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What are my options
for renewing my flight instructor certificate within the next few
months? (top)
You have several options available to you, each with their own advantages.
They are: Attend an approved Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic (FIRC) program; take a practical
test with the FAA or an authorized designated examiner; present
a record of training showing that during the past 24 months you
have endorsed at least five students for a practical test, with
at least 80 percent (four students) passing on the first attempt;
or present a record showing that within the past 24 months you have
served as a company check pilot, chief flight instructor, company
check airman, or flight instructor in a Part 121 or Part 135 operation,
or in a position involving the regular evaluation of pilots in which
the FAA inspector is acquainted with the duties and responsibilities
of the position, and has satisfactory knowledge of its current pilot
training, certification and standards.
What is acceptable
as positive identification of the applicant when submitting an FAA
Form 8710? (top)
You need a photo ID containing your picture, your current residential
address, and a signature. Ideally, these three items should be on
one identification card, and a driver's license is the preferred
form. (Before coming the the FIRC, check to make sure that your
driver's license is current and shows your correct address). However,
you can use more than one form of ID to establish your identification,
such as a military ID or passport. Your application form must contain
your actual residential address, and your ID must have that same
address. If you have no residential address (such as in an extremely
rural area) then you must draw a map showing where you live; bringing
a predrawn map with you when you come to the FIRC will save you
considerable time and aggravation.
How does one determine
the 4-month instructor certificate renewal window established by
FAR 61.197? Does the 4-month period start the day of your FIRC graduation?
(top)
No. The renewal window is four calendar months prior to your expiration month. For example, if your certificate expires in July, you could complete a FIRC as early as April 1, submit your application, and you would retain your original expiration date of July.
What happens if
I take a FIRC program more than 4 months in advance of my certificate's
expiration date? (top)
If you take the FIRC more than four months prior to your expiration
month, and elect to carry your 8710, graduation certificate, and
unexpired flight instructor certificate to the local FSDO yourself,
it will be renewed for the end of the month in which you took the
FIRC. However, the FIRC graduation certificate is good for only
3 calendar months, so applicants must be careful not to exceed that
period. If you elect to have the ASF process your application through
the FAA, your expiration date will be the same month in which you
took the FIRC.
What
advantage is it to allow ASF to handle the paperwork to revalidate
my CFI, compared to visiting my local FSDO and letting them take
care of it? (top)
Unlike other FIRC providers, ASF does not charge extra for processing
your CFI revalidation, and -- particularly with post-9/11 security
precautions -- allowing ASF to handle the revalidation will save
you an immense amount of hassle. If you decide to take your renewal
program paperwork to the local FSDO yourself, be aware that you
can no longer just walk into the FSDO. You must make an appointment
-- well in advance, in most cases -- and be prepared to go through
complex identification procedures. Also, all the extra security
duties that have been assigned to FAA inspectors leave them with
precious little time for routine duties, such as renewing CFI certificates.
There have been cases where CFIs declined ASF's offer to renew their
certificates, and then were unable to get an appointment with an
FAA inspector until it was too late.
What is ASF's 4 month guarantee? (top)
Renew your CFI through ASF, either live or online, no more than
4 months prior to your expiration date. When done in accordance
with FAR 61.197(b), and ASF handles your renewal paperwork, we guarantee
you'll keep your original expiration date. For example, if your
certificate expires August 31, you may complete a FIRC anytime in
May, June, July or August and retain the August 31 expiration.
If my flight instructor
certificate has expired, can I still renew on the basis of graduating
from a FIRC? (top)
No, you must hold a valid, unexpired flight instructor certificate at the time you submit your application for renewal. Although attendance at a FIRC would certainly be beneficial from a knowledge standpoint, it could not be used as the basis for your renewal.
What are my options for renewal if my instructor certificate has expired? (top)
You only have one option -- a checkride. The FAA refers to this
as a "reinstatement." In most areas, this means a ride with your
local FAA inspector, but some flight standards district offices
(FSDOs) have authorized designated examiners to handle reinstatements.
The good news is that you don't need to take a knowledge test, and
one ride will suffice to renew all the ratings listed on that expired
flight instructor certificate.
I hold a flight
instructor certificate with both airplane and helicopter ratings.
Will attendance at a FIRC program renew both ratings?
(top)
The regulation does not require you to attend an airplane or helicopter FIRC program. You may attend any FIRC program and renew all the ratings on your flight instructor certificate.
Now that the FAA requires a flight instructor to have a certificate in his or her "physical possession," how am I to instruct if I surrender my certificate for renewal at one of your programs? (top)
FAR 61.3(d) also states "...or other documentation acceptable to the administrator." The FAA's policy on this issue was revealed in the preamble of the Part 61 corrections document issued on July 30, 1997. It states that a FIRC graduation certificate is acceptable documentation to the administrator. You may carry your graduation certificate as evidence that you hold a flight instructor certificate until you receive your temporary certificate. ASF"s graduation certificate includes a small card that will fit conveniently in your wallet or purse.
