Part of the journey to the completion of your sport pilot certification is a passing grade on the FAA sport pilot knowledge test.  The sport pilot “written” test is aircraft category specific and is administered in the same manner as the other FAA knowledge tests that are given for other pilot ratings through a computer testing service referred to as airmen knowledge testing sites.  A score of 70% or higher is required to receive a passing score.

You will be tested on seven areas of knowledge with no single area having more importance over another.  Just like any other FAA tests, the sport pilot knowledge test has a test bank of published questions and the test will also have some questions that are not published.    A total of 40 questions will be on each test and you will have 2 hours in which to complete the test.  The questions on the test will not be in any particular order.

The areas of knowledge covered by the test include:  regulations, weather and weather services, flight physiology, aircraft performance, airports and airspace, procedures and operations and cross country.  There are many preparatory books to help you prepare for the test as well as computer interactive software available for purchase.  Taking a ground school will help you understand in greater detail the importance of each area of knowledge in lieu of just memorizing the published questions and answers.  Many of the home study courses have sample practice tests to take and at the end of the course the publishers will issue a letter of recommendation for you to sit for the test.  Your flight instructor can also issue a letter of recommendation or sign your log book with the proper endorsement.

Once you have your test results your flight instructor is required to review the knowledge areas that you missed questions on prior to your oral and practical flight test with your examiner; each question is assigned a code to assist in the review of the areas in which you may have missed questions and the examiner is required to re-test you on the areas that you missed during your checkride.   It is imperative that you keep the original copy of your test results in a safe place as only the original, with the embossed seal from the testing facility, will be accepted by your examiner.

NEXT: Sport Pilot Practical Test

About the Author
Robin Burpee is the owner/manager at Destination Flight located at the Three Rivers Airport in Three Rivers Michigan.