To obtain a sport pilot license you need to pass both a practical FAA flight exam and a written test (except that the test is now done on a computer at an approved FAA location).

You must be at least 15 years old to take the knowledge exam and the exam results are good for 24 months. The assumption here is that you'll take the FAA practical flight test (also referred to as the checkride) within 24 months of taking the knowledge exam. If you don't take the practical flight test within 24 months of passing the knowledge exam you'll have to retake the knowledge exam.

The knowledge exam consists of a 40 question, multiple choice exam. You are given 2 hours to complete the test. A score of 70% is considered passing. There are several locations where you can take these exams in your local area. Click here to find out where they are.

Below are several examples of the types of questions you could be asked:

91. [F25/2/1]
An airplane and an airship are converging. If the airship is left of the airplane's position, which aircraft has the right of way?
A. The airship.
B. The airplane.
C. Each pilot should alter course to the right.

56. [G22/3/2]
When approaching to land on a runway served by a VASI, the pilot shall
A. maintain an altitude that captures the glideslope at
least 2 miles downwind from the runway threshold.
B. maintain an altitude at or above the glideslope.
C. remain on the glideslope & land between the two-light bar.

40. [I14/Figure 16]
Referring to the figure above, the airspace overlying Borrego Valley airport is uncontrolled from the surface to
A. 700 feet AGL.
B. 1,700 feet MSL.
C. 4,000 feet AGL.

The Workbook, which contains 1,800+ questions, is a companion to the Handbook. Using one with the other allows you to learn in a "programmed learning format," meaning you obtain immediate feedback on how well you've learned the material.

In the Workbook excerpted questions above, notice that each question is a three "number-letter" sequence in brackets. This identifies the page, the column and the paragraph where you'll find the answer to that particular question in the Handbook. For instance, in the figure below (an excerpt from the Workbook), the header for question one indicates that the answer can be found in the Handbook on Page F25, first column, first paragraph.

Looking at an excerpt of Page F25 of the Handbook below, the first paragraph of the first column shows the correct answer. And this is how the entire Handbook and Workbook is laid out. They are designed as programmed learning tools to give you the information you need to be a safe pilot as well as the information you need to pass the knowledge exam.

The sport pilot knowledge exam is category specific.When you enter the testing facility to take this exam you'll be asked if you want to take the Sport: airplane, balloon, airship, glider, powered parachute, weight-shift-control or gyroplane exam. The Private Pilot Handbook and Workbook will prepare you for the Sport Pilot Airplane exam only.

The sport pilot airplane's knowledge exam's questions (click here to see a list of all these questions) tests your knowledge the following areas:

• Airplanes and Aerodynamics
• Airplane Engines, Systems and Instruments
• Airports and Airspace
• Federal Aviation Regulations
• Aeromedical Factors and Aviation Decision Making
• Aviation Weather and Aviation Weather Services
• Basic Navigation (i.e., pilotage, dead reckoning) and Flight Planning
• Airplane Performance and Weight and Balance

The sport pilot knowledge exam doesn't test your knowledge in areas like electronic (GPS or VOR) navigation. Therefore, you can forgo reading Chapter 11 of this book. Then again, if you're planning on using any form of electronic navigation, it would make sense to read Chapter 11 thoroughly. Given that, you'll definitely want to read all the chapters in my private pilot handbook in preparation for your sport pilot knowledge exam. They contain essential information that, in my opinion, is necessary for you to fly safely.

Is this a tough exam to pass? In my opinion it's nearly impossible to fail this exam if you read my Handbook and answer the appropriate questions in the Workbook.

You should also read this sport pilot supplementary section to find information and answers to the latest sport pilot test questions. Remember, if you're planning on being a well educated pilot you'll want to read every single one of the chapters in the private pilot handbook.

I wrote, designed and published the private pilot book series to be a fun and enjoyable means of learning what you need to know to pass the knowledge exam and to become a safe pilot. It's based on over 35 years of aviation experience teaching others how to fly airplanes safely. Take a look at some of the comments I've received over the years and you'll realize it's a thorough, fun and enjoyable way to learn.

Keep in mind that the Handbook is also an audiobook on 30 professionally recorded CDs. So you can learn while you drive, while using the Handbook and Workbook as references and study tools for use when you're not at the wheel of your automobile.