BFR Question

[LaTechPilot2003]

Had a question about the Biennial Flight Review...does any practical test taken add the "24 calender months" to your BFR? For example, if you take a flight instructor or a CFI add-on (say the CFII) practical test, does the 24 calendar months start from the date of that test? Or does it start from the date of your last non-CFI practical test? Some CFI's were discussing this the other day at work and was curious because I always thought the 24 calendar months started from the date of ANY practical test...

Thanks in advance!

 

[avbug]

Rather than repeat the thread, visit:

http://forums.flightinfo.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=21291

In a nutshell, no. The regulation that you're thinking about is 14 CFR 61.56(d), and specifically states "...passed a pilot proficiency check...". A practical test for a flight instructor certificate is not for a pilot certificate, but a teaching certificate, and does not meet the full requirements for a flight review, on it's own accord.

You may request, and obtain, an endorsement from the inspector or examiner to show that you completed a flight review (no such thing as a "BFR"), but this separate endorsement is required. The practical test does not count as a flighr review without the endorsement.

If you examine the regulation a little closer, you'll note that 61.56(f) allows that renewal of a flight instructor certificate counts for one hour of ground required by 61.56(a). It does not take the place of a flight review.

 

[LaTechPilot2003]

Thanks avbug...

I saw that thread right after I posted. It pretty much answered my question...should have looked harder before I posted.

 

[100LL... Again!]

Avbug is correct.

As a side note, it is kind of stupid that the CFI does not count. It certainly should be added to the list.

Maybe the Feds could creatively interpret the term "operating privelege" to include the CFI check, huh?

 

[wickedpilot]

wow! I did not know that the CFI does not qualify for a flight review.

I am about to take my CFI check ride. When the examiner is signing my logbook, should I just ask him to sign off and endorsement me for the flight review as Avbug mentioned?

 

[Groundskprwilly]

Check out the FAA's FAQ regarding part 61. It has some good info about BFR's

 

[Toy Soldier]

wickedpilot

I would clear that up with the examiner BEFORE the "logbook signing" event! It will be during this conversation that you can "feel him out" to see just how easy or difficult he will make the process.

Then, ask him to include the appropriate "oral and flight" items into the checkride to satisfy the flight review requirements.

 

[bobbysamd]

CFI practical as flight review

t is kind of stupid that the CFI does not count. It certainly should be added to the list.

Yes, it is very stupid and really should be added. I had always understood that passing a CFI practical counted as a flight review. So did plenty of far more learned aviation people than me.

I don't think that I'd try to get an EXAMINER to work with me on signing off my CFI as a flight review. I would just get the CFI who is sending me for the practical do it. He/she knows you better, knows what you know, has seen you fly more, and is more likely to be supportive of you. While the encounter may be friendly, the examinee-examiner encounter, by its very nature, is adversarial. Moreover, the examiner might try to argue with you that your CFI practical will count for your flight review. Don't make things more testy than they otherwise might be by asking for a flight review on top of a practical.

 

[Iceman21]

I was just discussing this with our chief flight instructor.

I wouldn't have a problem asking the examiner to sign-off the BFR, after all you just went over part 61, part 91, other regulations and when you flew you demonstrated your comptency to safely fly the airplane to commercial standards. You have essentially done a BFR.

Ask if Mr/Mrs Examiner says "No" then fine they don't have to sign it off. But it does show some sort of ability to read the regulations and interpret them.

 

[rainman_02]

I went a-reading through the search function and just wanted to check on a few things.

1) If I take the Mil Comp test for my Instrument, Commercial and Multi-Engine certifications, does this wave the BFR requirement per the "new pilot rating" stuff?

2) Can my AF checkrides count to cover the BFR requirement?

 

[bobbysamd]

Military pilots

1) If I take the Mil Comp test for my Instrument, Commercial and Multi-Engine certifications, does this wave the BFR requirement per the "new pilot rating" stuff?

Flight reviews are a currency requirement and not a certification issue. Isn't Mil Comp just an FAA written exam with no flying involved? Once you take that written and present your credentials to FSDO, you leave with a Commercial-Instrument certificate and equivalent ratings to your military quals. There has to be a flight(s) involved for an activity to count as a flight review.

2) Can my AF checkrides count to cover the BFR requirement?

