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, replacing it with "recent experience" requirements.
This change aims to reduce the burden and costs for flight instructors, align their certificates with other non-expiring airman certificates, and address the ongoing pilot shortage.
The proposal introduces new methods for instructors to maintain their certificate privileges, including teaching under the FAA Wings program, in addition to existing options like FIRCs or practical tests.
Additionally, the NPRM outlines new qualification methods for flight instructors to be eligible to train other flight 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.