AC 61-146

Advisory circular · Pilot Certification and Operations for Sport Pilots, Flight Instructors with a Sport Pilot Rating, and Simplified Flight Controls

Approved
November 14, 2025
Last reviewed
November 18, 2025
Family
AC 61-146 · 1 version
14 CFR parts
61

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed December 5, 2025.

Show pages 8–19

Appendix A A-3 Rotorcraft-Helicopter If you hold a— And you are seeking— Then you must complete— Regulatory Reference Recreational pilot certificate or higher with a rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating without a simplified flight controls limitation.

To operate a rotorcraft-helicopter with simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

The training and endorsement required by 14 CFR § 61.31(l) for each M/M.

Title 14 CFR § 61.31(l).

Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL) or Airplane Single-Engine Sea (ASES) If you hold a— And you are seeking— Then you must complete— Regulatory Reference Sport pilot certificate with the following:

• ASEL privileges;

and

• Specific make and model (M/M) simplified flight controls limitation.

To operate a different M/M of ASEL aircraft with simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

The training and endorsement required by 14 CFR § 61.31(l) for each M/M.

Title 14 CFR § 61.45(h)(1).

Sport pilot certificate with the following:

• ASES privileges;

and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation.

To operate a different M/M of ASES aircraft with simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

The training and endorsement required by 14 CFR § 61.31(l) for each M/M.

Title 14 CFR § 61.45(h)(1).

Sport pilot certificate with the following:

• ASEL privileges;

and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation.

A recreational pilot certificate or higher with ASEL rating (with or without a simplified flight controls designation).

The applicable requirements for that grade of certificate, including a practical test.

Title 14 CFR part 61 applicable subpart, and subject to 14 CFR § 61.9.

Sport pilot certificate with the following:

• ASES privileges;

and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation.

A recreational pilot certificate or higher with ASES rating (with or without a simplified flight controls designation).

The applicable requirements for that grade of certificate, including a practical test.

Title 14 CFR part 61 applicable subpart, and subject to 14 CFR § 61.9.

Appendix A A-4 Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL) or Airplane Single-Engine Sea (ASES) If you hold a— And you are seeking— Then you must complete— Regulatory Reference Sport pilot certificate with the following:

• ASEL privilege (or ASES privilege);

and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation for airplane.

To operate a rotorcraft-helicopter category and class aircraft with simplified flight controls designation as an initial applicant for rotorcraft category and helicopter class at any certificate grade.

A practical test for that certificate (if applicable), category, and class of aircraft.

Title 14 CFR § 61.45(h)(2) and the applicable certificate requirements.

Sport pilot certificate with the following:

• ASEL privilege (or ASES privilege);

and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation for airplane.

To operate any rotorcraft or airplane category without simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

A practical test for that category and class of aircraft.

Title 14 CFR §§ 61.45(h)(2) and 61.316.

Sport pilot certificate with the following:

• ASEL privilege (or ASES privilege);

and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation for airplane.

To operate a different category and class, other than rotorcraft-helicopter category, at the same certificate level.

A proficiency check. Title 14 CFR § 61.321.

Recreational pilot certificate or higher with the following:

• ASEL rating; and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation.

To operate a different M/M of ASEL aircraft with a simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

The training and endorsement required by 14 CFR § 61.31(l) for each M/M.

Title 14 CFR § 61.45(h)(1).

Recreational pilot certificate or higher with the following:

• ASES rating; and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation.

To operate a different M/M of ASES aircraft with a simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

The training and endorsement required by 14 CFR § 61.31(l) for each M/M.

Title 14 CFR § 61.45(h)(1).

Appendix A A-5 Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL) or Airplane Single-Engine Sea (ASES) If you hold a— And you are seeking— Then you must complete— Regulatory Reference Recreational pilot certificate or higher with the following:

• ASEL rating; and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation.

To operate an ASES aircraft with a simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

A practical test for that category and class of aircraft.

Title 14 CFR § 61.45(h)(2) and the applicable certificate requirements.

Recreational pilot certificate or higher with the following:

• ASEL rating; and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation.

To operate an ASEL aircraft without a simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

A practical test for that category and class of aircraft equipped with conventional flight controls.

Title 14 CFR § 61.45(h)(2).

Recreational pilot certificate or higher with the following:

• ASES rating; and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation.

To operate an ASES aircraft without a simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

A practical test for that category and class of aircraft equipped with conventional flight controls.

Title 14 CFR § 61.45(h)(2).

Recreational pilot certificate or higher with the following:

• ASEL rating (or ASES rating);

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation for airplane; and

• Rotorcraft-helicopter rating.

To operate a rotorcraft-helicopter with a simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

The training and endorsement required by 14 CFR § 61.31(l) for each M/M.

