Last minute CFI renewal

[YaMama]

So my CFI expires at the end of August, however it would work out more convenient for me to wait until the last few days to take an online course, rather than doing it now. Has anybody done this successfully, or am I asking for trouble (and a checkride) by leaving it til last minute?

What kind of paperwork hoops do you have to jump through? I may not get home before then ...

Recommendations on which course? I've generally been impressed with AOPA/ASF's content, so I guess I'm leaning toward that one at the moment ...

Thanks,
-ym

 

[DorkProp]

I recommend either Gleim or American Flyers, both for different reasons which may help your situation.

Gleim: Last time I used them, two years ago, there was no minimum time required for each module of the course. In other words, you could open the section outline in one window and go immediately to the exam for that section in another window. That way you could refer to the outline for any questions you did not know the answer to. And because there was no timer or any minimum time required for each module, you could easily blow right through the entire course in a few hours if you really buckled down. Plus, it was cheaper than many of the other, at only $99. I do not know if their program still operates this way.

American Flyers: I switched to AF program this year simply to save money in the future as it is free to use for the rest of your life. It's more expensive than Gleim, but free next time and the next. However, there is a minimum time requirement for each section and the program will not let you take the exam for each section until you've met the time requirement. I was pressed for time and had my wife log on for me while I was on a trip and keep the timer going for me so that I could quickly take each test and move on. I would leave the timer running while I did other things. With my wife's help I was able to get it done in a couple of days.

I'm not recommending my study method as a good way to actually learn things or keep you proficient in instructing, but if, like me, you don't currently instruct and just want to keep your hard-earned CFI active, then it is certainly possible with minimal time out of your schedule.

Don't wait until the last few days of the month to start, or you will run out of time and your certificate will expire. After finishing any of the online courses, you will probably have to have the graduation certificate notarized and mail the information to the school. Or, if you live near a FSDO you can save several days. I recommend spending a few hours here and there early in the month and just get it done. Nobody says you have to set aside a full sixteen hours at one sitting.

 

[Way2Broke]

Can someone please give me the link to the gleim renewal site. I thought mine was good until for another 2 months, but just realized its only good until the end of aug. Gleim does all the paperwork right? No trip to the FSDO?

 

[landlover]

Can someone please give me the link to the gleim renewal site. I thought mine was good until for another 2 months, but just realized its only good until the end of aug. Gleim does all the paperwork right? No trip to the FSDO?

gleim will get you out of going to the fsdo but its more paper work, more money, and more time consuming. for all that, you could just go to the fsdo and save $30.

 

[Way2Broke]

gleim will get you out of going to the fsdo but its more paper work, more money, and more time consuming. for all that, you could just go to the fsdo and save $30.

This might be true if you live near the FSDO. I don't so it is worth the $30.00. However, its nice to know they give people the option.

 

[WabiSabi]

the AOPA online course does not have a minimum time requirement either. It's been a while since I used this but, I believe that I finished it in under 4 hours.

 

[Amish RakeFight]

I'm in the process of the Gleim refresher and it seems pretty easy. If you'd like to get through it quick just keep the PDF outlines opened while you answer the questions.

I'm also having gleim take care of the ACR process. Seems worth the hassle for $25.

Good luck and get it done ASAP. It can be done in one sitting in a few hours. You wouldn't want to take that CFI ride again, would you?

 

[Northern Lights]

I've done gleim a few times. The nice thing is that you can get through it fast if you need to. If you want to actually learn something, you can save the outlines, and study up later. I have usually taken about 2 weeks to do it, but my old roommate completed it in two days.