Flight review

Last updated

A flight review is a study program and flight instructor examination of aviation piloting skills. Periodic flight reviews are a pilot licensing requirement mandated by the aviation authorities of many countries. These reviews take different forms in different countries.

Flight reviews in the United States

In the United States, flight reviews are required every two years, and thus were formerly called biennial flight reviews (BFRs).

For holders of pilot certificates issued by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a flight review is required of every active holder of a U.S. pilot certificate at least every two years. The flight review consists of at least 1 hour of ground instruction and 1 hour in-flight with a qualified flight instructor, [1] although completion of any Phase of the FAA WINGS program also satisfies the requirement for a flight review. [2]

Federal Aviation Regulation (FAR) 61.56 specifies that the review must include: [1]

  1. A review of the current general operating and flight rules of part 91 of the FAR; and
  2. 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.

Before being able to act as pilot in command (PIC) in the United States, a pilot must have completed a flight review within the previous 24 calendar months. The FAA and instructors are quick to point out that it is not a pass/fail or graded test. There are no pass or fail criteria, although the instructor giving it can decline to endorse the pilot's log book to certify that a flight review has been completed. [3]

A flight test (administered by an FAA representative Designated Pilot Examiner) that leads to a new certificate or rating may be substituted for the flight review. A proficiency check conducted by a Certified Flight Instructor for an additional Sport Pilot privilege may also be substituted for a flight review. [4]

Completion of a proficiency check administered by a check pilot (typically air carrier pilots) can also be used.

Related Research Articles

The Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) are rules prescribed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) governing all aviation activities in the United States. The FARs comprise Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR). A wide variety of activities are regulated, such as aircraft design and maintenance, typical airline flights, pilot training activities, hot-air ballooning, lighter-than-air aircraft, man-made structure heights, obstruction lighting and marking, model rocket launches, commercial space operations, model aircraft operations, Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and kite flying. The rules are designed to promote safe aviation, protecting pilots, flight attendants, passengers and the general public from unnecessary risk.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flight training</span> Learning to pilot an aircraft

Flight training is a course of study used when learning to pilot an aircraft. The overall purpose of primary and intermediate flight training is the acquisition and honing of basic airmanship skills.

Instrument rating refers to the qualifications that a pilot must have in order to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR). It requires specific training and instruction beyond what is required for a private pilot certificate or commercial pilot certificate, including rules and procedures specific to instrument flying, additional instruction in meteorology, and more intensive training in flight solely by reference to instruments.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Private pilot licence</span> Type of pilot license

A private pilot licence (PPL) or private pilot certificate is a type of pilot licence that allows the holder to act as pilot in command of an aircraft privately. The basic licence requirements are determined by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), but implementation varies from country to country. According to ICAO, an applicant must be at least 17 years old, demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skill, and hold at least a Class 2 medical certificate. Different PPLs are available for different categories of aircraft, such as aeroplane, helicopter, airship, etc, and are not interchangeable, although experience from a PPL in one category may be credited towards the issue of another.

The airline transport pilot licence (ATPL), or in the United States of America, an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate, is the highest level of aircraft pilot certificate.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Aircraft maintenance technician</span> Profession and licensed qualification

An aircraft mechanic, aviation mechanic or aircraft maintenance technician (AMT) is a tradesperson who carries out aircraft maintenance and repairs. AMTs inspect and perform or supervise maintenance, preventive maintenance, repairs and alteration of aircraft and aircraft systems.

Pilot licensing or certification refers to permits for operating aircraft. Flight crew licences are issued by the civil aviation authority of each country, which must establish that the holder has met minimum knowledge and experience before issuing licences. The licence, along with the required class or type rating, allows a pilot to fly aircraft registered in the licence issuing state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilot certification in the United States</span> Pilot certification

Pilot certification in the United States is typically required for an individual to act as a pilot-in-command of an aircraft. It is regulated by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). A pilot may be certified under 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 61 or 14 CFR Part 141. Pilots may also be certified under 14 CFR Part 107 for commercial drone operations.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilot licensing in Canada</span> Canadian aircraft pilot licensing

Pilot licensing in Canada is administered by Transport Canada under the Aeronautics Act and the Canadian Aviation Regulations (CARs).

Pilot licensing in the United Kingdom is regulated by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).

An instrument rating is an authorization required for a pilot to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR). In the United States, the rating is issued by the Federal Aviation Administration.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Complex airplane</span> Aircraft term

A complex airplane is defined by the United States Federal Aviation Administration as an aircraft that has all of the following:

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Type certificate</span> Document noting the airworthiness of a certain type of aircraft

A type certificate signifies the airworthiness of a particular category of aircraft, according to its manufacturing design. Certification confirms that the aircraft of a new type intended for serial production is in compliance with applicable airworthiness requirements established by the national air law.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Flight instructor</span> Person who teaches others to operate aircraft

A flight instructor is a person who teaches others to operate aircraft. Specific privileges granted to holders of a flight instructor qualification vary from country to country, but very generally, a flight instructor serves to enhance or evaluate the knowledge and skill level of an aviator in pursuit of a higher pilot's license, certificate or rating.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program</span> Recurring flight training initiative in the United States

The WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program is a voluntary pilot training and safety initiative supported by the FAA Safety Team division of the Federal Aviation Administration in the United States. The program was created by advisory circular AC 61.91 on May 21, 1979 as the Pilot Proficiency Award Program, and it has been continuously developed to promote air safety by encouraging general aviation pilots to maintain flying proficiency through the use of online learning, in-person seminars, and tailored flight training.

Medical certifications for aircraft pilots are specified by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). ICAO sets standards and recommended practices (SARPS), which are specified in Annex 1 to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.

Ground Instructor is a certificate issued in the United States by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). There are three classes of holder, licensed to provide the ground instruction element in the training of three groups:

In the United States, a Designated Pilot Evaluator (DPE) is a senior pilot who examines applicants for a Pilot Certificate on behalf of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The DPE must check applicants’ qualifications, conduct an oral test of their mental skills and judgment, and perform a practical test in flight.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pilot logbook</span>

A pilot logbook is a record of a pilot's flying hours. It contains every flight a pilot has flown, including flight time, number of landings, and types of instrument approaches made. Pilots also log simulator time, as it counts towards training.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Master Instructor Continuing Education Program</span>

The Master Instructor Continuing Education Program (MICEP) is the world's largest voluntary accreditation program for aviation educators and is based on advanced professional standards and peer review. The program is administered by Master Instructors LLC of Longmont, Colorado, and is open to all qualified aviation educators regardless of their other affiliations. MICEP designations identify and recognize educators who have demonstrated an ongoing commitment to excellence and professional growth in, as well as service to, the aviation community.

References

  1. 1 2 "FAR 61.56". U.S. National Archives and Records Administration . Retrieved 2020-06-29.
  2. "WINGS – Pilot Proficiency Program". U.S. Department of Transportation . Retrieved 2013-11-24.
  3. Spanitz, Jackie (2005). Guide to the Biennial Flight Review: Complete Preparation for Issuing or Taking a Flight Review. Aviation Supplies & Academics. ISBN   978-1560275534.
  4. Palmer, Bradley, FAA Inspector. "Response to request for legal interpretation from the General Aviation and Commercial Division, Flight Standards Service dated 24 April 2017" (PDF). Retrieved 2017-04-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)[ permanent dead link ]