Sport Pilot or Private Pilot

When I first began my flight training, I didn’t really know the difference between sport pilot and private pilot certifications. I had been accepted into a program called Able Flight, which provides scholarships for people who are disabled to be able to learn how to fly, and Able Flight helps these people get their sport pilot certificate. So, that’s what I did. 

As I got farther into the training I realized why Able Flight chose the sport pilot certification for its pilots. People with disabilities often have more medical issues, and in order to get a private pilot certificate, you need to get a medical certificate as well. The sport pilot certificate only requires a person to have a driver’s license. This means that you don’t have to be scrutinized by an aviation medical examiner (AME) and potentially be denied your ability to fly. 

You might be thinking, “Couldn’t you just try for the medical? If you get denied, then you could just go for the sport pilot.” Unfortunately, that’s not how it works. If you are denied a medical, you lose your privilege to fly altogether. The driver’s license would no longer work as a medical, and you wouldn’t even be able to get your sport pilot certificate. There is an appeal process, but that can take years and there is no guarantee that the FAA will overturn their decision. That’s one of the big reasons to go for a sport pilot certificate instead of a private pilot one.

There are other considerations as well. It really depends on what your goals are. A sport pilot certificate comes with less privileges and more restrictions than a private pilot one. It’s limited to VFR flying during the day, there are weight limits on the aircraft, and you can only take one passenger. A private pilot certificate allows you to fly more powerful planes, carry passengers, and do things like instrument flying. It also is required if you want to eventually move on to becoming a commercial pilot and flying as a career. 

If you just want to be able to fly for fun and aren’t worried about the extra privileges or making flying into a career, a sport pilot certificate is a great option. It can still be a good stepping stone to a private pilot certificate. If you get a sport pilot certificate, you won’t have much to do if you eventually decide you do want to go for the private pilot certification. All the training and flight time you’ve done carries over. You won’t have to redo anything, as long as you are still proficient. 

There is also a proposal by the FAA called MOSAIC, which could be passed in the near future. This would increase the privileges for sport pilots, allowing them to fly larger and more powerful aircraft. If the size of the aircraft you are allowed to fly is a concern for you, it might be worth getting the sport pilot certificate and waiting for MOSAIC, especially if you have concerns about passing a medical exam. If you have ambitions of going farther with your aviation career, then you should work on getting your medical as soon as possible and shoot for the private pilot certificate. 

It really just depends on what your goals are and if you have any medical issues that could be a problem, such as medications you take or diagnoses like epilepsy or heart disease. If you have concerns, talk with an AME before applying for a medical certificate and make sure your condition won’t disqualify you. Hopefully, with this information, you can make a better decision on whether a sport pilot or private pilot certificate is right for you.