to fly 1,000 feet above that airport, because they cannot exceed flight above 10,000 feet above sea level)
Flight is only permitted in Class G and Class E airspace, unless a Sport Pilot undergoes further training in other airspace classes and receives a logbook endorsement for such training
A Sport Pilot may not fly in furtherance of business, may not tow anything (such as a banner or glider), and may never carry any person or property for compensation or hire
A Sport Pilot may not fly outside of the United States without prior permission from the foreign aviation authority

Do these limitations sound too restrictive? If so, you may want to considering becoming a Private Pilot instead, which will open up many additional opportunities for growth as an aviator. Anyone seeking a career as a pilot will definitely want to become a Private Pilot. However, it is always possible to become a Private Pilot down the road if you decide a Sport Pilots License is best for you now.

Ready to begin Sport Pilot Flight Training? Contact Us today and we will help you find an Oregon Flight School and Flight Instructor that suits your needs!

The Federal Aviation Regulations for the Sport Pilot License may be found here.