CFI Renewal Refresher Course

[superfreight208]

My flight instructor Certificate expires the end of this month and I am working on the online CFI refresher course. Do I have till the end of this month to complete the course to be eligiable for the renewal requirement (61.197) of 3 calender months proceeding the expiration month? I am pretty sure if I finish it by the end of this month I am in good shape?

 

[superfreight208]

Answered own question

I guess all you have to do is search the site and you will find a bunch of CFI renewal questions.

 

[nosehair]

You have to finish the course, AND get the certificate renewed on or before the last day of the month. Emphasis on get the cert renewed. Doing the course does not, in itself renew. On 1 Dec you cannot use the course to renew.

 

[Lead Sled]

You have to finish the course, AND get the certificate renewed on or before the last day of the month. Emphasis on get the cert renewed. Doing the course does not, in itself renew. On 1 Dec you cannot use the course to renew.

That is EXACTLY correct. There are a lot of courses that will work for you. I don't know if one is really any better than another. FWIW, I have used the American Flyers program (www.americanflyers.net) for my last 3 renewals. I paid $100 for lifetime renewal priveliges - that's cut my cost down to what? $33.00 for each renewal. There might be better courses, but I doubt if they are any more cost effective. I simply run through their program, print out and sign the completion certificate and hand-carry it to our local FSDO office. I did the last one, start to finish in 2 or 3 days.

I'd get going right away. You've still got plenty of time, but if you don't have the new temporary in your pocket by the end of the month you'll be out of luck and you'll need a checkride to renew.

'Sled

 

[PropsForward]

If you are an active CFI, then don't forget that there are other ways to renew a CFI as well.

5 applicants in previous 24 months.
8 checkrides as a check airman/pilot.
5 wings program participants in previous 24 months.
and many more...

 

[Franky4Fingers]

I did my last one through Gleim (www.gleim.com). It takes a very short time to finish. Just make sure that you get to the FSDO in time to with your proof of completion.