Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspectors and designated pilot examiners (DPEs) rely on flight instructor recommendations  for learner or pilot applicant testing. These recommendations are accepted as evidence of qualification for certification and proof that  a review of the subject areas found to be deficient on the appropriate knowledge test has been given by the flight instructor.  Recommendations also provide assurance the applicant has had a thorough briefing on the Practical Test Standards (PTS), Airman  Certification Standards (ACS), and the associated knowledge areas, maneuvers, and procedures. If the flight instructor has trained and  prepared the applicant competently, the applicant should have no difficulty in passing the written and practical tests.  Many consider the advent of the sport pilot certification to be one of the most significant changes to the airman certification structure  to have occurred in over 50 years. Because of the growing cost to acquire the private pilot certification, more and more aviation  enthusiasts are considering the sport pilot as an alternative. Many aircraft already meet the light sport aircraft criteria, and many  manufacturers are now producing modern light sport aircraft. Flight instructors should review 14 CFR part 61, subparts J and K, for  the requirements for, and privileges and limitations of, the sport pilot certifications.  14 CFR part 61,  s ubparts J and K, also describe the process for sport pilots and flight instructors with a sport pilot rating to add  additional category/class privileges. Light sport aircraft meet certain criteria, and a well-informed flight instructor should be  acquainted with the basic requirements.  Forms 8710-1, 8610-2, and 8710-11 are versions of the Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application. The instructor should ensure  the applicant is prepared for the test and has met all the regulatory requirements, including knowledge, proficiency, required  endorsements, and experience requirements before the application process. The applicant then either completes the 8710 or 8610  paper form by hand or uses the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) electronic application system  available at iacra.faa.gov/IACRA/Default.aspx. Whenever possible, applicants should use the IACRA system to make their application. The system provides internal checking, and  reduces the error rate. Any mistake or omission on a paper application form may cause a significant delay in the issuance of an FAA  certificate.  14 CFR  part 61, s ection 61.189 requires the flight instructor to maintain a record that includes information on the type of  endorsement, the name of the person receiving the endorsement, and the date of the endorsement. This information may be kept  in a logbook or a separate document. For a knowledge or practical test endorsement, the record must include the kind of test, the  date, and the results. Records of endorsements must be maintained for at least 3 years.  14 CFR  part 61, s ection 61.39(a)(1) requires that the applicant pass a knowledge test. When preparing an applicant for  certification (e.g., recreational, private, commercial or instrument), the flight instructor may provide the learner with an endorsement  to certify he or she has the required knowledge in accordance with 14 CFR  part 61, s ection 61.35. Bear in mind that some  additional ratings do not require a knowledge test. For information concerning additional aircraft certifications not requiring  knowledge tests, refer to AC 61-65. Flight instructors (not including sport pilot instructors) take an FOI knowledge test or an aircraft  subject matter test as required by 14 CFR  part 61, s ections 61.183(e) and 61.183(f).  Added flight instructor ratings require a  knowledge test on subject matter ( part 61, s ection 61.183(f)), but the current added rating tests are shorter than the original flight  instructor certification test under  part 61, s ection 61.183(f) .  Instructor Records  Knowledge Tests  FAA Forms 8710-1, 8610-2, and 8710-11  Sport Pilot  Figure C-1.  This is a sample logbook endorsement for pre-solo aeronautical knowledge.  C -2