JNM offers instruction in a modern composite light sport airplane.
With JNM you will receive flight training from an experienced certified flight instructor (CFI) in a modern light sport airplane at the Pell City, Alabama airport. The airplane is a CTLS.

Alternately, you can fly an Aeronca Champ (see the Tailwheel  page.)

The training will consist of as much ground school as you feel you need to pass the FAA written exam for the sport pilot rating, flight training as needed to master the airplane, and ground preflight and post flight briefings. Flight training will consist of a minimum of 20 hours including a minimum of 5 solo hours and a minimum of 15 dual hours.

In addition to ground and flight instruction, you will be required to pass an FAA written exam. You will need some training materials to help you acquire the knowledge you need to pass the exam. We will be happy to consult with you in the selection of training materials.

Unlike the private pilot rating, you will not need to have a medical exam by an FAA designated Airmen Medical Examiner (AME). You must, however have a valid driver's license and must not fly if you are medically impaired.

After learning to fly the plane with your instructor and practicing flight by yourself (solo), you will take a check ride with an FAA designated pilot examiner.

Then you will be a sport pilot.

For a more detailed description of the Sport Pilot Training activities click here.

Q. What is a Sport Pilot?
A. The Sport Pilot certificate is designed to let people fly who are not interested in using aviation for anything more than recreation. It does not require a medical certificate, just a valid driver's license. However, the Sport Pilot is limited to flying a Light Sport Airplane. These craft are lighter, lower powered and slower than many private planes.

Q. Can JNM do Sport Pilot instruction?
A. Yes, we can give instruction to the Sport Pilot, in a FlightDesign CTLS light sport airplane.  We also have a 1946 Aeronca Champ that can be used for sport pilot training is you want to train in a tailwheel airplane.

Q. How does the Sport Pilot training differ from Private Pilot?
A. The total time required for a sport pilot rating is 20 hours vs 40 for the private. Of this time 15 hours must be dual and 5 must be solo. The cross-country criteria are far less for sport pilot (one flight of 75 miles total vs 5 hours and at least one flight of 150 miles). There is no night flight training for sport pilot.

Q. What restrictions do I have as a sport pilot?
A. The biggest two are a limitation to light sport airplanes (only two seats, less than 1320 lbs maximum weight and maximum speed of 120 knots) and the prohibition against night flight.

Q. If I get a Sport Pilot rating can I count the Sport Pilot time toward a Private Pilot later?
A. Absolutely. The time spent receiving training from JNM for a Sport Pilot rating (both dual and solo time)will count toward a Private Pilot rating.