In need of a Flight Review? This guide is a great place to start.
You can also use the extensive resources to develop personal training plans and set minimums that will help you improve proficiency and safety.
Please reach out to one of our flight instructors if you have any questions, or to schedule your next Flight Review.
You can also use the extensive resources to develop personal training plans and set minimums that will help you improve proficiency and safety.
Please reach out to one of our flight instructors if you have any questions, or to schedule your next Flight Review.
§ 61.56 Flight Review [LINK]
This guide contains the recommended steps to accomplish a thorough flight review and is based on AC 61-98E, Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check, and the FAA's "Conducting an Effective Flight Review" guide.
Please note that our instructors operate independently and tailor each flight review to the unique requirements and emphasis areas of each pilot.
*Flight Reviews should comply with the certificate-appropriate FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS)
This guide contains the recommended steps to accomplish a thorough flight review and is based on AC 61-98E, Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check, and the FAA's "Conducting an Effective Flight Review" guide.
Please note that our instructors operate independently and tailor each flight review to the unique requirements and emphasis areas of each pilot.
*Flight Reviews should comply with the certificate-appropriate FAA Airman Certification Standards (ACS)
"The purpose of the flight review (required by 14 CFR 61.56) is to provide for a regular evaluation of pilot skills and aeronautical knowledge. AC 61-98 states that the flight review is also intended to offer pilots the opportunity to design a personal currency and proficiency program in consultation with a CFI. In effect, the flight review is the aeronautical equivalent of a regular medical checkup and ongoing health improvement program. Like a physical exam, a flight review may have certain “standard” features (e.g., review of specific regulations and maneuvers). However, just as the physician should tailor the exam and follow-up to the individual’s characteristics and needs, the CFI should tailor both the flight review and any follow-up plan for training and proficiency to each pilot’s skill, experience, aircraft, and personal flying goals."
~ FAA Guide, "Conducting an Effective Flight Review"
~ FAA Guide, "Conducting an Effective Flight Review"
There are 5 parts, or steps to an effective Flight Review:
- STEP 1: Pre-Flight Actions
- STEP 2: Ground Training
- STEP 3: Flight Training
- STEP 4: Post-Flight Discussion
- STEP 5: Aeronautical Health Maintenance & Improvement Plan
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PRE-FLIGHT ACTIONS
The Flight Review is an instructional service designed to assess a pilot’s knowledge and skills. 14 CFR 61.56 states that the CFI has the discretion to determine the maneuvers and procedures necessary for the pilot to demonstrate safe exercise of the privileges of the pilot certificate. It is thus a proficiency-based exercise, and is up to your CFI to determine how much time and what type of instruction is required to ensure that you have the necessary knowledge and skills for safe operation. Completing this section will help your CFI develop a plan of action to best meet your Flight Review needs.
The Flight Review is an instructional service designed to assess a pilot’s knowledge and skills. 14 CFR 61.56 states that the CFI has the discretion to determine the maneuvers and procedures necessary for the pilot to demonstrate safe exercise of the privileges of the pilot certificate. It is thus a proficiency-based exercise, and is up to your CFI to determine how much time and what type of instruction is required to ensure that you have the necessary knowledge and skills for safe operation. Completing this section will help your CFI develop a plan of action to best meet your Flight Review needs.
- Complete the "Pilot's Aeronautical History for Flight Review" Form
- Review Assignment: FAASafety.gov WINGS - Flight Review Preparation Course (ALC-25 "Flight Review Preparation Guide")
- Plan a Short (<50 NM) Cross-Country (paper or digital; include considerations for weather, weight & balance, performance charts, fuel, alternates, runway lengths, and terrain avoidance)
| Aeronautical History Form |
GROUND TRAINING
14 CFR 61.56 states that the ground portion of the Flight Review must include a review of the current general operating and flight rules of Part 91. This section offers guidance on conducting that review. It also provides guidance on additional topics that should be addressed.
14 CFR 61.56 states that the ground portion of the Flight Review must include a review of the current general operating and flight rules of Part 91. This section offers guidance on conducting that review. It also provides guidance on additional topics that should be addressed.
- Part 91 Regulatory Review
- Cross-Country Flight Plan Review [CHECKLIST]
- Risk Management & Personal Minimums (see files below)
| Regulatory Review Guide |
| Cross-Country Checklist |
| Risk Mgt - Personal Wx Mins |
| Risk Mgt - Personal PAVE Mins |
| Risk Mgt - King Schools - Personal Mins |
FLIGHT TRAINING
Many Flight Reviews consist almost exclusively of airwork followed by multiple takeoffs and landings. These maneuvers can give your CFI a very good snapshot of your “physical airplane” skills. They are also good for providing you with a safe opportunity to practice proficiency maneuvers that you may not have performed since your last Flight Review- which most likely has been nearly 2 years ago or much longer in many cases! Airwork alone, however, will demonstrate little about your “mental airplane” knowledge of avionics and other aircraft systems, and even less about your ability to make safe and appropriate decisions in real-world flying (ADM). Therefore, you and your CFI need to structure the flight portion of the Flight Review to clearly demonstrate your pilot skills with respect to each area.
