Sport Pilot

Take Flight Sooner, For Less

Becoming a pilot doesn’t have to take years or cost a fortune. Our Sport Pilot Training program is designed for those who want to experience the freedom of flight with shorter training time, lower overall cost, and a clear path to becoming a certificated pilot.

Sport Pilot Advantage

Efficient

Earn your certificate in half the time and cost vs. Private Pilot

Flexible

Fly modern Light Sport Aircraft (LSAs) for personal enjoyment or as a stepping stone toward advanced ratings.

MOASIC

New regulations allow Sport Pilots to fly larger aircraft previously reserved for Private Pilots

let’s go flying

Train in Pipistrel Alpha Trainers

We proudly use Pipistrel Alpha Trainers, state-of-the-art Light Sport Aircraft designed specifically for flight training. These aircraft are:

  • Efficient and economical, keeping operating costs low
  • Modern and safe, with advanced avionics and excellent handling
  • Perfect for students, offering a comfortable and confidence-building training environment

Exclusive LSA Rentals

We are the only flight school in the area that rents LSAs to our students. That means you can continue flying after your training at an affordable rate, building hours and experience without the high costs of traditional aircraft rental.

How the New MOSAIC Rules Benefit Sport Pilots

The FAA’s MOSAIC (Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification) rule, effective October 22, 2025, represents the biggest update to Sport Pilot privileges since the certificate was introduced in 2004

Expanded Privileges

  • More Aircraft Options: Sport Pilots are no longer limited by weight; instead, Light Sport Aircraft (LSAs) are defined by performance. This means you can fly aircraft with up to 4 seats, higher cruise speeds, retractable gear, and even electric propulsion.
  • Night Flying: With proper training and endorsements, Sport Pilots can now fly at night, opening up more flexibility for real-world flying.

What This Means for You

  • Shorter Training + Lower Cost: The Sport Pilot certificate remains the fastest and most affordable way to get in the air.
  • More Flexibility After Training: With MOSAIC, your certificate opens doors to more aircraft types and flying privileges than ever before.
  • Future-Proof Training: By learning in our Pipistrel Alpha Trainers, you’re already flying modern LSAs that fit perfectly into the new MOSAIC framework

Training Areas

  • Ground training covering regulations, aerodynamics, safety, performance, navigation, weather, radio procedures, and aeronautical decision making. We use the Sporty’s Private Pilot Ground School, which also includes the Sport Pilot training curriculum.
  • Preflight preparation
  • Preflight procedures
  • Airport operations
  • Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds
  • Performance maneuvers
  • Ground reference maneuvers
  • Navigation
  • Slow flight
  • Stalls
  • Emergency operations
  • Post-flight procedures

Eligibility Requirements

  • 17 years of age (can solo at 16)
  • Read, speak, write, and understand the English language
  • No FAA medical required if you hold a US driver’s license
  • Pass the FAA Sport Pilot Knowledge written test
  • Complete a minimum 20 hours of flight training (see below)
  • Pass the check ride with an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)

Required Flight Training Time

  • Minimum of 20 hours flight time:
    • 15 hours from a CFI
    • 2 hours cross-country training
    • 5 hours solo, including a 75nm solo cross-country flight
    • 10 takeoffs and landings to a full stop

Cost Breakdown

The national average for students to get their sport pilot certificate is 35 hours. With Austin Aviation’s dedicated approach to instruction, we can get motivated students check-ride-ready significantly faster.

A typical cost breakdown for zero-to-Sport:

35 hours airplane rental @ $180/hr$6300
45 hours instructor time (flight + ground) @ $80/hr$3600
Check ride with FAA Designated Pilot Examiner$1000
Supplies and Sporty’s Ground School$1000
Total$11,200