Sport Pilot Certificate

Sport Pilot is the new way to fly that is easier, more affordable, safe, and loads of fun! Sport Pilot enables enthusiasts to learn to fly and gain access to aircraft in half the time and for half the cost of previous alternatives, and without having an FAA medical exam!.  In fact, you can learn to fly with as little as 20 instructional  hours!


With a sport pilot certificate, you can:

• Fly to most general aviation airports in the United States.
• Fly any one or two seat certificated light sport aircraft.
• Fly during daylight hours only.
• Rent or purchase our light sport aircraft any time you like.

To be eligible for a sport pilot certificate, you must:

• Be at least 17 years old.
• Possess a valid drivers' license.
  

What must I do to earn a sport pilot certificate?
The first step in earning your sport pilot certificate is to arrange a brief visit with Bob Miller Flight Training, Inc. (BMFT), located at the Buffalo-Lancaster Airport, 4343 Walden Avenue (5 miles east of Transit Road), Lancaster, NY 14086.

We will provide you with a free flight in one of our new light sport aircraft.  By taking the controls, you will see just how easy it is to soar like a bird high above the airport!  You will view the City of Buffalo, Ralph Wilson Stadium, and perhaps the neighborhood you live in.

If you enjoy your flying experience (and we know you will), we'll have you complete a brief student pilot application and then schedule your first in-flight lesson.

How long will it take to earn my sport pilot certificate?
It requires a minimum of 15 hours of dual flight instruction plus 5 hours of supervised solo flight to earn your sport pilot certificate.  You will also receive between 15 and 20 hours of ground instruction.

Your total instruction time (flight and ground) totals approximately 40 hours. Each lesson takes 3 hours to complete. (Total time required may vary depending upon local weather, aircraft availability, and inherent student piloting skills. ) The table below shows how long it will take to earn your sport pilot certificate:

Accelerated sport pilot training is also available for individuals wishing to engage in full-time training.  BMFT has special arrangements with area hotels and inns for people coming to Buffalo for accelerated flight training.

How much can I expect to pay to earn my sport pilot certificate?
Your training costs are divided into three categories as follows:

* Total costs may very depending upon actual time required to complete the instruction.
All training costs are incurred on a "pay-as-you-go" basis.  No advance payments are required.  BMFT offers low-interest financing to credit-eligible students.  We accept all forms of payment, e.g, cash, check, credit card.

What kind of light sport aircraft will I be training in?
BMFT uses only NEW light sport aircraft in its training fleet.  One such aircraft is our "Navigator 600 LSA".

This aircraft is equipped with a computerized glass panel including a GPS navigation system.  It can carry two people weighing up to 250 pounds each and has a range of over 400 miles!

BMFT also has a Cessna Skycatcher on order. This is the industry's newest and most technologically advanced addition to the light sport aircraft market.

Can I move up to more advanced pilot ratings after earning my sport pilot certificate?
Absolutely! Our sport pilot training curriculum is fully integrated with the private, instrument, and commercial pilot rating and certificate training programs. 

Please note that training and experienced acquired in earning a sport pilot certificate can be credited toward the completion requirements of the private pilot certificate.

After earning your sport pilot certificate, you can transition smoothly into our larger Cessna 172SP Skyhawk aircraft (pictured left).  These are four-seat, glass cockpit equipped aircraft featuring autopilots, traffic and terrain avoidance technology, and in-flight weather depiction equipment.

For more information on this or any other BMFT flight training programs, please call 716-864-8100.