Sport Pilot

Light Sport Aircraft (LSA) are smaller, lower-powered aircraft that are incredibly fun to fly. In order to pilot an LSA, all that is required is a Sport Pilot certificate.

The Sport Pilot Certificate is also the only powered aircraft certificate that does not require a medical clearance. A valid vehicle driver’s license may be used as proof of medical competence, provided the prospective pilot was not rejected for his or her last Airman Medical Certificate.

That said, a Sport Pilot certificate still requires hours of training. Thanks to our Cessna Pilot Center status, Lanier Flight Center can make the process as streamlined as possible.

Although the FAA requires a minimum of 40 hours total flight time for a Private Pilot certification the national average to earn the certification is 75 hours. Lanier Flight students typically earn their certifications in an average of 53 hours. We attribute this to a number of factors, including:

• A dedicated, full-time staff of professional instructors who work under the close supervision of senior pilots with thousands of hours experience at the highest levels.
• A fleet made up of virtually brand-new planes that can serve all the needs of our students
• In-house maintenance performed on-site at Gainesville’s Lee Gilmer Memorial Airport by FAA certified mechanics — a commitment to excellence that keeps our fleet safe and flying