Description

Flight Instructor Practical Test

Below is a link to a FAA Webinar discussing the new flight instructor certificate with no expiration date. They discuss how to keep it current. Basically you have a 7 month window to renew your CFI certificate. You have 3 months prior to the month it expires, the month that it expires, and 3 months after the month that it expires. It really does not expire anymore. You just need to document via IACRA that you have the required recently of experience.

Click here for the video

Here is an email from the FAA regarding the above webinar:

Attention CFIs:



Ladies and gentlemen, I have been informed by the rule makers that a portion of information presented was incorrectly stated with regard to recent experience and reinstatement on the March 5, 2025 Pro Tips webinar.



Allow me to restate the process.



Part 61.197 - Defines how a CFI can establish Recent Experience or RE to maintain privileges, prior to and up to your RE end date.



As stated, a CFI has the RE month and 3 months prior to utilize the 6 options to confirm recency. That part is correct.



After RE end date, Part 61.199 must be adhered to which basically states that within the reinstatement period (from the RE end date plus 3 calendar months) you can reinstate your CFI by:



61.199 Reinstatement of flight instructor privileges.

(a) Flight instructor privileges. The holder of a flight instructor certificate who has not complied with the flight instructor recent experience requirements of § 61.197 may reinstate their flight instructor privileges by filing a completed and signed application with the FAA and satisfactorily completing one of the following reinstatement requirements:

(1) If 3 calendar months or less have passed since the last month of the flight instructor's recent experience period, the flight instructor may successfully complete an approved flight instructor refresher course consisting of ground training or flight training, or a combination of both, or satisfy one of the requirements specified in paragraph (a)(2)of this section.

(2) If more than 3 calendar months have passed since the last month of the flight instructor's recent experience period, the flight instructor must satisfactorily complete one of the following:

(i) A flight instructor certification practical test, as prescribed by § 61.183(h), for one of the ratings held on the flight instructor certificate; or

(ii) A flight instructor certification practical test for an additional rating.

You would receive a new RE end date if reestablishing under 61.199.

Apologies for the incorrect data.

From FAR 61.195:
(h) Qualifications of the flight instructor for training first-time flight instructor applicants.
(1) The ground training provided to an initial applicant for a flight instructor certificate must be given by an authorized instructor who;
(i) Holds a ground or flight instructor certificate with the appropriate rating, has held that certificate for at least 24 calendar months, and has given at least 40 hours of ground training; or
(ii) Holds a ground or flight instructor certificate with the appropriate rating, and has given at least 100 hours of ground training in an FAA-approved course.


Plan on about a 7 hour oral exam and about 1.9 hours for the flight portion.

Flight instructor applicants need to know how to use the autopilot. Here is some new wording from the NEW Flight Instructor ACS effective May 31 2024 - To assist in management of the aircraft during the practical test, the applicant is expected to demonstrate automation
management skills by utilizing installed, available, or airborne equipment such as autopilot, avionics and systems displays,
and/or a flight management system (FMS). The evaluator is expected to test the applicant’s knowledge of the systems that
are available or installed and operative during both the ground and flight portions of the practical test. If the applicant has
trained using a portable electronic flight bag (EFB) to display charts and data and wishes to use the EFB during the practical
test, the applicant is expected to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, risk management, and skill appropriate to its use.

After printing the temporary certificate, Notice of Disapproval, or the Letter of Discontinuance, I will print a copy of this form and have the applicant sign it

The FAA no longer requires applicants for a flight instructor certificate with an airplane single-engine rating to provide a complex airplane for the practical test. Click here for more info

Flight Instructor Plan Of Action Template

Pretest Briefing

Here is the Wings activity that you can request Wings credit for your checkride

Renew your CFI by giving WINGS training. Here’s how:
(1) Hold a flight instructor certificate that has not expired.
(2) Hold a current phase of WINGS (at any level) at the time of application.
(3) Have evaluated at least 15 WINGS-accredited flight activities (any level) during which the CFI evaluates at least five different pilots, and make appropriate endorsements in the logbook of each pilot for each activity.
(4) Apply to the FAA – see AC 61-91J.

FAA Publishes Rule Removing CFI Expiration Dates:

The FAA published a final rule eliminating expiration dates on flight instructor certificates, replacing them with recent experience requirements every 24 calendar months. Removing the expiration date on certificates will increase efficiency, cut costs, and align instructor certificates with other airman certificates such as private and commercial, which do not expire.

Under the new rule, instructors must still renew their certificates every 24 calendar months by completing a flight instructor refresher clinic (FIRC), obtaining an additional instructor certificate, or engaging in further instructional activities. Additional activities must include “at least 15 flight activities recognized under the FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program,” during which the flight instructor evaluates at least five different pilots and makes the required endorsements in each pilot's logbook for every activity. The rule also specifies that flight instructors who endorse at least five applicants for a practical test within 24 calendar months and maintain an 80% pass rate can also utilize this provision to renew their certificates.

The FAA estimates that the rule will result in $5.6 million in cost savings for both the FAA and the industry over five years.

Click here for the full regulation

Click here for a pdf of the new rule

Tags: PracticalTest