Flight Review

Written by Arwyn Jones | 05 March 2009

Flight Review (BFR)

The Flight Review an instructional service designed to assess a pilot's knowledge and skills.  The objective is to ensure that pilots have the opportunity to fly with a flying instructor of their own choice for an appraisal of their pilot proficiency and to seek assistance or guidance if any identified deficiency.

Requirements:  FAR 61.56(c) states that no pilot may act as pilot in command of an aircraft unless, since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month in which that pilot acts as pilot in command, that person has:

• accomplished a flight review in an aircraft for which that pilot is rated by an appropriately rated instructor
• a  logbook endorsed by the person who gave the review certifying that the person has satisfactorily completed the review

A flight review consists of a minimum of 1 hour of flight instruction and 1 hour of ground instruction, and must include:

• a review of the current general operating and flight rules of Part 91
• a review of those maneuvers and procedures which, at the discretion of the person giving the review, are necessary for the pilot to demonstrate the safe exercise of the pilot certificate
• Exception: A current CFI who satisfactorily completed a renewal of their certificate with a FIRC, need not accomplish the 1 hour ground.

You may accomplish the flight review requirements in combination with the recent flight experience requirements at the discretion of the instructor conducting the review.

Pilot Resources:

US AOPA ASF Pilot's Guide to the Flight Review (download)

AOPA Pilots'guide to returning to flying

CFI Resources:

The FAA has developed new flight review guidance for CFIs to conduct BFRs (download)

Pre-Flight Briefing

Before beginning the review a CFI should interview the pilot to determine the nature of his flying and operating requirements including:

• Type of equipment most often flown
  • Light twin vs. Single engine
  • Conventional vs. Tricycle gear
  • Most complex
  • Possibly more than one category/class
• Nature of flight operations
  • Long distance vs. Local area
  • Class B airspace airports
  • IFR vs. VFR
• Amount and recency of flight experience
  • Review logbook for total time and last flight
  • Type of flight experience
  • Upgrade to faster, more complex aircraft
• Agreement on conduct of review
  • Reach understanding on how review will be conducted
  • Suggest reading materials for study prior to review
  • What equipment is required for review
  • Criteria for satisfactory completion of review

The Ground Portion

• Tailored review of the General operating and
• Flight Rules of FAR Part 91, Subparts A & B
• Visual Flight Rules, Subpart B
• Night Flight Rules, part 61 & 91
• Instrument Flight Rules,  (if rated)
• Equipment, Instrument, and Certification Requirements, Subpart C
• Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance and Alterations, Subpart E
• Airman's Information Manual
• Aircraft Operating Handbook
  • Limitations
  • Airspeeds for Safe Operation
  • Systems Operation
  • Emergency Procedures
• Review of the Aircraft Logbooks and maintenance records
• Weight and Balance calculation
• Calculating required runway lengths
• Weather reports and forecast
  • Wind shear and Wake Turbulence
  • Convective Activity
• Cross-Country Flight Plan Assignment
  • How do I know that the computer-generated information is correct?
  • Does the computer-generated information pass the “common sense” test?
  • Does this plan include all the information I am required to consider?
  • Does this plan keep me out of trouble?
  • What will I do if I cannot complete the flight according to this plan?
    
• Review of aviation security including TFR & preflight briefings
• Risk Management & Personal Minimums
  
• Preflight Inspection Procedures

The Flight Portion

• Physical Airplane Skills - At least those maneuvers considered critical for safe flight:
  • Stalls
  • Slow Flight
  • Takeoffs and Landings
  • Emergency Procedures
  • Instrument Competency
  • Navigation Procedures
• Mental Airplane Skills - knowledge of systems, avionics installed
• Aeronautical Decision-Making
• Scenario - cross country flight
  • a diversion
• Based upon in-flight assessment of skills, the instructor may:
  • Add any maneuver from the Practical Test Standards (PTS) for certificates you hold
• Provide additional instruction on weak areas, based upon pre review plan
  • may defer to a follow-up flight
  • satisfactory completion

Debriefing

• 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 Practical Test Standards?
• Personal Minimums Checklist
  
• Personal Proficiency Practice Plan
  
• Training Plan (if needed)
  
• If the pilot did not perform to PTS standards, he is NOT eligible for a flight review endorsement.  In that case, additional training should be planned to help the pilot meet the standard.  Its likely that the completion of the FAA "Wings" Pilot Proficiency Award, a three hour flight training plan might go a long way to helping a pilot achieve the flight review.  If performance is consistently below PTS standards, CFI will log dual time but not provide endorsement
  • Further dual instruction may be required
  • Pilot can continue to fly if within the 24 month period
  • If pilot is dissatisfied, he may seek flight review from another instructor.
  • If successful, endorsement will be provided in accordance with the current issue of AC61-65.