Do you keep your CFI current?

[Gulfstreamlover]

How many of you keep your instructor ratings current?

 

[banned username 2]

I do...

I spent too much time and money earning my CFI, CFI-I and CFI-ME to let them expire.

I do the American Flyers On-Line CFI-for-Life program. (Crappy program, but it is free and does get the ticket renewed)

 

[Flyboy Sabre 65]

I do

I do for the same reasons. I spent way to money getting them to let them expire. Every two years I struggle with the decision to renew. But every time I come up with the simple fact that you never know when you might need it!!!

 

[empenage]

I dont struggle at all. I keep all mine current. For the same reasons as above. I spent way to much time and effort to get them. I plan on using them again when I retire. I have 2542 hrs. of dual given...when I hit 3000 I get a set of steak knives!

 

[fokkerjet]

AOPA/JEPPESEN CFI RENEWAL

Just finished the AOPA/Jeppesen CFI Renewal program New Years Eve........good for another 24 months. Of course, I hope never have to use this

 

[LR60BOY]

I am the only CFI in our department, and the boss pays for my renewal.

 

[hogdriver00]

CFI

I'm required to and the company pays for it so no big deal.

Hey Fokker, how was the Jep program?

 

[Brett Hull]

Me seven. Waited until the last minute.

Did anyone else have to stand outside of the FSDO while the inspector was taking care of the paperwork? Thank god for Tom Ridge and code "super duper bright red"!

 

[fokkerjet]

Re: CFI

Hey Fokker, how was the Jep program?

I like the program, 16 sections that take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes to complete. Each section has a 10 question quiz at the end. When your finished, mail off the paperwork to Jeppesen and the send you back a temporary certificate. Cost was $119.

 

[Flyingtoohigh]

Me... 8? My CFI ticket is the only thing right now that will help me start a flying career. Haven't had a chance to use my CFI yet, though.

I'm going to keep it current for a long time. It was a long road and I don't want to go through that again.

 

[ruhroa]

count me in...i pay my bi annual dues to keep the thousands invested ....... from being thrown away..........it would cost more just to get a rental plane etc to do the renewal with the faa than it costs to do a refresher course......... besides ya never know when u may need to instruct .............maybe if really lucky a son or daughter one day....wouldn't that be cool

 

[puddlejumper]

I renewed mine last February for the 2nd time. The Online Gleim was the way to go. They take care of it all for $125 and the content was kinda interesting. I used the GI Bill to get my ratings back in '98/'99 and after about 1200 hours dual given, I would hate to let all that go to waste.

-pj

 

[sydeseet]

Me 11(?). Same reason: too much effort invested to let a few hours of computer time stand in the way of renewal.

I renewed in November by way of our POI agreeing that I am involved in enough company training to count as currency. I didn't technically have any certificate endorsements but a handful of 135 PIC "sign-offs" did the trick in his book. Any of you who are a company trainer/checker/director of training may consider giving your neighborhood FSDO a call. Five minutes of paperwork and I was on my way!

 

[banned username 2]

__________________
(insert a random adage regarding aviation, choices, advice, and large breasted women.......)

What about BBQ?

 

[sydeseet]

What about BBQ?

See new signature.

I'm a team player.

 

[banned username 2]

See new signature.

I'm a team player.

 

[buttercup]

For you guys that fly for the airlines, don't bother spending money to renew or refresh your CFI!! An FAA jumpseater has the ability to do this for you for free. They'll just whip out an 8710 form and that's that. They may ask you to fly that particular leg just to make sure you're up to snuff!!

 

[Znobrdr]

Just renewed mine and will keep doing so. Had enough students in the last two years to qualify so just had to show up at the FSDO with 8710 in hand.

You need 4 first time check ride passes out of 5 in 2 years. They go in and check the names and come back with a temporary. Took 15 minutes. Yes, had to wait in the lobby too.

I also recently heard that the spot renewals are going to be tougher to get

 

[LearLove]

I heed all advice from old time pilots, especially some of the old Pan Am guys I hang out with, you never know when your going to need the CFI again. I renew and would like to do my CFII and MEI someday when US Air stops taking my cash and have some to spare.

 

[eddie]

Last time I did the Gleim, it went real fast, this time I fell for the CFI for life deal from American Flyers. They make you stay online for 16 hours even though there is only about 4 hours worth of information in the program, I guess they took the reg very literally. Maybe I'll feel better if they are still in business and I can do it free next time.

 

[Skull-One]

Absolutely! One never knows when his airline will wrongfully terminate him... Gotta' do *something* to stay current.

What a long fall from the left seat of an ERJ to the right seat of a 152! But then again, this is the flying that made me fall in love with aviation in the first place, so I can't complain.

 

[rettofly]

For you guys that fly for the airlines, don't bother spending money to renew or refresh your CFI!! An FAA jumpseater has the ability to do this for you for free. They'll just whip out an 8710 form and that's that. They may ask you to fly that particular leg just to make sure you're up to snuff!!

I used to renew this way when I was "commuting" in the DO228. Keep the paper in your bag and wait for an FAA line check or FAA observed 6-month check.
According to the presenter and a couple of fellow attendees at the AOPA clinic this past weekend, The Feds will only do this for Part 121 and 135 check airmen and instructor pilots these days. Line captains need not applyany more.
I just re-upped mine to April 2006.

 

[Learjetplt]

I let my instructor rating expire then decided I needed to use it to help me pay my bills, I had to go for a check ride with the FAA to reinstate it. I wont let it expire again.

 

[BareFooter]

Yeah, what y'all said! I worked hard to get it, don't want to let it expire and have to go through the hassle of reinstatement, I occasionally get to use it and enjoy doing so, you never know when you might need it (hope I don't have to depend on it). I've given my Dad BFR's and ICC's (he's the one who gave me the flying bug anyway). Maybe someday I can even teach my kids how to fly.

The first time I "renewed" by taking and MEI check ride and adding that to my CFI and CFII. The next two times I renewed by providing the "satisfactory passing record". The next couple of times I had my POI from the local FSDO renew it just with an 8710.

Last year I took the online FIRC from Gleim. It was great, fairly painless, and even learned some interesting stuff (I know FIRC + interesting stuff = oxymoron). They had two ways to pay for it. I think it was $99 for the course and they send you the paperwork then you take it to your FSDO or for an extra $25 they’ll do the paperwork for you through their FSDO and send you your temporary. Since I waited until the last week I figured the extra 25 bucks was smart money. (I could swear that I read in the Regs somewhere that you can’t renew until the week before it’s set to expire). I have prepared for every FAA written test I have taken with the Gleim material; it's always worked well for me.

 

[Webslinger]

CFI

Me 9...lol. Got my CFI Reissued on a .299 ride with a, do I dare to say it- decent fed! after 3yrs. of Non-use. I just asked this gentlemen after his little ride along, "hey how would you feel about renewing my CFI?" He said, no problem. Good guy based out of PHILLY. Although Im based in Chicago. Kinda nice to keep it up to date I guess.

 

[Citationkid]

Re: CFI

He said, no problem. Good guy based out of PHILLY.

The guys name wouldn't have happend to have been Ortan (or Orton) now would it?