Maintaining CFI Certificate

When does a CFI Certificate Expire? (Before Dec 1, 2024)

It expires 24 calendar months from the month in which it was issued, renewed, or reinstated, as appropriate

• Exception: FAR 61.197(b)

When does a CFI Certificate expire? (After Dec 1, 2024)

A certificate issued on or after December 1, 2024, is issued without an expiration date

• BUT you must meet recent experience requirements every 24 Calendar Months to maintain privileges

How to Reinstatement of Flight Instructor Privileges within 3 calendar months of the expiration date?

• Privileges can be reinstated via an approved FIRC

  • Flight Instructor Refresher Course

  • No instructional privileges during this reinstatement period

How to Reinstatement of Flight Instructor Privileges if more than 3 calendar months have passed from the expiration date?

• An instructor practical test for one of the ratings on the expired certificate per 61.183(h)

• A practical test for an additional flight instructor rating

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Others not so applicable to Regular CFIs

• Passed a military instructor pilot or pilot examiner proficiency check

• Completed a military instructor pilot/pilot examiner training course and received an additional rating appropriate to the flight instructor rating sought

What are some of the ways to meet recent experience requirements within 24 calendar months?

Pass a practical test for:

• One of the ratings listed on your flight instructor certificate

• An additional flight instructor rating

Submit documentation with the FAA for one of the following:

• Endorsed 5 or more applicants for a checkride with ≥ 80% pass rate on their first attempt 

  • Gold Seal Instructor Certificate (apply for renewal/gold seal together if desired)

• Completion of an approved instructor refresher course in the past 3 calendar months

  • AC 61-83: Flight Instructor Refresher Course

• FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program (i.e., WINGS) meeting the following requirements:

  • Hold a current flight instructor certificate

  • Complete ≥ 1 phase of an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program in the last 12 months

  • Evaluate & endorse 15 flight activities (at least 5 pilots) under the pilot proficiency program

• Passed a military instructor pilot or pilot examiner proficiency check in an aircraft in the past 24 calendar months (considerably more detail to this - reference FAR 61.197(4))

• Served as a company check pilot or check airman, chief flight instructor, Part 121 or 135 instructor, or in a position involving the regular eval of pilots in the past 24 calendar months 

WINGS Program

• AC 61-91: WINGS – Pilot Proficiency Programs. See page 5, paragraph 6(e)

• FAAST Team Notice – WINGS CFI Renewal Opportunity