Comparison Chart: Airplane Single-Engine
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 minimum hours |
Private Certificate minimum hours |
|
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.
You Can Fly !
This beginning pilots' resource guide explains what you can expect from your introductory flight through initial training— and how to turn your dream of flying into reality. Simply enter your name and email address.
