Flight Review
Before being able to act as pilot in command (PIC) a pilot must have completed a flight review within the previous 24 calendar months.
For holders of pilot certificates issued by the United States Federal Aviation Administration a flight review (previously the FAA referred to this as a biennial flight review, usually abbreviated BFR) is a review required of every active holder of a U.S. pilot certificate at least every 24 calendar months. The flight review consists of at least 1 hour of ground instruction and 1 hour in-flight with a qualified flight instructor. The duration of the Flight Review will depend on how well you have prepared, your knowledge and skill level as a pilot. The FAA and instructors are quick to point out that it is not a test. There is no pass or fail criteria, although the instructor giving it can decline to endorse your logbook that a flight review has been completed.
Syllabus
1 Hour of Flight Time
You will fly with one of instructors for a review of those maneuvers and procedures that, at the discretion of the person giving the review, are necessary for the pilot to demonstrate the safe exercise of the privileges of the pilot certificate.
1 Hour of Ground Time
You will sit down with one of instructors for a review of the current general operating and flight rules of CFR 14 Part 91.
Exemptions
Flight Instructors
When you pass a practical test conducted by an examiner for the issuance of a flight instructor certificate, an additional rating on a flight instructor certificate, renewal of a flight instructor certificate, or reinstatement of a flight instructor certificate, you do not need to complete a flight review.
Additionally, if you hold a flight instructor certificate, and within the period specified in FAR 61.56(c), satisfactorily completed a renewal of a flight instructor certificate under the provisions in FAR 61.197, you do need not accomplish the one hour of ground training specified in FAR 61.56(a).
Each of these exemptions renews your 24-calendar month currency. After this, you need to complete a flight review or fall under a new exemption to maintain currency.
FAA Pilot Proficiency Programs
If you’ve accomplished one or more phases of an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency award program in the past 24-calendar months, you do not need to complete a flight review.
The most common pilot proficiency program you’ll use is FAA WINGS. Completion of any Phase of WINGS satisfies the requirement for a flight review. You will complete a review of common weak areas that have led to accidents and end up with a flight review too!
Proficiency Checks and Practical Tests
You don’t need to complete a 24-month flight review if you’ve passed a practical test or pilot proficiency check conducted by an examiner, an approved pilot check airman, or a U.S. Armed Force, for a pilot certificate, rating, or operating privilege. Here are a just few examples of applicable exemptions:
- Passing a recurrent Checkride under Part 135/121.
- Adding a type rating to your pilot certificate.
- Passing a practical test for a new pilot certificate (private pilot, commercial pilot, etc.).
- Adding a multi-engine or instrument rating to your pilot certificate.
Each of these exemptions renews your 24-calendar month currency. After this, you need to complete a flight review or fall under a new exemption to maintain currency.
Cost of Training
Instruction
2.0 Hours of Instruction @ 80.00/HR
$160
Airplane
1.0 hours Aircraft Rental @ $140/HR
$140
Estimated Total
FAA Minimum Hours Required: 2
$300
Note: Cost estimates are based on FAA minimum training requirements. Individual experiences may vary. Actual training times may exceed these estimates. Costs are based on January 2022 effective rates.
Start with a Zoom Consultation
Our Zoom consultations are the most convenient way of answering all your questions about starting your flight training to becoming a pilot. Zoom consultations are free of charge, but we require advance scheduling.