Training and Proficiency What A CFI Wants You To Know

Do You Have the Rule for a No-Go?

Sometimes a pilot’s best decision is to stay on the ground.

Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 11:15 AM ET

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Some pilots have a "rule of three" that states that if three things delay the flight or are distractions, they cancel. [Credit: Corey Sampson]

Key Takeaways:

Flight reviews should be scheduled with ample time (e.g., 3 hours) beyond the minimum requirements to allow for thorough instruction, meet Airman Certification Standards (ACS), and avoid rushing.
Prioritize safety by practicing strong aeronautical decision-making, recognizing personal limitations, and being willing to cancel a flight when distracted or conditions are unsafe, as exemplified by "the rule of three."
Flight instruction is a professional business requiring clear communication, adherence to scheduling policies, and mutual accountability from both students and instructors regarding appointments and cancellations.

See a mistake? Contact us.

My flight school client texted that he was running late. We were meeting so he could get his flight review completed. I wasn’t terribly worried because at his request we had booked the appointment for three hours, planning to do at least one hour on the ground and one in the air.

The one-and-one is the minimum required per FAR 61.56, and when you add in the time for brief, debrief, and logbook endorsement, you often go beyond an hour, which makes the CFI late for their next client. It is much better to set aside three hours so you aren’t late—and more importantly—aren’t rushed.

Meg Godlewski

Meg Godlewski has been an aviation journalist for more than 24 years and a CFI for more than 20 years. If she is not flying or teaching aviation, she is writing about it. Meg is a founding member of the Pilot Proficiency Center at EAA AirVenture and excels at the application of simulation technology to flatten the learning curve. Follow Meg on Twitter @2Lewski.