Title 14 CFR §§ 61.45(h)(1) and 61.31(l)(1).

Recreational pilot certificate or higher with the following:

• ASEL rating (or ASES rating);

and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation for airplane.

To operate a rotorcraft-helicopter with a simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

The requirements to add another category and class rating on the applicable pilot certificate, including a practical test.

Title 14 CFR §§ 61.45(h)(2) and 61.63(b).

Appendix A A-6 Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL) or Airplane Single-Engine Sea (ASES) If you hold a— And you are seeking— Then you must complete— Regulatory Reference Recreational pilot certificate or higher with an ASEL rating without a simplified flight controls limitation.

To operate an ASEL aircraft with simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

The training and endorsement required by 14 CFR § 61.31(l) for each M/M.

Title 14 CFR § 61.31(l).

Recreational pilot certificate or higher with an ASES rating without a simplified flight controls limitation.

To operate an ASES aircraft with simplified flight controls designation at the same certificate level.

The training and endorsement required by 14 CFR § 61.31(l) for each M/M.

Title 14 CFR § 61.31(l).

Flight Instructors Other Than Flight Instructors With a Sport Pilot Rating (14 CFR Part 61 Subpart H) If you hold a— And you are seeking— Then you must meet the following requirements:

Regulatory Reference Commercial Pilot Certificate (or Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) Certificate) with rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating.

To provide initial flight instructor cadre training in a helicopter with a simplified flight controls designation.

(1) Receive a flight instructor certificate with a rotorcraft-helicopter rating;

(2) Receive and log model-specific training in that aircraft from an instructor pilot for the manufacturer of the aircraft; and

(3) Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from the instructor pilot certifying that the flight instructor is proficient in the safe operation of that model-specific aircraft and the associated simplified flight controls.

Title 14 CFR § 61.195(n).

Appendix A A-7 Flight Instructors Other Than Flight Instructors With a Sport Pilot Rating (14 CFR Part 61 Subpart H) If you hold a— And you are seeking— Then you must meet the following requirements:

Regulatory Reference Flight instructor certificate with rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating issued under 14 CFR part 61 subpart H.

To provide initial flight instructor cadre training in a helicopter with a simplified flight controls designation.

(1) Receive and log model-specific training in that aircraft from an instructor pilot for the manufacturer of the aircraft; and

(2) Receive a logbook or training record endorsement from the instructor pilot certifying that the flight instructor is proficient in the safe operation of that model-specific aircraft and the associated simplified flight controls.

Title 14 CFR § 61.195(n).

Flight instructor certificate with rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating issued under 14 CFR part 61 subpart H.

To provide training in a helicopter with a simplified flight controls designation.

Receive training and an endorsement specified in 14 CFR § 61.31(l).

Title 14 CFR § 61.195(m).

Flight instructor certificate with rotorcraft category and helicopter class rating issued under 14 CFR part 61 subpart H.

To instruct under 14 CFR part 61 subpart K in an airplane with simplified flight controls designation.

Complete a practical test for that category and class privilege.

Title 14 CFR § 61.419.

Appendix A A-8 Flight Instructor With a Sport Pilot Rating (14 CFR Part 61 Subpart K) If you hold a— And you are seeking— Then you must complete— Regulatory Reference Flight instructor certificate with the following:

• Sport pilot rating with a rotorcraft-helicopter privilege; and

• Specific make and model (M/M) simplified flight controls limitation.

To provide instruction in another M/M of rotorcraft-helicopter with a simplified flight controls designation.

The training and endorsement requirements specified in 14 CFR § 61.31(l) for each M/M.

Title 14 CFR §§ 61.31(l), 61.415(m), and 61.429(d).

Flight instructor certificate with the following:

• Sport pilot rating with a rotorcraft-helicopter privilege; and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation.

To provide training in an Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL) or Airplane Single-Engine Sea (ASES) with simplified flight controls designation.

A practical test for that category and class privilege.

Title 14 CFR § 61.419(e).

Flight instructor certificate with the following:

• Sport pilot rating with ASEL privilege; and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation.

To provide training in an ASEL without a simplified flight controls designation.

A practical test for that ASEL aircraft equipped with conventional flight controls.

Title 14 CFR § 61.45(h)(2).

Flight instructor certificate with the following:

• Sport pilot rating with ASEL privilege; and

• Specific M/M simplified flight controls limitation.

To provide training in other privileges than airplane or helicopter.

A proficiency check. Title 14 CFR § 61.419.

Advisory Circular Feedback Form If you find an error in this AC, have recommendations for improving it, or have suggestions for new items/subjects to be added, you may let us know by contacting the General Aviation and Commercial Division at 9-AFS-800-Correspondence@faa.gov or the Flight Standards Directives Management Officer at 9-AWA-AFB-120-Directives@faa.gov.

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