Definition
The section of the Federal Aviation Regulations that requires a sport pilot to hold a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor before operating in Class B, C, or D airspace, at an airport with an operating control tower, or in airspace with an airport having a control tower. The endorsement certifies the pilot has received and demonstrated the ground and flight training needed to operate in such airspace.
Plain English
A rule that says sport pilots must get a special sign-off in their logbook from an instructor before they are allowed to fly into busier, controlled airspace or use a tower-controlled airport.
Context Anchor
Seen in handbook discussions about which pilots may operate in Class B airspace and what extra requirements may apply.
Derivation
‘14 CFR’ refers to Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations, which contains the rules for aeronautics and space. ‘Part 61’ covers the certification of pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors. ‘Section 61.325’ is the specific paragraph within Part 61 that addresses sport pilot operations in tower-controlled and Class B/C/D airspace. Knowing the structure helps pilots find any rule quickly: Title → Part → Section.
Why Pilots Care
A sport pilot without this endorsement may not legally enter Class B airspace, even if the aircraft is equipped and the weather is suitable.
Analogy
Think of the citation like an address in the rulebook: Title 14 is the city, part 61 is the street, and section 61.325 is the exact house number.
Intuition Check
Do not read “part” and “section” as casual page labels. In FAA rules, they identify binding legal requirements in a specific location.
Example Sentence 1
Before flying her light-sport aircraft into the Class B airspace surrounding the city, the sport pilot obtained the endorsement required by 14 CFR part 61, section 61.325.
Example Sentence 2
The instructor reviewed the airspace rules and signed the logbook to satisfy 14 CFR part 61, section 61.325 for Class B operations.