Make Flight Reviews for CFIs Worthwhile

When you are a busy instructor, flying for yourself can be particularly enjoyable.

Friday, April 19, 2024 at 09:29 AM ET

Verified

It may seem odd that someone who flies for a living needs to demonstrate pilot proficiency every two years, but those are the rules, with a few exceptions. [iStock]

Key Takeaways:

Flight instructors are required to complete a flight review every two years, consisting of at least one hour of ground instruction and one hour of flight, although active CFIs may be exempt from the ground portion.
The flight review should be tailored to the pilot's needs, focusing on evaluating proficiency in critical maneuvers and procedures beyond just meeting minimum regulatory requirements.
CFIs can fulfill the flight review requirement by adding a new certificate or rating, obtaining specific endorsements (e.g., complex, tailwheel), or completing checkouts in new aircraft or avionics.
While not a pass/fail check ride, the FAA considers a flight review as flight instruction; an unsatisfactory review should be logged as dual instruction given, with a plan for regaining proficiency.

See a mistake? Contact us.

One of the most challenging parts of being a flight instructor is making the time for your own flying, such as when you need a flight review. It may seem odd that someone who flies for a living needs to demonstrate proficiency every two years, but those are the rules, with a few exceptions, such as completing a phase of the FAA Wings program or adding a new certificate or rating. Don’t just aim to satisfy the minimum requirements—make the time spent worth something.

This Article First Appeared in FLYING Magazine

If you're not already a subscriber, what are you waiting for? Subscribe today to get the issue as soon as it is released in either Print or Digital formats.