When learning to fly, you may choose to earn a sport, recreational, or private pilot certificate. Compare some of the basic requirements for the three certificates in this convenient chart.
Flight Experience (Part 61) |
Sport Pilot Certificate minimum hours |
Recreational Certificate |
Private Certificate |
Total Hours |
20 |
30 |
40 |
Dual |
15 |
15 |
20 |
Dual Cross Country |
2 |
2 (25 nautical miles or more) |
3 (50 nautical miles or more) |
Solo |
5 |
3 |
10 |
Solo Cross Country |
One solo cross-country flight of at least 75 nautical miles total distance, with a full-stop landing at a minimum of two points and one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 25 nautical miles between the takeoff and landing locations |
0 |
5 |
Night Flight |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Flight by Reference to Instruments |
0 |
0 |
3 |
Practical Test Prep |
2 |
3 |
3 |
|
LIMITATIONS |
||
|
Sport |
Recreational |
Private |
Passengers |
1 |
1 |
No Limit |
Aircraft |
Light sport aircraft |
Restrictions based on operating privilege |
Restrictions based on operating privilege |
Engines |
1 |
1 |
1* |
Seats |
2 |
4 |
No Limit |
Horsepower |
Not specified (but max speed 120 knots) |
180 |
200* |
Retractable Gear |
No |
No |
No* |
Altitude |
10,000 |
10,000 |
18,000* |
Airspace |
Class G&E only* |
Class G&E only* |
No Class A* |
Night Flying |
No |
No |
Yes |
Business Related |
No |
No |
Yes |
Flight w/o Ref. To Ground |
No |
No |
Yes |
Outside U.S. |
No |
No |
Yes |
Charity |
No |
No |
Yes |
Towing |
No |
No |
Yes |
*Indicates a limitation may be removed with additional training, endorsements and/or ratings.
