Sport Pilot Training

Requirements:

  • You must be 16 years old to solo, 17 years old to take your checkride.
  • Read, write, and understand English.
  • You must possess a valid US driver’s license.
  • Complete a written test and practical test.
  • Complete the following minimum requirements.
airplanes

20 Hours Minimum Flight Time

The FAA requires this to consist of 15 hours minimum of flight training with an instructor (Dual Instruction) and 5 hours minimum of solo flying in a single engine airplane. See a breakdown of what your flying requirements look like:

15 Hours Dual Flight Instruction Including:

  • 2 hours of cross country flight training in a single engine airplane
  • 2 hours of flight training in a single engine airplane within the 60 days prior to the practical test (a.k.a your “checkride”).

5 Hours Solo Flight Time Including:

  • 1 solo cross-country of at least 75nm including:
  • a full stop landing at a minimum of 2 points
  • one segment of the flight consisting of a straight-line distance of at least 25nm between takeoff and landing
  • 10 take-offs and landings to a full-stop with a complete lap in the traffic pattern for each
No FAA medical certificate required (with valid U.S. driver’s license)

What airplanes in our fleet can you fly?

Cessna 152’s and 172’s

Piper Archer’s

Citabria 

Cost Breakdown

Membership Tier:

Standard Rate

elite tier
DescriptionRateHoursSubtotal
Airplane – Dual$16515$2475
Airplane – Solo$1655$825
Airplane – Checkride$1652$330
Flight Instruction$10915$1,635
Ground Instruction$10910$1,090
Online Ground School$299$299
Examiner Fee**$1,000$1,000
Total$7,654

*As of May 2026

**Fee varies by examiner

****Airplane rate based on Piper Archer

*****Overall cost will depend on student performance. The listed price is only an estimate based on the minimum required hours.

Membership Tier:

Premium Club

DescriptionRateHoursTotal
Airplane – Dual$14015$2100
Airplane – Solo$1405$700
Airplane – Checkride$1402$280
Flight Instruction$10915$1,635
Ground Instruction$10910$1,090
Online Ground School$299$299
Examiner Fee**$1,000$1,000
Subtotal$7,104
1.5 Hours Free Instruction-$133.50
Total$6.970.50

*As of May 2026

**Fee varies by examiner

***Premium Club buy in $399, Monthly dues $79

****Airplane rate based on Piper Archer

*****Overall cost will depend on student performance. The listed price is only an estimate based on the minimum required hours.

Membership Tier:

Elite Club

DescriptionRateHoursTotal
Airplane – Dual$14015$2100
Airplane – Solo$1405$700
Airplane – Checkride$1402$280
Flight Instruction$10915$1,635
Ground Instruction$10910$1,090
Online Ground School$299$299
Examiner Fee**$1,000$1,000
Subtotal$7,104
1.5 Hours Free Instruction-$133.50
10% Instruction Discount-$256.15
Total$6,714.35

*As of May 2026

**Fee varies by examiner

***Elite Club buy in $499, Monthly dues $129

****Airplane rate based on Piper Archer

*****Overall cost will depend on student performance. The listed price is only an estimate based on the minimum required hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Sport Pilot Certificate?

It’s a streamlined FAA license that allows you to fly small, two-seat light sport aircraft during daylight hours under good weather conditions.

You must log at least 20 total hours, including 15 hours of dual instruction and 5 hours of solo flight time.

No FAA medical certificate is needed if you hold a valid U.S. driver’s license and meet its health standards.

Yes, you’ll complete at least one solo cross-country over 75 NM with two landings. You may fly cross-country under Sport Pilot rules within approved airspace.

Yes, with proper training and endorsement from a certified flight instructor you may fly at night.

Yes, with proper training and endorsement from a certified flight instructor you may fly into controlled airspace.

Yes, with tailwheel training and endorsement from a certified flight instructor you may fly tailwheel airplanes if they meet the requirements for light sport aircraft.

Yes, with complex aircraft training and endorsement from a certified flight instructor you may fly retractable gear airplane if they meet the requirements for light sport aircraft.

Yes, as long as you have a valid US driver’s license and have not had your medical certificate revoked or deferred.

Yes! Our fleet of Cessna 152’s, 172’s, Piper Archers, and Citabria meet the certification for light sport category and are available for rent!

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Lake Elmo Aero, LLC
Liability Release

I, (PARTICIPANT MENTIONED ABOVE) voluntarily desire to take an airplane (collectively, “Aircraft”) ride, pilot an Aircraft, rent an Aircraft, and/or train to pilot an Aircraft (collectively, the “Activity”), as well as to participate in the associated activities including, but not limited to, boarding, deplaning and/or walking on the runway and/or around the Aircraft, etc. (the “Associated Activities”), with LAKE ELMO AERO, LLC (collectively, the “Company”). Such activities may result in bodily injury, death, and property damage. I understand and acknowledge that engaging in any of the above activities are purely voluntary and I have made the decision to participate of my own free will. I also understand and acknowledge that, but for my voluntary execution of this Release of Liability (“Release”), the Company would not allow me to be in or otherwise near any Aircraft or participate in any Activity or the Associated Activities.

1. RELEASE AND COVENANT NOT TO SUE. I, on behalf of myself, my heirs, successors, assigns, agents, trusts, beneficiaries, executors, administrators, guardians, and legal representatives (individually or in any group; collectively, “Releasor”), hereby exempt, release, acquit, forever discharge, and hold harmless the Company, their respective officers, directors, members, administrators, trusts, managers, agents, representatives, servants, employees, successors, and/or assigns (individually or in any group, “Affiliates” and collectively with the Company, the “Releasees”), whether acting on behalf of the Company, or individually, from any and all liability, claims, losses, payments, harm, damages, costs, demands, claims and expenses of every nature whatsoever (collectively, “Damages”), whether in contract or in tort or under any other legal theory, arising out of my participation in the Activity and/or any Associated Activities. Releasor further agrees not to make any claim against, sue, or attach the property of anyone or more Releasees for any bodily injury, death, loss, or damage to personal property, or other damages, including those resulting in whole or in part from the negligence of the Releasees or other acts or omissions of the Releasees resulting from my participation in any Activity and/or Associated Activities.

2. ASSUMPTION OF RISK. I am not required to participate in the Activity or any Associated Activities. I freely and voluntarily choose to assume all of the risks inherent in the Activity and the Associated Activities, including, but not limited to, risks of negligent conduct of others, equipment or aircraft malfunction, improper or negligent operation of Aircraft, including those risks resulting in whole or in part from the Releasees’ own negligence or unintentional acts, but excluding gross negligence or willful misconduct.

3. INDEMNITY AGAINST CLAIMS. Releasor agrees to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Releasees against any and all losses, judgments, or damages, arising out of any claims, demands actions, causes of action, and/or proceedings of every nature whatsoever (collectively, “Claims”), including but not limited to attorney and legal fees at trial and appellate levels, which may be presented or initiated by any person or entity, arising out of my participation in any activity and/or Associated Activities, and/or concerning the enforcement of or legal challenge to this Release.

4. LEGAL. This Release is governed under Minnesota law, without regard to conflict of law principles. The exclusive venue for any action arising hereunder shall be in the state and federal courts located in Washington County, Minnesota, and the parties hereby consent to the jurisdiction of such courts. In any action relating to this Release, Releasor hereby WAIVES ANY RIGHT TO A JURY TRIAL.