The following is provided for CFI Renewal or Reinstatement
It should be noted that the CFI Renewal or Reinstatement regulations are commonly misunderstood. When the regulation reads “Sport Pilot Rating”, your typical Subpart H “private pilot” certificate is/includes the sport pilot rating. With an official legal interpretation from the FAA Airman Certification Standards to read as follows, “
—— Original Message ——
Received: 01:26 PM CDT, 10/07/2024
From: “Little, Tracey (FAA)”
To: Robert XXXXXXXXX
Subject: RE: SP-SPIE checkride question
Hi Robert,
The information below was sent to us by Policy on a similar question. I hope this helps.
The inquiry concerns the reinstatement of a subpart H flight instructor certificate by the conduct of a practical test accomplished with a sport pilot examiner.
The FAA recognizes that pilots with a higher grade of pilot or flight instructor certificate can exercise the privileges of a lower grade of certificate.
With that understanding and then reviewing § 61.427 What must I do if my flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating expires? and § 61.199 Reinstatement requirements of an expired flight instructor certificate, we have determined that an applicant can reinstate their Subpart H flight instructor certificate by accomplishing a practical test with a Sport Pilot DPE conducted in a light sport aircraft.
However, the flight instructor reinstatement practical test must be accomplished in the same category and class of aircraft, for the rating listed on the flight instructor’s expired certificate. Because this individual holds an expired flight instructor certificate (Subpart H) with an airplane single engine rating, he can elect to apply for reinstatement under the provision provided in § 61.427.
Have a great day.
Best regards,
Tracey Little, Program Analyst, Airmen Certification Branch
405-954-7049
END OF FAA LETTER
I went back and forth with Morrison on this so told him to go to the source. This also applies to many other references of “Sport Pilot”.
CFI Renewal
Instead of doing a FIRC, or other options on 61.425 /61.197 which typically includes detailed instrument procedures, not applicable to Sport CFIS, you can take a checkride per 61.425/61.197 with no endorsement to keep your CFI up to date.
This is an option for all CFI’s. However, if you are typically flying high performance aircraft, a sport pilot checkride is exactly that, an entry level checkride with all the procedures, endorsements, and regulations which high time pilots may not be familiar with. Additionally, some high time pilots have trouble adapting to the Light Sport Aircraft.
CFI Reinstatement
As listed in the Renewal information above, pilots whose flight instructor certification expired are in the same boat.
Both CFI Renewal and Reinstatement
The sport pilot environment, along with Light Sport Aircraft, is a completely different list of procedures, endorsements, and regulations.
Most high time pilots believe this “entry level” environment requires no preparation since they pretty much “know everything with so many hours” and sport pilot will be much easier. The reality is that this may not the case.
There are three aspects of the Sport Subpart K, as well as the Subpart H checkride:
- Flight skills at a competency greater than the pilot
- Teaching entry level Sport Pilots and
- Instructional knowledge of aeronautical knowledge, procedures, endorsements, and regulations specific to sport pilots.
Some high time pilots click right into flying the airplane, others can not easily adapt to the modern glass panel, extra sensitive flight controls, lightness of the aircraft in bumps, being closer to the runway, and the list goes on. The number of excuses for some high time pilots transitioning to Light Sport Aircraft is amazing.
So to answer the questions everybody wants to know to prepare for the checkride:
- How much $
- How long
This depends on you. If you want numbers:
- 5 to 20 hours LSA flight time
- 5 to 20 hours ground time
If you come to Sport Aviation Center to take a checkride, we highly suggest doing a mach checkride first to see where we are and than go from there.
If you want to prepare as best as you can before you get here, read, study, understand and prepare for the initial Sport Pilot Checkride to save as much time and money when you get here: Sport CFI Privileges.