What are the Limitations for a Sport Pilot?

These limitations are found under FAR 61.315 and they are as follows:

• Sport Pilots are limited to “light sport aircraft” or LSAs where an LSA is defined as:
  • An aircraft (not intended for water use) with a 1320 lb max certified gross weight; and…
  • An aircraft with a maximum of 2 seats
  • An aircraft without retractable landing gear
  • Examples include restricted category aircraft, experimental aircraft or weight-shift-control aircraft
• Sport Pilots may share the operating expenses of a flight with a passenger, provided the expenses involve only fuel, oil, airport expenses, or aircraft rental fees. A Sport Pilot must pay at least half the operating expenses of the flight.
• Sport Pilots may NOT act as pilot in command of an LSA…
  • That is carrying a passenger or property for compensation or hire
  • For compensation or hire
  • in furtherance of a business
  • While carrying more than one passenger
  • At night
    • Where night is defined as the time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight, not sunset. 
  • in Class A airspace
  • In Class B, C, and D airspace, at an airport located in Class B, C, or D airspace, and to, from, through, or at an airport having an operational control tower unless you have met the requirements specified in 61.325
    • FAR 61.325 describes the training and experience required to be logged in order to receive an endorsement to be able to fly in the above areas as a Sport Pilot. So in other words, you can operate in the above areas as long as you received training and an endorsement in those areas from a certified instructor. 
  • Outside the U.S., unless you have prior authorization from the country in which you seek to operate. Your Sport Pilot certificate carries the limit “Holder does not meet ICAO requirements.”
  • Fly over densely populated areas if the aircraft is a restricted category or experimental
  • To demonstrate the aircraft in flight to a prospective buyer if you are an aircraft salesperson
  • In a passenger-carrying airlift sponsored by a charitable organization
  • At an altitude of more than 10,000 ft. MSL or 2000 ft. AGL, whichever is higher
    • For example: If you are flying over a mountain that is 5,000 feet above sea level, then your “2,000 ft AGL” would be at a height of 7,000 feet MSL, meaning the 10,000 ft MSL limit would be the higher altitude in this case.
  • When the flight or surface visibility is less than 3 statute miles (SM)
  • Without visual reference to the surface
  • Above 120 knots airspeed
  • If the aircraft:
    • Has a Vh greater than 87 knots Calibrated Airspeed (CAS), unless the pilot has met the requirements of 61.327(b)
    • Has a Vh of less than or equal to 87 knots CAS, unless you have met the requirements of 61.327(a) or have logged flight time as pilot in command of an airplane with a Vh less than or equal to 87 knots CAS before April 2, 2010
      • Vh is the maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power for your aircraft
      • FAR 61.327(a) and 61.327(b) describe the training and experience required to receive an endorsement to fly in an LSA below or above a Vh of 87 knots CAS
  • Contrary to any operating limitation placed on the airworthiness certificate of the aircraft being flown
  • Contrary to any limit on your pilot certificate or airman medical certificate, or any other limit or endorsement from an authorized instructor
  • Contrary to any restriction or limitation on your U.S. Driver’s License or any restriction or limitation imposed by judicial or administrative order when using your driver’s license to satisfy a requirement of this part
  • While towing any object
  • As a pilot flight crewmember on any aircraft for which more than one pilot is required by the type certificate of the aircraft or the regulations under which the flight is conducted