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Flight Training > CFI Expiration

On October 1, 2024, the FAA released a Final Rule regarding the expiration of Flight Instructor certificates.

Summary: To reduce costs associated with issuing new certificates every 2 years, the FAA is removing the expiration date from flight instructor certificates, which previously expired 24 months after issuance, renewal, or reinstatement. With the expiration date removed, existing renewal requirements have been converted into “recent experience requirements,” which flight instructors must meet to maintain their instructional privileges.

Though the certificates will no longer expire, instructors must maintain their privileges by meeting recent experience requirements every 24 calendar months. If they do not, instructors must reinstate their flight instructor certificates by meeting specific requirements, such as taking a flight instructor practical test. A significant change is that instructors can now reinstate their recent experience requirements within 3 months of lapsing by completing a Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC), effectively providing a 3-month grace period. This final rule is effective Dec 1, 2024.

Detailed Changes:

1.  Expiration Date Removal: Flight instructor certificates no longer have an expiration date. Instead of renewing their certificates every 2 years, instructors must meet “recent experience requirements” to maintain their instructional privileges.

2. Recent Experience Requirements: Every 24 calendar months, flight instructors must meet recent experience requirements based on their instructional activities. This can be achieved by:

    • Completing an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program (i.e., the WINGS program) involving 15 activities rather than 15 hours of flight training.
    • Meeting practical test endorsement and first-time pass rate requirements.
    • Completing an approved Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC) within 3 months of a lapse in recent experience.

3. Documenting Recent Experience: Instructors must use FAA Form 8710-1 or FAA Form 8710-11 to document recent experience. These forms allow the FAA to track and confirm that flight instructors meet the necessary recent experience requirements. The information is accessible via the Airmen Certificate Information website, providing transparency for clients, employers, learners, and other interested parties to verify an instructor’s currency and qualifications.

4. Qualifications for Training Initial Flight Instructor Applicants: Due to a shortage of Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs), the rule also updates qualifications for instructors training initial flight instructor applicants. Two new options are available for those who have held their Flight Instructor certificate for less than 24 calendar months.

    • Option 1: Instructors must have at least 200 hours of flight training as a flight instructor for airplane, rotorcraft, or powered-lift ratings (80 hours for a glider rating). After completing these hours, instructors can graduate from an FAA-approved flight instructor enhanced qualification training program.
    • Option 2: Instructors qualify by having trained and endorsed at least five applicants for a practical test for a pilot certificate or rating, with at least 80% passing on their first attempt

5. Reinstating a Certificate After Recent Experience Lapses: Previously, reinstating a certificate required completing a flight instructor certification practical test for one of the ratings on the expired certificate or for an additional rating. Now, instructors can also reinstate their certificate by completing an approved FIRC, as long as their recent experience has not lapsed for more than 3 calendar months.

If you need to meet the new recent flight experience requirements, the Gleim Online FIRC is a practical solution. As the first ever online FIRC provider, we are known for our superior customer service and offer a flexible and convenient course. Start your free demo today.

 

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