An 8710 form (also referred to as an 8710-1 or 8710-11 form) is used to record the Proficiency Check.
A Proficiency Check is a form completed by an applicant who holds a FAA pilot certificate but would like to fly another category or class of aircraft at the ‘Sport Pilot Level’.
Sport Pilot Level aircraft are designed for aviation hobbyists. The certification process for this level is much easier to obtain and doesn’t require a medical certificate. It was created to encourage more people to fly. Those with a Sport Pilot certificate only, will be restricted to lighter, lower-powered aircraft. They are also unable to fly at night. They are however, cheaper to obtain because they require fewer lessons with an instructor.
The 8710 form will be signed off by the recommending instructor and issued to the instructor who performs the Proficiency Check before the flight. Only an FAA authorized flight instructor is able to carry out a Proficiency Check.
An 8710 form must be mailed to the Airman Certification Branch within 10 days.