Anyone ever use Gleims ACR to renew a CFI?

[LuckyDad]

I just did the online renewal last week, but my local FSDO is saying they only renew CFI's once a month... (what a joke, last time I just walked it in, no big deal), anyway Gleim advertises this ACR program where you send all the stuff to them and they handle it. Any opinions or experiences appreciated

 

[Whataburger]

I used them two years ago. Gonna do it again this year. Two thumbs up.

 

[ATA73Pilot]

I have used them for my last three renewals.

Quick, painless, cheap.

Pay the extra $25 to have them handle the paperwork processing.

 

[AlbieF15]

ditto--just did it this month. When I left out some paperwork, got a call the next day from very nice lady who told me exactly what needed to be done. Great service--painless class.

 

[Wasted]

Done it several times. No problems.

 

[PSL]

Two comments:

I agree with the previous posters that GLEIM's renewal service fee of $25.00 is money well spent. One word of advice ... do not get close to your CFI expiration date and expect to have your CFI renewed on the last day of validity.

I would make absolutely sure my course was completed and GLEIM has accepted payment for processing the renewal at least 14 days before your CFI expires. The last thing you want to hear is you missed your renewal by a day which forces you to take a ride with a DPE or Inspector to revalidate your ticket.

Second comment ...

The FAA, at least at the FSDO level, is under significant budgetary pressures and hence staffing suffers. This 'issue' has received a great deal of press.

I know from personal experience the Baltimore FSDO has done an extremely good job of doing 'more with less'. They may take a little longer to get to some requests, but the quality of service has not been negatively affected.

As to the 'CFI renewal once a month at your FSDO' ... I don't know what to say other than reduce your stress level and pay GLEIM to do your leg work.

Good luck ...

 

[NYCPilot]

Never did a refresher course, but its coming up in a few months.

Whats it like and how long will it take. Sounds like the Gliem program is pretty good. Doesnt AOPA offer it too?

 

[a320drivr]

Our POI has done mine the last 3 times. Will yours not do it for you?

 

[Gator1999]

The first time I renewed I attended one of those weekend classes and it was a complete waste of time. However, I didn't feel like paying the money to them to handle my paperwork and jumped through hoops with the local FSDO. All of a sudden after 9-11, they only take appointments 3 times a week on tues, wed and thurs. And during a 4 hour window from 12-4.

The next time I renewed, I did the Jeppesen course which was 10 times better and I had them handle my paperwork...painless and completely stress free.

Save yourself the stress by avoiding those ******************************bags in the FSDO's...

 

[LaidOffAgain]

Not sure about the Gleim refresher but used the books to study for all the writtens and loved them. I have been doing the American Flyers lifetime CFI renewal. It used to be $125 for lifetime. Already used it 4 times and it is great. You can pay to have all the paperwork handled for you but that isn't included in the 125. Just study online and take the tests. Good luck.

 

[SWA/FO]

Most POIs will do it - if you're a Capt. For the rest of us lowly FOs the gliem is outstanding. I've done the Jepps program too...but liked the Gliem one better.

 

[Hair-on-Fire]

Try American flyers. They're $125 for life. I've renewed 3 times over the last 5 years and been happy with it. They also offer the paperwork processing for something like 30 bucks. Works good....lasts long time

www.americanflyers.net

 

[JanaBJana]

Gleim

Just signed up for the Gleim CFI Refresher. I've heard good things!

 

[Crossky]

Try American flyers. They're $125 for life. I've renewed 3 times over the last 5 years and been happy with it. They also offer the paperwork processing for something like 30 bucks. Works good....lasts long time

$125 for life is the best thing about them, I've tried Gleim and Flyers and like the Gleim program content better, they seem to update it better than Flyers. Although the last time I tried Gleim I though they required too much time on some subject matter and not enough on others. Haven't tried AOPA, might next time.

 

[TheSulaco]

the bad thing about the american flyers program is that you have to spend a certain amount of time on each section, I think it is 50 min. On the Gleim program you are suppose to take 50 min on each section but it usually only takes like 10 min or so. You will get through complete Gleim program in a couple hours. I definately give it two thumbs up

 

[turn&pull]

American Flyers worked well for me. Boring as can be, but I will use the lifetime renewal for some years I suspect.

 

[XLDaddy]

the bad thing about the american flyers program is that you have to spend a certain amount of time on each section, I think it is 50 min. On the Gleim program you are suppose to take 50 min on each section but it usually only takes like 10 min or so. You will get through complete Gleim program in a couple hours. I definately give it two thumbs up

You used to be able to get around that time requirement by just staying logged on, go do stuff, walk the dog, whatever then come back and take the test for that section. That worked the last time I did it, not sure if it still works that way?