Sport Flying Guide

Welcome to your Sport Flying Guide!

After ten years of effort by pilot associations and aircraft manufacturers, the Federal Aviation Administration implemented the Sport Pilot and Light-Sport Aircraft rules in 2004. SP/LSA makes pilot certificates easier to get and a new type of safe aircraft easier to buy. It was a new way of thinking about flying.

The premise? Not all pilots even want to fly high-performance aircraft in crowded airspace. Using common sense, the new rules make it much easier for non-commercial pilots to get trained and certified to fly plenty-fast planes under visual flight rules (VFR) — if it's clear enough to see, well, it's nice enough to fly. No flying at night and stay away from clouds. And you don't have to buy a plane that costs as much as a new house! Based on this common-sense concept, private aviation is growing again.

SportFlyingGuide.com is for people who want to learn all about sport flying. In addition to newbies, there are more than 100,000 ex-pilots can no longer fly because their FAA third-class medical exam has expired. Otherwise healthy enough to fly, they're grounded. The new sport-pilot regulations can give them clearance. If they have a valid driver's license they're healthy enough to fly! (If you're one of these pilots, remember that this website is intended for beginning pilots.) Flying your own airplane can be one of the most enjoyable things you'll ever do. Thanks to new sport flying rules, you can learn to fly for less money than ever before. Let this website be your guide to safe and affordable sport flying. This website is presented in a very logical structure to make it easy to find things when you need them. Let's take a closer look at each section, shown above, and feel free to use your mouse to open any of the Sport Flying Guides:

REQUIREMENTS introduces you to the Sport Pilot rules that dramatically enhance private aviation. You'll discover why planes fly and what the rules are.

INSTRUCTION takes you step by step through a typical flight course focused on earning your wings as a sport pilot. You’ll soon gain confidence in your proven flying skills and enjoy your time aloft. And you’ll learn what you need to know to pass your sport-pilot certificate on the first try.

SPORT FLYING shows you how much fun you can have as a sport pilot. It also covers the next logical steps in your growth and enjoyment as a pilot.

LIGHT-SPORT AIRCRAFT redirects you to SportFlying.aero, our sister-site that focuses on how to select, fund, and share a sport plane that fits both your flying needs and your pocketbook. You'll discover ways of saving hundreds and even thousands of dollars as you discover the thrill of becoming "pilot in command" of one of many types of aircraft that a sport pilot may fly.

FLYING BOOKS is your resource for learning more about sport flying with the many books available to student and licensed pilots. Your purchase from FlyingBookClub.com helps support this website.

Along the way, practical sidebars show you the safe and smart way to do things, define words and terms you might not be familiar with, point out any dangers or pitfalls, and give you other bits of helpful information.

Wing Tips

Here are some valuable tips from pilots, manufacturers, officials, and other aviation folks on how to get the most from your flying experience, as well as other related information you need to know.

Flying Words

What does that mean? Here you'll find a concise definition of important flying terms in context. Also check the Glossary for more definitions to make things clearer.

Stall Warning!

Sport planes are safe[md]if you pay attention! Here's how to fly safely and keep others safe as you discover the many thrills of sport flying.

Knowledge Test

You knew there would be a test! As appropriate, this site includes concise tips specifically aimed at helping you pass your FAA sport-pilot knowledge and practical tests. You'll ace it, ace!

This and other Mulligan Aviation websites offer cost-effective ways to fly general aviation aircraft. Fly safe!

--- Dan Ramsey, The Frugal Pilot