Sport Pilot Certification
The Sport Pilot Certificate is the fastest and most affordable way to earn your wings. At Atlas Aviation in Plant City, we provide a complete training program designed to get you flying safely and confidently in Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) while keeping time and costs manageable.
Prerequisites
Before starting your training, you must:
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Be at least 17 years old at the time of your checkride.
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Hold at least a valid U.S. driver’s license (in most cases, no FAA medical exam required).
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Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
Training Hours
FAA minimums for the Sport Pilot Certificate are:
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20 total flight hours
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15 hours of dual instruction with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)
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5 hours of supervised solo flight
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Training includes:
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Cross-country navigation
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Takeoffs, landings, and maneuvers
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Basic emergency procedures
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Costs
Estimated total cost: $6,500 – $8,500, depending on aircraft choice, study habits, and training frequency.
Examinations
To earn your certificate, you must pass two exams:
FAA Knowledge Test – a multiple-choice written exam on regulations, weather, navigation, and aerodynamics.
Practical Test (Checkride) – with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), including:
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Oral exam (1–2 hours of questions on flight planning, airspace, and safety).
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Flight test (1.0–1.5 hours in the aircraft demonstrating proficiency).
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Benefits of a Sport Pilot Certificate
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Lower Training Requirements – Compared to the Private Pilot Certificate, the Sport Pilot requires fewer hours and lower costs.
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Medical Flexibility – Most students only need a valid driver’s license (no FAA medical exam required).
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Quickest Path to the Sky – You can earn your license in fewer required hours.
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Counts Toward Higher Certificates – All hours logged can be applied toward a Private Pilot or higher certification in the future.
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Affordable Recreational Flying – Great for flying locally, taking a passenger, and enjoying aviation without a long training commitment.