Don’t Dread the Flight Review

Pilots should make it more than a lunch date and be prepared for the best results.

Meg Godlewski

Tuesday, July 15, 2025 at 09:00 AM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Making a plan to stay proficient between flight reviews is an important step towards your overall safety and flying enjoyment. [Pixabay]

Key Takeaways:

Flight reviews (per FAR 61.56) are mandatory every 24 months, typically consisting of at least one hour of ground and one hour of flight, and are often approached with dread by pilots despite their importance for maintaining currency and verifying skills.
To ensure a comprehensive and successful review, pilots should schedule appointments well in advance, book sufficient time with the CFI and aircraft, and proactively study to refresh their aviation knowledge.
While a flight review cannot be "failed," an instructor can withhold the required endorsement if a pilot does not demonstrate the necessary knowledge and skill appropriate to their certificate, often leading to additional instruction.
Alternatives to a traditional flight review include completing a practical test for a new certificate or rating, or actively participating in the FAA WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program.

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There is something about the thought of doing a flight review that makes pilots cringe as though they are talking about a trip to the dentist.

Per cFAR 61.56, a flight review usually consists of at least an hour of ground and one of flight, which isn’t a lot in the grand scheme of things. Yet there are pilots who treat them with dread or look for a way to make it as painless as possible, such as the old “fly to lunch with my buddy who is a CFI, talk about flying for an hour, and get an endorsement” route.