Many Flight Reviews consist almost exclusively of airwork followed by multiple takeoffs and landings. These maneuvers can give your CFI a very good snapshot of your “physical airplane” skills. They are also good for providing you with a safe opportunity to practice proficiency maneuvers that you may not have performed since your last Flight Review- which most likely has been nearly 2 years ago or much longer in many cases! Airwork alone, however, will demonstrate little about your “mental airplane” knowledge of avionics and other aircraft systems, and even less about your ability to make safe and appropriate decisions in real-world flying (ADM). Therefore, you and your CFI need to structure the flight portion of the Flight Review to clearly demonstrate your pilot skills with respect to each area.
| Checklist - Flight Training for Flight Review |
| 3-P Risk Management ADM |
POST-FLIGHT DISCUSSION
Most pilots have experienced the traditional “sage on the stage” model of training, in which the teacher does all the talking and hands out grades with little or no student input. There is a place for this kind of debriefing; however, a collaborative critique is one of the most effective ways to determine that you have not only the physical and mental airplane skills, but also the self-awareness and judgment needed for sound aeronautical decision-making. Here is one way to structure a collaborative post-flight critique.
Most pilots have experienced the traditional “sage on the stage” model of training, in which the teacher does all the talking and hands out grades with little or no student input. There is a place for this kind of debriefing; however, a collaborative critique is one of the most effective ways to determine that you have not only the physical and mental airplane skills, but also the self-awareness and judgment needed for sound aeronautical decision-making. Here is one way to structure a collaborative post-flight critique.
- Replay, Reconstruct, Reflect, Redirect
- Replay: Verbally replay the flight. Listen for areas where your perceptions differ from your CFI's, and explore why they don’t match. This approach gives you a chance to validate your own perceptions, and it gives your CFI critical insight into your ADM abilities.
- Reconstruct: The reconstruct stage encourages you to learn by identifying the “would’a could’a should’a” elements of the flight – that is, the key things that you would have, could have, or should have done differently.
- Reflect: Insights come from investing perceptions and experiences with meaning, which in turn requires reflection on these events. For example:
- What was the most important thing you learned today?
- What part of the session was easiest for you? What part was hardest?
- Did anything make you uncomfortable? If so, when did it occur?
- How would you assess your performance and your decisions?
- Did you perform in accordance with the Airman Certification Standards (ACS)?
- Redirect: The final step is to help you relate lessons learned in this flight to other experiences, and consider how they might help in future flights. (see "2. Questions" below)
- Questions (from "Redirect" stage above)
- How does this experience relate to previous flights?
- What might you do to mitigate a similar risk in a future flight?
- Which aspects of this experience might apply to future flights, and how?
- What personal minimums should you establish, and what additional proficiency flying and training might be useful?
AERONAUTICAL HEALTH MAINTENANCE & IMPROVEMENT PLAN
If you do not satisfactorily complete the Flight Review, you and your CFI should use the ACS as the objective standard to discuss areas needing improvement, as well as areas where you performed well. Next, build a practical course of action with your CFI – ground training, flight training, or both – to help you get back up to standards. If possible, schedule the next session before you leave the airport. If your performance on both ground and flight portions was satisfactory, your CFI will provide the appropriate endorsement in your logbook. However, consider one final step in your Flight Review process and develop a personalized aeronautical health maintenance and improvement plan with your CFI. Such a plan should include consideration of the elements in this section.
If you do not satisfactorily complete the Flight Review, you and your CFI should use the ACS as the objective standard to discuss areas needing improvement, as well as areas where you performed well. Next, build a practical course of action with your CFI – ground training, flight training, or both – to help you get back up to standards. If possible, schedule the next session before you leave the airport. If your performance on both ground and flight portions was satisfactory, your CFI will provide the appropriate endorsement in your logbook. However, consider one final step in your Flight Review process and develop a personalized aeronautical health maintenance and improvement plan with your CFI. Such a plan should include consideration of the elements in this section.
- Personal Minimums Checklist (see files in STEP 2)
- Personal Proficiency Practice Plan
- Personal Goals & Training Plan (if desired)
- Resources List
| Personal Proficiency Plan |
| Personal Goals |
| Resources |
Download & print the full guide & checklist here:
| AC 61-98E Currency Requirements & Guidance |
| FAA - Conducting an Effective Flight Review |
| Flight Review Guide Checklist |
