Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for EAA's Sport Pilot Academy, you must:
- Be at least 17 years old.
- Be a U.S. citizen.
- Hold a valid U.S. driver's license as proof of medical eligibility.
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
- Meet the height and weight limitations listed below.
- Have a clear understanding and are willing to meet the challenges listed below under the section titled Dedication and Commitment.
Limitations
A light-sport aircraft has a maximum weight limit of not more than 1320 pounds. Due to this limitation, the airplanes we use for our Sport Pilot Academy have weight and height restrictions. Sport Pilot Academy applicants should weigh no more than 190 pounds and be no taller than 6'1". If you are outside of these limitations, it will prohibit you from completing the sport pilot license required training minimums.
Application Process
Verification of Eligibility Requirements
Before you place a deposit to hold a seat on your desired class dates, we need to verify that you meet the required eligibility requirements. EAA does this through an application process. If you want to attend EAA’s Sport Pilot Academy, click the link below to fill out the application. Once we confirm that you meet all of the requirements, you will move on to the next phase of the application process.
Course Deposit
Once we have verified that you meet the eligibility requirements of EAA’s Sport Pilot Academy, we will send you a link where you can place your deposit to secure a spot in the academy of your choice. Upon receiving your deposit, EAA will send you course access to the Sportys Online Sport Pilot Ground School and Garmin’s G3X Touch Certified Essentials eLearning Course so you can start working on the required course prerequisites.
Successfully Completing the Course in Three Weeks
Dedication and Commitment:
Offsite:
EAAs Sport Pilot Academy is a fast-paced, fully immersive training course that requires much upfront work before arrival in Oshkosh. You must complete all of the course pre-work before your arrival. This course pre-work includes completing the Sportys Online Sport Pilot Ground School and passing the FAA Sport Pilot written test. You will also need to complete the Garmin G3X Touch Certified Essentials eLearning Course and receive the Certificate of Completion.
Onsite
Due to the condensed timeframe, you will have to devote a remarkable amount of focus and effort over the three weeks here in Oshkosh. Sport Pilot Academy students must be able to handle a minimum of an eight-hour training day that includes classroom, advanced aviation training device, flight, and self-study time.
A Hybrid Approach to Classroom Learning:
EAA's instructional strategy for the classroom is unique in the flight training industry. Using the Flipped Classroom Concept, our teaching space applies a more modern learning methodology. The traditional instructor lecture will be replaced by having students receive this foundational knowledge outside the school utilizing online learning, video, and student guidance materials. The EAA classroom now becomes a dynamic and engaging environment that promotes critical thinking skills. Students achieve their goals faster, with more personalized attention, more time getting answers to specific questions, and more opportunities to experience hands-on, critical thinking, and visualization activities.
Course Materials
EAA will provide you with the following essential course materials:
- Sporty's Online Sport Pilot Ground School course
- Garmin G3X Touch Certified Essential eLearning Course
- EAA Sport Pilot Academy Flight Bag
- EAA Sport Pilot Academy Syllabus
- Kneeboard
- Pilot logbook
- CX-3 flight computer
- Sectional plotter
Reference Publications:
- The Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge
- The Airplane Flying Handbook
- FAA Airmen Certification Standards
- RV-12 pilot's operating handbook and flight training supplement
- VFR sectional charts
EAA will provide you with a headset during training, but you are free to bring and use your own if desired.
Course Curriculum
EAA's Sport Pilot training approach capitalizes on the right blend of training materials that enables a connected learning environment and an actively engaged classroom. By integrating online products and student guidance materials, EAA uses a system that supports academy students and instructors in managing the learning process from self-study to the classroom to the flight deck.
Academic Training
Lab activities are used as a replacement for traditional lecture-based knowledge transfer. The labs are engaging and foster peer participation. It places learners in an environment where they can experience a dynamic and engaging teaching space that concentrates on critical thinking skills, hands-on, and visualization activities. The classroom activities build off the foundational knowledge you acquired outside the school utilizing online learning, video, and student guidance materials.
The theoretical portion of the training course contains 18 lessons and focuses on topics such as:
- Aerodynamic theory
- Flight controls
- Airport operations
- Radio communications
- Federal regulations, certificates, and documents
- National Airspace System
- Flight planning and navigation
- Aeromedical and human factors
- Principles of flight
- Weight and balance
- Flight instruments
- Aircraft systems
- Weather
- Maintenance and inspections
- Aeronautical decision-making and risk management
Flight Training Device and Aircraft Training
EAA utilizes a fully integrated Sport Pilot curriculum where academic lessons align closely with the upcoming flight lesson. Our curriculum incorporates instructor-led and self-guided Advanced Aviation Training Device (AATD) sessions incorporating live air traffic control. We also include our crosswind training device to help you formulate the right skills and techniques during the most challenging landings.
You will practice the following items until you meet the FAA Practical Test Standards for the Sport Pilot License.
- Normal procedures
- Slow flight and stalls
- Ground reference maneuverers
- Performance maneuvers
- Pattern work/takeoffs and landings
- Emergency procedures
- Solo and cross-country milestones
- Preparation for checkride
Following satisfactory completion of ground school, flight training milestones, and all associated tasks, student pilots will take their sport pilot practical test, or checkride, with an FAA-designated pilot examiner (DPE).
Class Size and Faculty
Our certified flight instructors were hand-selected and trained for this program. They are dedicated to your training, in flight and academically, so if you have questions or need additional time, you'll get it without paying extra. The class size is limited to four students, with a maximum of two students per instructor. This ensures the highest levels of quality instruction and focused attention.
Please note: Although EAA fully intends for every student to leave the course with a Sport Pilot certificate in hand and will make every effort to do so, the issuance of your certificate cannot be guaranteed. In rare cases, various factors beyond the control of EAA, such as weather, student aptitude, or physical abilities may prevent a student from earning their certificate.
The "Only in Oshkosh" Experience
While training in Oshkosh, EAA will offer a variety of unique activities, including:
- Guest speakers and meet-and-greets
- EAA Aviation Museum and behind-the-scenes tours
- Flight experiences in a variety of EAA aircraft
- KOSH air traffic control tower tour
- And much more!
Training Fees
The total training fee is $11,499.00, which includes the use of school aircraft and equipment, fuel, flight instruction, lodging, meals, and other associated costs (i.e., examiner fees and museum admission); the only associated costs not included in the training fee is the FAA knowledge test fee (approximately $175.00).
For more information, please contact sportpilotacademy@eaa.org.