Military pilots operate under their own currency and certification rules and not the FARs. If your AF IP or check pilot is also an FAA-certificated CFI, he/she could sign off an AF checkride in your civilian logbook as a flight review.

 

[bigsky]

It seems obvious that was an oversight on the part of whoever wrote the regulation..... Amazes me that a checkride for one of the most difficult ratings doesnt accomplish that, although a joy ride with a 50 hour instructor does. I would think someone loke AOPA could petition to change this.

 

[avbug]

The matter is really quite straight forward. Passing the practical test for a flight instructor certificate isn't passing the test for a PILOT certificate. It's passing the test for a teaching certificate.

The flight instructor certificate is far from the most difficult certificate to get. It may seem that way if you're new to flying and this is another hurdle for you, but it's nothing more than a glorified commercial pilot ride with some teaching questions...bearing in mind that the emphasis is on teaching, and not flying.

You can instruct without flight currency and without a current medical certificate...your instructor certificate isn't about flying. It's about teaching.

A flight review is about flying...not teaching. Get it?

 

[rainman_02]

Re: Military pilots

Re: bobbysamd

§61.56 Flight review.

(d) A person who has, within the period specified in paragraph (c) of this section, passed a pilot proficiency check conducted by an examiner, an approved pilot check airman, or a U.S. Armed Force, for a pilot certificate, rating, or operating privilege need not accomplish the flight review required by this section.

The way I read §61.56(d), I do not need flight reviews while I am actively flying for the AF and have a checkride within every 24 months.

Am I interpreting this statement wrong?

 

[bobbysamd]

14 CFR 61.56(d)

§61.56 Flight review.

(d) A person who has, within the period specified in paragraph (c) of this section, passed a pilot proficiency check conducted by an examiner, an approved pilot check airman, or a U.S. Armed Force, for a pilot certificate, rating, or operating privilege need not accomplish the flight review required by this section.

The way I read §61.56(d), I do not need flight reviews while I am actively flying for the AF and have a checkride within every 24 months.

Am I interpreting this statement wrong?

You have a point. I would be sure to have your AF CP or IP write it up in your civilian logbook, though.

 

[BradG]

From the FAQ section on the Summit CD:
QUESTION: The particular question is whether a flight instructor who passes a flight instructor practical test (for initial issuance or a CFI rating addition or for a reinstatement) is or is not exempt from needing a § 61.56 Flight Review for the next two years, since the reg. specifically says PILOT proficiency check.” § 6l.56 d - allows this exemption for a person who has"... passed a PILOT proficiency check.." not needing to accomplish a flight review for the next 2 years.

ANSWER: Ref. § 61.56(d); If the examiner also evaluates the applicant’s piloting skills then YES, “. . . a flight instructor practical test (for initial issuance or a CFI rating addition or for a reinstatement) . . .” would meet the requirements of a § 61.56 Flight Review. However, to make sure the applicant gets credit for successful completion of the Flight Review, the examiner should record that the § 61.56 Flight Review was satisfactorily completed in the applicant’s logbook.

§ 61.56(d) states:

(d) A person who has, within the period specified in paragraph (c) of this section, passed a pilot proficiency check conducted by an examiner, an approved pilot check airman, or a U.S. Armed Force, for a pilot certificate, rating, or operating privilege need not accomplish the flight review required by this section.




So technically, yes it count as a BFR, although do to different interpretations by different FSDO's, it would be a good idea to get the sign off.

 

[avbug]

Brad,

This has been discussed already. It does NOT count as a flight review. The FAQ site is non regulatory. Further, John Lynch and Allen Pinkston have stated in this particular answer that it does NOT count as a flight review.

It may meet the requirements of a flight review if the pilot's skills have been evaluated. However, to qualify, the appropriate endorsement MUST be placed in the applicant's logbook, specifically showing completion of a flight review.

This is a universal, unequivocal requirement, and has nothing to do with the whim of an individual FSDO. Obtaining the logbook endorsement is not a good idea, it's mandatory in the case of a flight instructor initial practical test or reinstatement. The reinstatement does not count for a flight review, but the invidivual administering the flight review may provide the appropriate endorsement certifying that a flight review has been accomplished. This endorsement is a separate and distinct function from the practical test itself. The practical test does NOT count for a flight review, but may be combined with or used toward a flight review if the pilot's skills have been evaluated, and the appropriate endorsement is received.