CFI Renewal

[UPSFO]

I need to renew my CFI Certificate and American Flyers has an on-line deal for $100. Does anyone have experience with this program? It sounds reasonably priced and convenient. Can anyone recommend any other options?

....Thanks

 

[UPS Capt]

I've used Gleim the last few times and would recommend it. It's painless and they'll send all the required paperwork to the FAA.

http://www.gleim.com/support/aviation/firc.php

Jeppesen also has an online renewal course.

http://www.cfirenewalonline.com/

 

[bobbysamd]

Alternate CFI renewal methods

You can renew at FSDO based on activity and not worry about attending a seminar if you've been instructing. Instructing in air transport service counts.

If you're friendly with a fed (I realize the oxymoron aspects), the fed can renew you based on acquaintance. I did that for my last renewal

By the same token, another method is to have an 8710 completed and in your flight bag. The next time your POI visits and/or you're line checked approach the fed nicely and ask if he/she might be willing to renew your certificate. Chances are, he/she will.

You can make the same request when you upgrade a seat, too.

Hope these ideas also help.

 

[regionalcap]

I used american flyers last year. The course is pretty easy but you have to log so much time on the computer to advance through each chapter. Plus you can renew for free for the rest of your career after the one time 100 dollar fee. Our poi will only renew for airline pilots if they are instructing in the training department. All feds are different so you never know.

 

[UPSFO]

Thank you very much for all your input. I really appreciate it. Once I choose and complete a program, I'll post my experience. As for revalidating with the POI, it used to be a great deal and I've done that the last four years. I've been told that the FAA has recently decided to validate only those that are actively instructing. Perhaps Jeps, Flyers or Gleim put a little economic pressure on the Feds to ensure their businesses grow!

Thanks again all. You've been very helpful.....John

 

[midlifeflyer]

I'll add my Gleim recommendation. I looked at the demos for American Flyers, Jepp/AOPA and Gleim.

Even with the American Flyers on-time fee "forever" I ended up choosing Gleim. The primary reason was that the material was in pdf format which meant (1) it may not have been as glitzy as some of the other's multimedia, it was faster and (2) I was able to keep all the materials (which were up to Gleim's overall excellent standards)

 

[Lindy]

I also second GLEIM. It was quite painless and didn't need to maintain a log-in for hours. After the questions were successfully answered, you continue onto the next Chapter. Additionally, it isn't necessary to complete each Chapter in a specific order and decided to block certain Chapters together for ease and clarity.

Because I only a few days before the expiration of my certificate, I took everything to the FSDO. It was very easy -- the drive to the FSDO took longer than the renewal.

 

[Jack Ernie]

Talk to your local FSDO and find out if they are having any of the "Wings" programs prior to your CFI expiring. I did that to renew last time and it was a great way to fly and update together.

 

[pireps]

I did the Jepp/AOPA CFI renewal online and I must say it was a piece of cake. No minimum time requirements, but you do have to read some of the texts closely to get all the questions right... Plus, they have all these funny little videos and animations from keeping you from falling asleep! I got my temporary certificate two weeks after sending in my paperwork and my permanent four weeks later. It's not the cheapest, but it's the most entertaining!