Reference
Glossary
Plain-language meanings of terms you'll see while studying.
- BasicMed
- An alternative to an FAA medical certificate under §61.113(i). Under MOSAIC it is one way to meet the medical requirement for sport pilot night flight.
- 14 CFR §61.329(b) · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- Calibrated airspeed (CAS)
- Indicated airspeed corrected for position and instrument error. Sport pilot speed limits are stated in CAS.
- 14 CFR §1.1 · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- Category
- A broad group of aircraft for pilot certification, such as airplane, rotorcraft, glider, or lighter-than-air.
- 14 CFR §1.1 · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- Ceiling
- The height above the ground of the lowest cloud layer reported as broken, overcast, or obscuration.
- 14 CFR §1.1 · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- Class
- A group of aircraft within a category that fly similarly, such as single-engine land or single-engine sea.
- 14 CFR §1.1 · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- Class A airspace
- High-altitude controlled airspace. Sport pilots may never operate in Class A.
- 14 CFR §61.315(c)(6) · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- Class B, C and D airspace
- Controlled airspace around busier airports. Sport pilots need training and an instructor endorsement before using it.
- 14 CFR §61.325 · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- CTAF
- Common Traffic Advisory Frequency: the radio frequency pilots use to announce their position at an airport without an operating tower.
- FAA Aeronautical Information Manual · Reviewed 2026-11-08
- Endorsement
- A signed logbook entry from an authorized instructor stating you completed specific training and are proficient. Many sport pilot privileges require one.
- 14 CFR Part 61 Subpart J · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- Flight visibility
- How far ahead you can see and identify prominent objects from the cockpit in flight. Sport pilots need at least 3 statute miles.
- 14 CFR §1.1; §61.315(c)(12) · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- Knowledge test
- The written FAA exam on the aeronautical knowledge areas in §61.309. It requires an instructor endorsement first.
- 14 CFR §61.307(a) · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- Light-sport category
- The aircraft certification category under parts 21 and 22 since July 24, 2026. It replaced the old "light-sport aircraft" definition.
- 14 CFR Part 22 · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- METAR
- A routine weather observation report for an airport.
- FAA Aviation Weather Handbook / PHAK · Reviewed 2026-11-08
- MOSAIC
- Modernization of Special Airworthiness Certification: the FAA rule that expanded sport pilot privileges (Oct 22, 2025) and created light-sport category certification (Jul 24, 2026).
- FAA MOSAIC Fact Sheet · Reviewed 2026-11-08
- Night
- The time between the end of evening civil twilight and the beginning of morning civil twilight.
- 14 CFR §1.1 · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- Pilot in command (PIC)
- The pilot with final authority and responsibility for the flight's operation and safety.
- 14 CFR §1.1 · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- Practical test (checkride)
- The flight test and oral exam with an examiner, graded against the Sport Pilot PTS. It requires an instructor endorsement first.
- 14 CFR §61.307(b) · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- PTS
- Practical Test Standards: the FAA document listing what is tested on the checkride. The Sport Pilot Airplane PTS is FAA-S-8081-29B (effective Sept 14, 2026).
- FAA-S-8081-29B · Reviewed 2026-11-08
- Solo flight
- Flight time when a student pilot is the only person aboard. It requires instructor endorsements under §61.87.
- 14 CFR §61.87 · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- TAF
- Terminal Aerodrome Forecast: a weather forecast for the area around an airport.
- FAA Aviation Weather Handbook / PHAK · Reviewed 2026-11-08
- VH
- Maximum speed in level flight with maximum continuous power. Sport pilots need an endorsement based on whether VH is above, or at or below, 87 knots CAS.
- 14 CFR §1.2; §61.327 · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- VS0
- Stall speed or minimum steady flight speed in the landing configuration. Light-sport category airplanes are limited to 61 knots CAS.
- 14 CFR §1.2; Part 22 · Reviewed 2026-11-09
- VS1
- Stall speed in a specific configuration. For sport pilot eligibility, airplanes must have a clean VS1 of no more than 59 knots CAS.
- 14 CFR §1.2; §61.316 · Reviewed 2026-11-09