Add Category/Class

Sport Pilots receive their initial training in some type of category and class of aircraft. However, at any point you can also ADD another category and class to your certificate and be eligible to fly those aircraft. I can provide the initial training or perform the proficieny check for the category and class of “airplane single engine land (ASEL)”. To better understand what a category and class would be, here is a breakdown as it applies to Sport Pilots and their Light Sport Aircraft:

Category

  • Airplane
  • Weight-Shift Control (WSC) trike
  • Powered Parachute

Class

  • Land
  • Sea

Distinct Category/Class listings

  • Airplane Single engine Land (ASEL)
  • Airplane Single Engine Sea (ASES)
  • Weight-shift Control Land (WSCL)
  • Weight-shift Control Sea (WSCS)
  • Powered Parachute Land (PPL)
  • Powered Parachute Sea (PPS)

To add another category and class Sport Pilots and Sport Pilot Certified Flight Instructors (CFIS) need to go through a special proficiency check to obtain the additional privileges.

To add a category or class at the sport pilot level, two CFI’s are needed per 61.321. The first one for a recommendation, the second one for the proficiency check as follows.

CFI #1

  • Receive training on aeronautical knowledge and skill per § 61.309 and § 61.311 for the additional light-sport aircraft category and/or class.
  • Receive logbook endorsement from this authorized instructor to take proficiency check.
  • Get CFI recommendation on the FAA Form 8710-11 for proficiency check.

CFI #2

  • Successfully complete a proficiency check from an authorized instructor other than the instructor who provided training and recommendation. The proficiency check for an additional category/class has all the same tasks in the Practical Test Standards (PTS) as the initial pilot checkride. The difference is that it is performed by a CFI rather than an FAA examiner or designated pilot examiner (DPE). DPE’s can , perform proficiency checks but they are acting as a flight instructor for the Proficiency check.
  • Receive a logbook endorsement from the instructor who conducted the proficiency check for the additional category and/or class. This instructor will fill out the proficiency check area on the 8710-11 and send the form directly to the FAA Registry within a maximum of 10 days so the added category/class goes on the pilots record with the FAA. Additional category/class at the sport pilot level are not added to the plastic pilot license/certificate. They are log book entries only.