What is a Sport Pilot Certificated Flight Instructor (CFIS)?
An FAA Sport Pilot Certified Flight Instructor (CFIS) has privileges similar to other FAA certificated flight instructors (CFI); however, he or she may only instruct in the category of light-sport aircraft in which he or she is qualified and operates under FAR 61 Subpart K (Sport Pilot) rather than Subpart H (Private Pilot).
What is a Sport Pilot Certificated Flight Instructor (CFIS) privileges?
Initial Training
A CFIS may train and recommend students for a sport pilot checkride in the category and class of which they have been trained.
Proficiency Checks
A CFIS (and a Private Pilot CFI) may also perform proficiency checks to add a category or class to the certificate of an existing Sport Pilot per 61.321 and Sport Pilot CFIS per 61.419 AT THE SPORT PILOT LEVEL meaning the additional category or class is only entitled to operate as a sport pilot as specified in 61.303.
Flight Reviews
A CFIS may give flight reviews to Sport and Private Pilots in a light sport aircraft.
Tail-wheel and Endorsements
Per 61.31 (i) a sport pilot CFIS can give a Private or Sport Pilot a tail-wheel endorsement in a LSA. A tail wheel endorsement is a tail wheel endorsement. That private pilot can now use this tail-wheel endorsement to fly a tail-wheel non LSA if they have the medical to fly as a private pilot.
It should be noted that a student pilot needs a tail-wheel endorsement to fly solo in any tail-wheel and have a tail-wheel endorsement for the check-ride, otherwise that student is not qualified for the check-ride in a tail-wheel. After the checkride, his/her tail-wheel is still valid to fly tail-wheels.