I was able to renew my certificate two years ago by taking it to the local FSDO and having it reissued based on the inspector's personal knowledge of me. I don't see that option listed under FAR 61.197. What happened? (top)
That option still exists but is not formally recognized in the regulations. An FAA inspector may renew your flight instructor certificate based on his or her personal knowledge of you as a flight instructor. You may, however, find inspectors reluctant to exercise this option.
I recently added
an instrument rating to my flight instructor certificate, which
was issued 12 months ago. Do I need to renew my original flight
instructor certificate in another 12 months (24 months from the
original issuance), or does the additional rating extend the renewal
period? (top)
An additional flight instructor rating "resets" the renewal clock. Because you were issued a new rating on your flight instructor certificate, you should have a certificate with an expiration date 24 months from the date you obtained that rating. That new date is your expiration date.
May I use a simulator to take a practical test for the renewal of my flight instructor certificate? (top)
Yes, but FAR 61.197(c) only authorizes the use of a flight simulator or flight training device (FTD) when used in conjunction with an approved course under a Part 142 training center.
If I became ill or was forced to discontinue the program due to a family emergency, what would happen? Would I have to repeat the program, or would the FAA accept the circumstances and renew my certificate? (top)
To receive a graduation certificate, you must complete the FIRC
program. If sickness or some other type of emergency forces you
to discontinue, you will be issued a certificate of partial completion
listing the number of hours you attended. To obtain a graduation
certificate, you must complete the remaining hours at your earliest
convenience, but in no case later than the expiration date on your
instructor certificate. One of the advantages of attending an ASF
course is that we offer many programs across the nation, making
it easy to complete the course. There is no additional charge for
attending a second live ASF FIRC if, for emergency reasons, you
were unable to complete the first one. You may also switch to the
online CFI renewal course. We will issue a refund for the tuition
fee less $30 for the ASF course kit.
Do I have to surrender my certificate for renewal at the FIRC, or can I take my graduation certificate and application directly to the local FSDO for renewal? (top)
You do not have to renew your certificate at the program. You may choose to take your application and graduation certificate directly to the FSDO for renewal. If you do, make sure you submit your application before your certificate expires and within 3 calendar months after your FIRC graduation month.
I have a graduation
certificate from a FIRC program I attended more than 3 months ago,
but was delayed in submitting my application to the local FSDO.
Can I still renew my flight instructor certificate using my graduation
certificate from that FIRC program? (top)
Unfortunately, you're out of luck. But you are really out
of luck if your CFI certificate has also expired. Your FIRC graduation
certificate expires 3 calendar months after the month of issuance.
For example, if you completed the FIRC in April, your FIRC certificate
expires the end of July. If you have enough time before your certificate
expires, you can enroll in another FIRC, show you have endorsed
at least five students for a practical test (80 percent must pass),
or exercise other options outlined in FAR 61.197.
Do I need a current
medical certificate to renew my flight instructor certificate at
your program? (top)
No. A current medical is not required to renew your flight instructor certificate. In fact, a current medical is not even required to instruct as long as you do not act as the pilot in command of the aircraft.
When filling out
the 8710 application form for my renewal, do I need to complete
section III, Record of Pilot Time? (top)
There is no requirement to complete the record of pilot time section
of Form 8710 for a flight instructor renewal. You may, however,
want to do this for other reasons. It might serve as possible proof
of previous time should you lose your logbooks. Whether it would
be accepted without questions is debatable, but something is always
better than nothing.
My schedule will not allow me to devote a full weekend to a FIRC program. Can I attend and spend a day at one location and then finish the program requirements at a different location on a different day? (top)
The FAA has not provided any real guidance on this question, nor does the regulation prohibit it. The live FIRC program was not designed to be taken over an extended period of time. Consider taking the CFI renewal online course.
I just discovered
that my flight instructor certificate is missing, and I'm scheduled
to attend a FIRC program next week. Can I submit an application
form without my instructor certificate? (top)
You must submit your flight instructor certificate with an application
form. If your certificate is lost, you may request a faxed confirmation
notice directly from the FAA by calling 405/954-3261. This confirmation
notice may be used in lieu of the actual certificate. You can also
contact your local FSDO for assistance.
Which renewal method should I choose? (top)
Choose the one that fits your particular lifestyle and time constraints.
Each renewal method has its advantages and disadvantages. Attending
a FIRC program has a number of advantages over other methods, including
a renewal based on student activity. Not only does it provide you
with the latest information on regulations, technology, and teaching
techniques, it also provides you with an opportunity to network
with other flight instructors in your area. CFI renewal online provides the latest information and can be done
at your convenience from home.
How
can I get more information on the dates, times, and locations of
your programs? (top)
The AOPA Air Safety Foundation offers renewal courses throughout the United States. Of course, the simplest way is to register online for the live weekend course now!
You can also call 800/638-3101 and talk to one of our course registration
specialists. They can help you locate a course that is convenient
and take your registration right over the phone. Or, you may choose to enroll in the CFI renewal online.
Still have questions? Contact ASF for answers.
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