FAA Proposes Changes to Flight Instructor Certificates

The alterations would make it easier for instructors to maintain proficiency and keep their certificates in line with other airman certificates that do not expire.

Amelia Walsh

Tuesday, May 30, 2023 at 02:17 PM ET

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FAA's proposed changes would make it easier for instructors to maintain proficiency and keep their certificates in line with other airman certificates that do not expire. [File Photo: Adobe Stock]

Key Takeaways:

The FAA is proposing to remove the 24-month expiration date from flight instructor certificates.
Instead of an expiration date, flight instructors would need to meet recent experience requirements to maintain their privileges, similar to other airman certificates.
These changes aim to reduce the burden and cost for instructors, align with industry recommendations (like AOPA's), and help address the pilot shortage.
The proposal also introduces new methods for renewing flight instructor certificates and new qualifications for instructors training other instructor applicants.

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The FAA is seeking comments on proposed changes to flight instructor certificates, including the removal of expiration dates, according to a newly released Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM).

The FAA’s May 23 proposal outlined several changes that would make it easier for flight instructors to maintain proficiency while keeping their certificates in line with other airman certificates that do not expire. Among the changes is eliminating the 24-month expiration on flight instructor certificates and instead establishing recent experience requirements with a three-month grace period.