Paper application process for Glider Add-On thru a Proficiency Check performed by a CFIG and draft AC 61-65k

[Lawrence Spinetta]

On the SSA Recruiting and Retention meeting this week, we discussed MOSAIC changes to the Sport Pilot License. Below is the FAA instructions to process  paper applications for Glider Category Add-On Proficiency Checks performed by a CFIG: https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/sport_pilot/media/proficiency_check.pdf

Additionally, here is the new (draft )AC 61-65K, which is hugely helpful for understanding all the MOSAIC changes and endorsements:  

https://www.faa.gov/aircraft/draft_docs/afs_ac/AC_61-65K_Coord_Copy.pdf

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[Cliff Hilty]

So just to be clear, it sounds like as a CFIG I can give a "proficiency" check to any rated (certificate holder) in any class or category of aircraft to add on there sport pilot rating in gliders. If they have no ratings the a DPE or ASI has to do a practical test? Do I have that right Lawrance?

Cliff

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[Lawrence Spinetta]

Yes.   A powered aircraft or helicopter pilot who already has a license simply needs to get an endorsement from one CFIG and a proficiency check from a second CFIG to earn a sport pilot glider add-on. 

This is a powerful licensing pathway for clubs to use, especially given the massive dearth of glider DPEs.  

Additionally, a powered aircraft CFI can become a sport pilot glider instructor using the same path. 

MOSAIC is pretty revolutionary as it removes a ton of  the old support pilot rules.  You can now fly, for example, a C182 under a sport pilot license. 

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[Jeff Banks]

This is great. Getting other category pilots on the glider ports. 

We in the glider community need to replace the word “powered” with “airplane” unless we are talking about the “Powered Lift” Category.  Sorry just a pendant point. 

Sent from my iPhone

On Oct 21, 2025, at 15:47, Lawrence Spinetta <lawrence...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Bill Tisdale]

Cliff, it takes two CFI-Gs to accomplish the 8710-11. A Recommending Instructor and a "Check Instructor". This will allow the two instructors to create an "add-on" glider rating to any existing Pilot certificate, at the Sport Pilot level. That Pilot's certificate would then say "Private Pilot" on the front. On the back of the Certificate, it would state under privileges, Private Pilot Airplane, Light Sport Pilot Glider.

This was always available, but there were very few gliders that qualified under the Light Sport definition. MOSAIC opens up almost every glider to the qualification of Light Sport.

There are seat limitations, cannot carry 2 passengers in the 2-32. Cannot fly for hire. 

Bill

[Cliff Hilty]

Thanks Bill, I kinda new that. I was hoping for a route to become a sport pilot CFI without having to get a Instrument rating. I only do this for fun and really dont want to fly IFR and pay for the rating just to add on the CFI SEL. I think the Mosaic falls just short of that!🤑

Cliff

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[Bill Tisdale]

Cliff, look at Para 27 in the provided Draft of AC61-65K. It looks like to be a CFI-Light Sport Instructor, you  don't need an Instrument Rating. You only need 3 hrs of Instrument Training and certified by another competent instructor that you can instruct Light Sport Pilot candidates in the art of flight be reference to instruments.

You do need about 15hrs of time in an aircraft certified as Light Sport. That's not an Airplane with a Standard Airworthy Cert that a Light Sport Pilot can fly under MOSAIC, but an aircraft who's airworthy cert says "Light Sport", like a Legend Cub. AC61-65K Para 27 references CFR 61.411 and 61.412.

Bill

[Lynn Alley]

There is one thing to be careful of though.  While MOSAIC greatly expanded the gliders that qualify as sport aircraft (maybe now all gliders?), it retained one significant limitation:  the 10,000 foot altitude restriction.  Pilots exercising the privileges of a sport pilot may only operate below 10,000 ft, or 2,000 ft AGL, whichever is higher.  In the western US at least, this is a serious limitation on the privileges of a glider pilot that would warrant most getting at least private level privileges.

Lynn

[Lynn Alley]

I am going to respectfully disagree with a part of Bill's reply to Cliff above.

It is important to note that MOSAIC went into effect today, and it modifies much of the sport pilot and sport instructor code, including 61.411 and 61.412, and (importantly) 61.419.  As far as I know, as of today, there is no place you can read you can read all of the final text in one place.  Instead, you have to look at the previous versions of these regulations, and apply the modifications listed in the MOSAIC final rule published in July.  I've done this a bunch lately, and have a headache from doing so.

Since Cliff is already a CFIG, the requirements of 61.411 don't apply at all.  He is not an applicant for a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating.  Instead, he is an instructor who already has privileges in gliders, and wants to add privileges to provide training in an additional category or class.  The applicable regulation is 61.419, as referenced in the draft of AC 61-65K paragraph 27.1.  The upshot is that there is no specific experience requirement at all.  Instead, Cliff would have to be trained to competency by an authorized instructor in the areas of operation listed in 61.409  and receive the endorsement specified in 61.405(b)(1)(i), and then complete the practical test with an FAA examiner or DPE.  There is no requirement for any specific number of hours, only that an authorized instructor provide flight training in the applicable areas of operation and finds Cliff ready for the practical test.

As of yesterday, another instructor could have administered a proficiency check.  But today Cliff would have to complete a practical test.

Bill is completely correct pertaining to the requirement to provide training under the hood.  The requirement is given in 61.412, which did not change under MOSAIC.

Lynn

(I am a CFIG who holds Sport CFI privileges with an ASE endorsement).

[Charles Coyne]

Will the SSA be providing a synopsis of this in the magazine or other outreach?

-Chuck Coyne