---
kind: "section"
citation: "14 C.F.R. § 61.309"
title: "14"
number: "61.309"
heading: "What aeronautical knowledge must I have to apply for a sport pilot certificate?"
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/14/61.309"
---

# §61.309. What aeronautical knowledge must I have to apply for a sport pilot certificate?


To apply for a sport pilot certificate you must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor or complete a home-study course on the following aeronautical knowledge areas:

- (a) Applicable regulations of this chapter that relate to sport pilot privileges, limits, and flight operations.
- (b) **Accident reporting requirements of the National Transportation Safety Board.**
- (c) **Use of the applicable portions of the aeronautical information manual and FAA advisory circulars.**
- (d) Use of aeronautical charts for VFR navigation using pilotage, dead reckoning, and navigation systems, as appropriate.
- (e) Recognition of critical weather situations from the ground and in flight, windshear avoidance, and the procurement and use of aeronautical weather reports and forecasts.
- (f) Safe and efficient operation of aircraft, including collision avoidance, and recognition and avoidance of wake turbulence.
- (g) **Effects of density altitude on takeoff and climb performance.**
- (h) **Weight and balance computations.**
- (i) **Principles of aerodynamics, powerplants, and aircraft systems.**
- (j) **Stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery techniques, as applicable.**
- (k) **Aeronautical decision making and risk management.**
- (l) **Preflight actions that include—**
  - (1) How to get information on runway lengths at airports of intended use, data on takeoff and landing distances, weather reports and forecasts, and fuel requirements; and
  - (2) **How to plan for alternatives if the planned flight cannot be completed or if you encounter delays.**

## Notes

### Amendments

[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44869, July 27, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 61-125, 75 FR 5221, Feb. 1, 2010]

### Source

Source: Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44869, July 27, 2004, unless otherwise noted.

### Authority

Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 40113, 44701-44703, 44707, 44709-44711, 44729, 44903, 45102-45103, 45301-45302.

### Source

Source: Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[Docket FAA-2001-11133, 69 FR 44869, July 27, 2004, as amended by Amdt. 61-125, 75 FR 5221, Feb. 1, 2010]