SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/sport-airplane-20-hours

What is the minimum flight time for a sport pilot certificate in a single-engine airplane?

20 hours, including 15 dual and 5 solo.

Start playing free

  1. 20 hours ✔
  2. 30 hours
  3. 40 hours

Why: Section 61.313 requires at least 20 hours of flight time for a single-engine airplane sport pilot certificate. That includes 15 hours of instructor training and 5 hours of solo training.

Huh, didn't know that: Up to 2.5 hours in a qualified simulator or training device can count.

The dad joke
Why did the student pilot log every minute? Because every one counts toward 20 hours.
Like this card?
Play the game

References

Answer: 20 hours. Section 61.313 requires at least 20 hours of flight time for a single-engine airplane sport pilot certificate. That includes 15 hours of instructor training and 5 hours of solo training.

  1. 14 CFR 61.313 (eCFR) www.ecfr.gov/api/renderer/v1/content/enhanced/current/title-14?part=61&subpart=J
    Airplane category and single-engine land or sea class privileges, 20 hours of flight time, including at least 15 hours of flight training
    Checked 2026-10-11.

Think this answer is wrong? Tap "Challenge this answer" on the card in the game and tell us why.

Test yourself in the game

FlyingWhat is the minimum flight time for a sport pilot certificate in a powered parachute?FlyingHow many hours of glider flight time does a sport pilot glider certificate need without prior heavier-than-air time?FlyingHow long must the solo cross-country be for an airplane sport pilot certificate?

That's stuff everyone should know.