Flight Review - AOPA

1 Safe Pilots. Safe Safety Advisor provides guidance to pilots andflight instructors for the conduct of Flight reviews andto convey current FAA interpretations of Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) Section though FAA-mandated Flight reviews began inthe 1970s, the AOPA Air Safety Foundation continuesto field questions about the Review process. Thesequestions indicate a continuing need for betterunderstanding of the Review . Even today, the flightreview is undergoing further examination by the FAAand the aviation industry in order to improve theproduct Flight following list of the 50 most frequently askedquestions are followed by answers that have beenthoroughly researched for accuracy and shouldserve to dispel common misconceptions aboutthe Review process. The Flight Review ConceptThe Flight Review is required by Federal Aviation Regulations for all pilots who intend to act as pilotin command of an aircraft.

2 It is a cooperativeendeavor to provide the pilot with a periodicassessment of his or her flying skills and to deter-mine if there has been any deterioration in areasthat may adversely affect Flight safety. The reviewshould be a proficiency evaluation accomplished inan economical and expeditious manner while pro-viding a learning experience, rather than the pres-sure of a checkride goal of the Review should be established in adiscussion between the pilot and Flight instructorprior to beginning the Review . This can be done bydiscussing the Flight Review s basic content, includingthe elements to be covered in both the oral and flightportions. These elements should be understood bythe pilot and the Flight instructor prior to initiatingany phase of the ADVISORR egulations No. 2 The Flight reviewis required byFederal AviationRegulations forall pilots whointend to act aspilot in commandof an s Guide to theFlight ReviewSafe Pilots.

3 Safe Skies. Pg. 2 Review should be individually tailored tomeet, at the reasonable discretion of the flightinstructor, the safe operating demands of the primary objective of any Review should be toassess the pilot s knowledge of, and ability to successfully perform, safe Flight operations. Ratherthan using standard guidelines or a list of maneu-vers, Flight instructors are encouraged to deter-mine the safe operating needs of each pilot andthen formulate a meaningful Review tailored tomeet those Flight Review regulation is reprinted Section Flight Review (a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (f) of thissection, a Flight Review consists of a minimum of 1 hour of Flight training and 1 hour of groundtraining. The Review must include:(1) A Review of the current general operating andflight rules of Part 91 of this chapter; and(2) A Review of those maneuvers and proceduresthat, at the discretion of the person giving thereview, are necessary for the pilot to demon-strate the safe exercise of the privileges of thepilot certificate.

4 (b) Glider pilots may substitute a minimum of threeinstructional flights in a glider, each of whichincludes a Flight to traffic pattern altitude, in lieuof the 1 hour of Flight training required in para-graph (a) of this section.(c) Except as provided in paragraphs (d), (e) and (g)of this section, no person may act as pilot in com-mand of an aircraft unless, since the beginning ofthe 24th calendar month before the month inwhich that pilot acts as pilot in command, thatperson has (1) Accomplished a Flight Review given in an air-craft for which that pilot is rated by an autho-rized instructor; and(2) A logbook endorsed from an authorizedinstructor who gave the Review certifying thatthe person has satisfactorily completed thereview.(d) A person who has, within the period specified inparagraph (c) of this section, passed a pilot profi-ciency check conducted by an examiner, anapproved pilot check airman, or a ArmedForce, for a pilot certificate, rating, or operatingprivilege, need not accomplish the Flight reviewrequired by this section.

5 (e) A person who has, within the period specified inparagraph (c) of this section, satisfactorily accom-plished one or more phases of an FAA-sponsoredpilot proficiency award program need not accom-plish the Flight Review required by this section.(f) A person who holds a current Flight instructor cer-tificate who has, within the period specified inparagraph (c) of this section, satisfactorily com-pleted a renewal of a Flight instructor certificateunder the provisions of Sec. need notaccomplish the 1 hour of ground training speci-fied in paragraph (a) of this section.(g) A student pilot need not accomplish the flightreview required by this section provided the stu-dent pilot is undergoing training for a certificateand has a current solo Flight endorsement asrequired under Sec. of this part.(h) The requirements of this section may be accom-plished in combination with the requirements ofSec.

