Flight Review

Dear Fellow Pilot,

Thank you for the opportunity to fly with you. This website will to provide some helpful background information and establish expectations leading up to the flight review (formerly known as the biennial flight review). The outline serves not only to inform you of my expectations, but also to the expectations that the FAA has outlined. It is an opportunity for you to spend time with a CFI to review weak areas, learn new skills, and become a safer, more competent pilot.

As you are aware, a flight review is required every 24 calendar months for all pilots who wish to act as PIC of an aircraft. The review is a proficiency evaluation designed to be completed in an economical and expeditious manner, while providing a learning experience. Advisory Circular 61-98 outlines the guidance the FAA has provided to all flight instructors for completing a flight review. To be clear, a flight review is not a checkride. However, for satisfactory completion of the checkride, you will need to demonstrate proficiency to the level of the certificate you hold. These standards can be found in the latest Airman Certification Standards (ACS). All FAA documents are available as free PDF downloads from the FAA.gov website. Please note the “special emphasis areas” that the FAA has highlighted at the beginning of the ACS that will receive special attention (i.e. checklist usage, stall/spin avoidance, etc).

While FAR 61.56 states the minimum flight and ground time is 1 hour each, please understand that the actual amount of time will vary based on how regularly the pilot flies. It may take several hours to meet the proficiency expected by the FAA.

Below is a training checklist consisting of items you should complete prior to our meeting. This ensures all areas of operation are sufficiently covered. An open-book study guide review and checklist are also included. I will cover the items listed on the checklist, as well as additional areas you’d like to focus on or review. I have also linked a Pilot Aeronautical History form which I would ask for you to complete and return as soon as possible prior to our meeting. This will help me assess your experience so that the flight review can be tailored specifically for you.

My intent is to evaluate your ability to be a safe and knowledgeable pilot while exercising the privileges of your certificate, but also provide an opportunity to learn something!

Your support will make this an enjoyable experience. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

John Gorgoglione

CFI, CFII, MEI

978-219-4439 | info@jedairaviation.com | jedairaviation.com

Flight Review Checklist

Step 1 : Preparation (to be completed by Pilot prior to review. Please complete as much as possible prior to the session.)

  1. Pilot Aeronautical History (complete and return ASAP)

  2. Flight Review Regulations Worksheet (emailed)

  3. Flight Review Preparation Course

  4. Cross Country Flight Plan Assignment (use attached checklist for assistance)

  5. Bring your View Limiting Device for the flight!

Step 2 : Ground Review (completed with CFI prior to flight)

  1. Regulatory Review

  2. Cross Country Flight Plan Review

    1. Weather

    2. Risk Management

  3. General Aviation Security Issues

Step 3 : Flight Activities (from Private or Commercial ACS)

  1. Basic Skills

  2. Systems Knowledge

  3. Aeronautical Decision Making

Step 4 : Postflight Discussion

Step 5 : Aeronautical Health Maintenance and Improvement Plan

  1. Personal Minimums Checklist

  2. Personal Proficiency Practice Plan

  3. Training Plan (if desired)

Preparation

PLEASE COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING PRIOR TO THE FLIGHT REVIEW

Completing these items ahead-of-time will assist you in accomplishing the requirements of FAR 61.56, as it relates to the ground portion of the flight review. It will help you identify any strong areas, as well as help remind you of some things you may have not used for a while and may need some work on. It will also serve as a more economical means of covering the required material, rather than one-on-one with a CFI

  1. Complete the Flight Review Regulations Worksheet. It has been emailed to you. Please email us the completed copy, or print and bring with you during your appointment. This is an open-book worksheet in which you may use the FAR/AIM. Make sure you have a current copy! It is available for free via the eCFR.

  2. Complete the Flight Review Preparation Course at www.faasafety.gov and email us the certificate of completion (or print and bring with you). This will be a scenario-based review of the regulations. Completion of the exam will also provide WINGS Credit.

