Best way to renew your CFI

[NavajoKing]

what's worked best for you guys? Online, weekend class, AOPA, American Flyers?

 

[midlifeflyer]

"Best" is relative and personal. Assuming that you don't have enough candidates to qualify on that basis, my two choices are the AOPA weekend classes and the Gleim online course.

I like the AOPA weekend classes because I think the interaction among instructors and those running the class is very valuable and the materials pretty good.

For the online courses I like Gleim because it seems to be the most flexible in terms of time and I like the materials, which are very similar is style and quality to the materials in the company's books.

 

[MauleSkinner]

As far as the online versions, I'm partial to the ASF/Jepp thing. When I did Gleim a few renewals ago, it was basically an outline of FAA publications, whereas the ASF/Jepp one expands on the information a little more to my liking.

Never done the American Flyers version, but I looked over a few modules when a former coworker was doing his. Don't remember exactly why, but it didn't impress me much.

Fly safe!

David

 

[minitour]

I personally prefer just adding another CFI rating. Did the MEI this Sept which renewed me for a while. Next will be the Glider CFI. It's always a learning experience and always a challenge.

-mini

 

[Zephyr]

what's worked best for you guys? Online, weekend class, AOPA, American Flyers?

I think one of the simplest and nicest ways to renew is through the FAA Wings program. Basically do wings programs for 5 people and take the documentation to the FSDO and you're set. I had a friend do this recently.

http://www.nafinet.org/tools/renew.html

~Z

 

[MauleSkinner]

I personally prefer just adding another CFI rating. Did the MEI this Sept which renewed me for a while. Next will be the Glider CFI. It's always a learning experience and always a challenge.

-mini

So...does adding Sport Pilot Instructor privileges count? (like powered parachute or weight shift or trike)

Fly safe!

David

 

[NavajoKing]

thanks for all the info, i can't do the wings thing since i havent used my cfi in years. i fly cargo now, i just dont want it to expire.

 

[Vspeeds]

American Flyer's

Signed up with American Flyer's. Very cheap (don't remember the amt.) maybe $100 something. Best part its LIFE MEMBERSHIP!!!!

 

[southernpilot]

What ever you do, don't let your CFI expire! I have kept mine current for 17 years through Jepp. Their online course is great, cheap, and really flexiable and user friendly. Give it a try, you won't be sorry. Try to get your employer to pay for it, many do.

 

[Rez O. Lewshun]

I always strolled into my nearest FAA FSDO and got a renewal on the spot! 15 mins. I wish they had a drive thru! Cause it takes 5 mins to walk in and 5 to walk out!

 

[Mr Wu]

If you do not intend to exercise it in the 2 years following the renewal then american flyers if the way to go. I would recommend taking a refresher course if you ever do intend to use it.

 

[svcta]

I use the american flyers thing now.....no frills this will be my 3rd year after I paid the 100 clams.

Question: I've got a lot of free time. Where can I find out more about the WINGS programs?

 

[Princedietrich]

Question: I've got a lot of free time. Where can I find out more about the WINGS programs?

Best source of info is to go right to the horse's mouth and call the local FSDO. One of the GA inspectors there will be able to fill you in on the wheres and hows. You can also read about the program here: http://www.faa.gov/safety/awards/wings/


The basic gist of it is to attend an FAA sponsored safety seminar. They usually last an hour or so and could cover any number of topics like runway incursion or winter flying. Then you get 3 hours of dual instruction in your aircraft of choice. Get a signature from whoever conducted the seminar and get a signature from the CFI you flew the 3 hours with on a special WINGS form you can obtain from the FSDO. There should also be a ready supply of the forms at the seminar. Mail the completed form to the FSDO and in a few weeks you get a certificate and a WINGS pin. You can apply for one phase every 12 months, the first 10 phases get you progressively nicer looking pins and phases 11-20 just get you a new certificate. Participation will count as a BFR.

 

[svcta]

thanks for that....I'm not interested in getting a BFR or any dual, really, more interested in giving some and keeping my CFI fresh without having to continually click the american flyers website to reset the timer. And it might be fun to take some interested parties for a ride in something cooler than a 172 and have them pay for the gas and a little of my time while all the while getting credit for my CFI renewal.

Or maybe it doesn't work like that at all.

 

[wmudriver]

My CFI expires in march...how long before it expires can I renew? I thought it was 3 months before the expiration date. I'd look it up but I'm on the road right now and I'm lazy when I'm at home. Thanks

 

[Princedietrich]

thanks for that....I'm not interested in getting a BFR or any dual, really, more interested in giving some and keeping my CFI fresh without having to continually click the american flyers website to reset the timer. And it might be fun to take some interested parties for a ride in something cooler than a 172 and have them pay for the gas and a little of my time while all the while getting credit for my CFI renewal.

Or maybe it doesn't work like that at all.

I believe that if you fly with 5 different people and give them signoffs for the wings program, that will count for you to get a CFI renew.