FAA Sport Pilot Airplane (SPA)RegulationsMedium
While planning a cross-country flight, a sport pilot must ensure the flight remains within the altitude limitations of 14 CFR Part 61. These limitations restrict sport pilot operations to no higher than
- A10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher
- B10,000 feet MSL or 1,000 feet AGL, whichever is lower
- C18,000 feet MSL, the floor of Class A airspace
- D12,500 feet MSL at all times
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher
14 CFR 61.315(c)(4) limits sport pilots to operations at an altitude of no more than 10,000 feet MSL or 2,000 feet AGL, whichever is higher, allowing terrain clearance in mountainous areas while still capping altitude for less complex aircraft operations.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Incorrect—uses 'lower' and wrong AGL figure; the actual rule uses 'higher' and 2,000 ft AGL.
- C. 18,000 feet is the Class A floor, but sport pilots are restricted well below that.
- D. Not the correct figure; sport pilots use a dual MSL/AGL standard, not a flat altitude.
Sport Pilot Altitude Limit
Sport pilots may operate no higher than 10,000 ft MSL or 2,000 ft AGL, whichever is higher.
- Allows higher AGL clearance over mountainous terrain
- Whichever is higher governs, not lower
- Found in 14 CFR 61.315(c)(4)
Memory trick: 'Ten thousand or two thousand, take the bigger number.'