  3. Complete the AOPA Runway Safety Course and email us the certificate of completion (or print and bring with you). Completion time will vary from 15-60 minutes depending on knowledge level. The course also counts toward completion of FAA Wings credits.

  4. Plan a VFR Cross Country from KORE to KORH. This is a short cross country, with one leg focused on cross country procedures, and the returning leg focused on flight maneuvers. In your planning, please be sure to do the following:

    1. Complete a VFR navigation log. This can be done using an electronic flight computer, E6B (whiz wheel) or an online flight planning source (SkyVector, ForeFlight, etc).

    2. Obtain a standard weather briefing (What different ways can you do it?)

    3. Obtain all information concerning the flight as required by FAR 91.103, including, but not limited to, runway lengths, available lighting, radio aids to navigation, traffic delays, NOTAMS, TFRs, traffic pattern procedures, etc. (Where is this found?)

    4. Obtain takeoff, climb, cruise, and landing performance based on real weather for the day of flight (How much runway are we going to use?)

    5. Calculate weight and balance using actual aircraft data.

Pilot

Experience

  • Recent flight experience (61.57)

Responsibility

  • Authority (91.3)

  • Preflight Action (91.103)

  • Safety belts (91.107)

  • Flight crew at station (91.105)

Cautions

  • Careless or reckless operations (91.13)

  • Dropping objects (91.15)

  • Alcohol or drugs (91.17)

  • Supplemental oxygen (91.211)

  • Fitness for flight (AIM 8-1)

Regulatory Review Guide

Aircraft

Airworthiness

  • Basic (91.7)

  • Flight manual, markings, placards (91.9)

  • Certifications required (91.203)

  • Instrument equipment requirements (91.205)

    • ELT (91.207)

    • Position Lights (91.209)

    • Transponder (91.215)

    • Inoperative Equipment (91.213)

Maintenance

  • Responsibility (91.403)

  • Maintenance required (91.405)

  • Maintenance records (91.417)

  • Operation after maintenance (91.407)

Inspections

  • Annual, AD’s, 100-hour (91.409) ●

  • Altimeter and Pitot-static system (91.411)

  • VOR check (91.171)

  • Transponder (91.413)

  • ELT (91.207)

Environment

Airports

  • Markings (AIM 2-3)

  • Operations (AIM 4-3, 91.126, 91.125)

  • Traffic Patterns (91.126)

Airspace

  • Altimeter Settings (91.121, AIM 7-2)

  • Minimum Safe Altitudes (91.119, 91.177)

  • Cruising Altitudes (91.159, 91.179, AIM 3-1-5)

  • Speed Limits (91.117)

  • Right of Way (91.113)

  • Types of Airspace (AIM 3)

    • Controlled Airspace (AIM 3-2, 91.135, 91.131, 91.130, 91.129)

    • Class G Airspace (AIM 3-2, 91.135, 91.131, 91.130, 91.129)

    • Special Use Airspace (AIM 3-4, 91.133, 91.137, 91.141, 91.143, 91.143)

  • Emergency Air Traffic Rules (91.139, AIM 5-6)

Air Traffic Control & Procedures

  • Services (AIM 4-1)

  • Radio Communications (AIM 4-2 & Pilot/Controller Glossary)

  • Clearances (AIM 4-4)

  • Procedures (AIM 5)

Weather

  • Meteorology (AIM 7-1)

  • Wake Turbulence (AIM 7-3)

External Pressures / Miscellaneous

  • Personal Minimums Checklist

  • Risk Management (3-P Model)

  • ACS Special Emphasis Items

    • Spatial Disorientation

    • Wake Turbulence

    • Low Level Wind Shear Avoidance

    • Checklist Usage

    • Positive Exchange of Flight Controls

    • Runway Incursion Avoidance

Pilot's Aeronautical History for Flight Review

This form is designed to allow the CFI to tailor the flight review to your specific experience level. Once complete, please sign below endorsing that the information provided is accurate to the best of your ability. Information provided does not need to be exact, an approximate value is acceptable.