Updated PTS for Sport Pilot Ratings Released

Finalizing some alignment of sport pilot testing standards as a result of recent MOSAIC regulatory changes, the FAA has released updated Practical Test Standards for Sport Pilot certification efforts.

The following sport pilot PTS documents are now available:

FAA-S-8081-29B, Sport Pilot and Flight Instructors with a Sport Pilot Rating Practical Test Standards for Airplane Category, Rotorcraft Category Gyroplane, and Glider Category – Effective September 14, 2026

FAA-S-8081-30B, Sport Pilot and Flight Instructors with a Sport Pilot Rating Practical Test Standards for Lighter-Than-Air Category – Effective September 14, 2026

FAA-S-8081-31B, Sport Pilot and Flight Instructors with a Sport Pilot Rating Practical Test Standards for Powered Parachute Category and Weight-Shift-Control Aircraft Category – Effective September 14, 2026

These PTS documents can be found at:

https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_standards

You can learn more about the changes the FAA made from the NPRM in the final rule on the Federal Register page, Sport Pilot Practical Test Standards Alignment at:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/09/14/2026-18776/sport-pilot-practical-test-standards-alignment

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About Jason Blair

Jason Blair is an active single and multiengine instructor and an FAA Designated Pilot Examiner with over 6,000 hours total time, over 3,000 hours of instruction given, and more than 3000 hours in aircraft as a DPE. In his role as Examiner, over 2,000 pilot certificates have been issued. He has worked for and continues to work with multiple aviation associations with the work focusing on pilot training and testing. His experience as a pilot and instructor spans nearly 20 years and includes over 100 makes and models of aircraft flown. Jason Blair has published works in many aviation publications with a focus on training and safety.

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