How do I reinstate my flight instructor privileges if I fail to establish recent experience for my flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating?

If your sport pilot flight instructor certificate lapses because you didn't meet the recent experience requirements, you have two paths to reinstate your privileges depending on how long it's been:

If 3 months or less have passed since your experience period ended, you can either complete an approved flight instructor refresher course (ground training, flight training, or both) or use the alternative method described in paragraph (b).

If more than 3 months have passed, you must pass a practical test for one of the ratings on your sport pilot instructor certificate. You can take either the sport pilot instructor practical test (§61.405(b)) or the regular flight instructor practical test (§61.183(h)). Once you pass for any one rating, all privileges on your sport pilot instructor certificate are reinstated.

This regulation provides a pathway back to instructing after a lapse, with requirements that increase based on how long you've been inactive.

*This is a plain-English summary for study only. The official 14 CFR text on this page is controlling — always read the current regulation and consult a CFI.*