CFI Renewal

[DruDown]

I know this has been discussed before, but what are the best options for renewing a CFI certificate?

I've already renewed it once, using my percentage of students passing. Can I go into the FSDO and ask a friendly inspector to sign me off again? Do I need to do one of the online deals or take an exam with a DPE? What other options are there?

Of my options, what are the best and least time consuming?

Thanks in advance!

Dru

 

[MTpilot]

If you've got the percentage of students, thats probably the easiest way to go. Otherwise online is pretty easy, I used american flyers and they have some heavy time requirements (just time in front of the computer) but still it wasn't too bad. If you have the money and time I would catch a FIRC somewhere. As far as I know those are the only ways unless you are a check airmen or can prove that you are in a postion that involves the regular evaluation of pilots blah blah blah...

 

[Goose Egg]

Or you could always get a new add-on for your instructor certificate. That's what's kept me away from the FIRCs so far--CFII and then CFIG.

-Goose

 

[greygoose]

americanflyers has a lifetime cost of something around 100. Goes over things which is nice to review, quiz out and your done.

 

[bobbysamd]

CFI renewal

I've already renewed it once, using my percentage of students passing. Can I go into the FSDO and ask a friendly inspector to sign me off again?

An inspector can renew based on personal aquaintance and, as you know, renew based on activity. Either way takes the least amount of time. Just bring your records and a completed 8710 to FSDO. Except for one instance where a hostile inspector at an unfamiliar FSDO gave me a hard time, I essentially walked in and walked out with my fresh Temporary within minutes.

 

[BoDEAN]

I did the JEPP / ASF.ORG online renewal. Costed $119.00 and took me less than 2 days to do. Easy.

I know this has been discussed before, but what are the best options for renewing a CFI certificate?

I've already renewed it once, using my percentage of students passing. Can I go into the FSDO and ask a friendly inspector to sign me off again? Do I need to do one of the online deals or take an exam with a DPE? What other options are there?

Of my options, what are the best and least time consuming?

Thanks in advance!

Dru

 

[LearLove]

I usually have the local inspector do it for me, he's a great guy but last time mine came up I was not in the area so I went with American Flyers for $100 online. It was pretty painless and would recommend it. Also $100 bucks once and its good for life. Best deal I know of outside of knowing a local FSDO guy.

 

[DruDown]

Thanks all of you for input, I really appreciate it!

Dru

 

[wrigley23]

Just did the Jeppeson online deal. Shelling out $119 sucked, but it did the trick. It took me about six hours, or two dedicated days to finish. Very boring and redundant, but good for another two years I guess. I don't currently teach but, I felt it was important to kept it current.

 

[CandlerWun]

Don't forget Gleim's online course. You can take the first lesson free, and it counts toward completion of the course if you decide to buy it. They can renew your CFI certificate directly and mail it to you, saving you a trip to the FSDO.

Josh M.

 

[JAFI]

An inspector can renew based on personal aquaintance

The 8710 form (prior to its revision on 4/2000) did have a check box for re-newal on acquaintance. The problem was there is no guidance anywhere that says an Inspector can do this. So the check box was taken out of the current form. If an Inspector is doing this, they may be sticking their neck out.

JAFI

 

[bobbysamd]

Renewal based on acquaintance

The 8710 form (prior to its revision on 4/2000) did have a check box for re-newal on acquaintance. The problem was there is no guidance anywhere that says an Inspector can do this. So the check box was taken out of the current form. If an Inspector is doing this, they may be sticking their neck out.

Things change. Thanks, Mr. JAFI.

One other way of renewing is to take a practical, pursuant to 14 CFR 61.197(a)(1):

Sec. 61.197 - Renewal of flight instructor certificates.

(a) A person who holds a flight instructor certificate that has not expired may renew that certificate by --

(1) Passing a practical test for --

(i) One of the ratings listed on the current flight instructor certificate; or

(ii) An additional flight instructor rating . . .

My instructor renewed one time just by taking his MEI, though he never had any plans to instruct multi. I realize many people don't relish taking practicals, but going to a friendly examiner may still take less time than going to a refresher, etc.

Just another option to mention.

 

[Whiskey Tango]

How many hours does Gliem and American Flyers take to complete?

 

[nosehair]

How many hours does Gliem and American Flyers take to complete?

American Flyers' program actually times your mouse-moving activity and requires a certain amount of clock-time in each segment to equal a total of 16 hours per the regulation on FIRC renewals, HOWEVER, Gliem's program does NOT time you, and you can complete it on proficiency based on your ability to quickly answer the questions. Both are a good review.

 

[Bluto]

American Flyers' program actually times your mouse-moving activity and requires a certain amount of clock-time in each segment to equal a total of 16 hours per the regulation on FIRC renewals.

I just did the American Flyers review and had no problem with the clock ticking away with the window minimized while I was doing other things (most of the time not at the computer) In the past I've had to change the open window every 20 minutes or so to keep the clock counting, but I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with mouse movement. I've already paid for the American Flyers course, so I'll keep using it, but the test questions are badly written, frequently with multiple correct answers. They're looking to make sure you read their material, not that you actually understand it. But hey, the price is right.

 

[421Driver]

A friend of mine figured out that if you open multiple windows of what you are supposed to be studying for the American flyers course, it divdes the time required by the number of windows. So a 4 hour module could be done in an hour with four windows open. I haven't tried this, so I don't know if it works, but it's worth a shot!

 

[Bluto]

That is sneaky! Hope I remember it in '07.