6 And other applicable recent experiencerequirements at the discretion of the authorizedinstructor conducting the Flight Review .(i) A Flight simulator or Flight training device maybe used to meet the Flight Review requirementsof this section subject to the following conditions:(1) The Flight simulator or Flight training devicemust be used in accordance with an approvedcourse conducted by a training center certifi-cated under Part 142 of this chapter.(2) Unless the Flight Review is undertaken in aflight simulator that is approved for landings,the applicant must meet the takeoff and land-ing requirements of Sec. (a) or (b) of this part.(3) The Flight simulator or Flight training deviceused must represent an aircraft or set of air-craft for which the pilot is Information1. Who must meet the Flight Review requirements?Anyone who intends to act as pilot in command andis not affected by the exemptions listed below mustcomplete a Flight Review .

7 In addition, recreationalpilots who have logged fewer than 400 Flight hoursmust receive Flight training and a logbook endorse-ment as required by FAR (g) if more than 180days have passed since they acted as pilot in com-mand of an What can take the place of a Flight Review ?The following serve as exemptions: FAR Section pilot proficiency check FAR Part 121 pilot proficiency check FAR Part 135 pilot proficiency checkSafe Pilots. Safe Skies. Pg. 3 FAR Part 141 chief pilot proficiency check Military pilot proficiency check Other proficiency checks administered bythe FAA Pilot examiner annual Flight check Flight test for any certificate or rating Operations specifically authorized by the FAA Satisfactory completion of any phase of theFAA Wings program3. Who is authorized to conduct Flight reviews?Any appropriately certificated instructor or other per-son designated by the FAA administrator.

8 For moreinformation, see questions 39, 40, and Will a notice of an unsuccessful Flight Review besubmitted to the FAA?No. The FAA is not notified of the outcome of yourflight Review . If the instructor conducting the flightreview is unsatisfied with your performance, he orshe will withhold the logbook endorsement until youcan demonstrate proficient piloting Does an instrument proficiency check serve as a Flight Review ?No. The instructor may combine the two functionsduring the same Flight , however. In that case, thepilot s logbook must be endorsed for an instrumentproficiency check and a Flight Information6. I hold a student pilot certificate. Must I get a Flight Review ?No. Flight reviews are required for those personsholding sport, recreational, private, commercial, andairline transport pilot (ATP) certificates. Student pilotsare excepted from the Flight Review requirement ifthey are undergoing training and have a current soloflight endorsement as required under FAR SeeFAR (g).

9 General operating rules for studentpilots are contained in FAR Part 61, Subpart Why should I get a Flight Review ?The purpose of the Review is to ensure that youcontinue to update and expand your skills as apilot. You fly with an instructor of your choice whowill assist you in improving your piloting abilitiesand make sure you re up-to-date on current regula-tions, operating practices, and other subjects he orshe deems appropriate. The goal is to make flyingsafer for everyone. Additionally, you would be inviolation of applicable FARs if you acted as pilot incommand after the expiration date of your My last Flight Review was conducted on 06-16-2006. When will it expire? Flight reviews are valid for 24 calendar months. Yourflight Review is current through My Flight Review is not current. Is my pilot certificate invalid?No. Your pilot certificate is valid until surrendered,suspended, or revoked.

10 You may not act as pilot incommand until you satisfactorily complete a flightreview; however, you may act as second in commandand as a safety I do not intend to carry passengers. Can I fly solowithout a current Flight Review ?No. You are acting as pilot in command during soloflight. Therefore, you need a current Flight How do I get current to act as pilot in command?Simple. Satisfactorily complete a Flight Review or anyof the options listed in question Must I possess a current medical certificatewhen I get a Flight Review ?No. However, you cannot act as pilot in command,either during the Flight Review or at any time thereafter,until you have been issued a medical If I do not satisfactorily complete a Flight Review ,must I return to the same Flight instructor tocomplete it?No. You may complete the Flight Review with a differ-ent instructor.