Flight Review Preparations
Posted: Tue May 31, 2022 11:34 am
When you approach the time for your Flight Review per FAR 61.56, what preparations should you anticipate? Have you considered the “personal comfort level” and legal responsibilities your CFI faces when coming aboard your aircraft? Or have you assumed that since YOU are getting aboard your CFI should not question the aircraft or airmans’ status…?
1- Is your pilot record (logbook) up-to-date? Do you have a current medical? Are you prepared to present your Pilot Certificate(s) for inspection? Or are you expecting a good friend who happens to be a CFI to administer a Review based upon assumptions?
The CFI may wish to examine those items to determine if your recency-of-experience will facilitate the CFIs’ lesson plan, or if a different plan for the Review is necessary.
I once had an applicant with whom I was totally unfamiliar present with no recency of experience (zero flight time) for almost 5 years. He was desiring to return to flying status and had never flown the particular model aircraft he had reserved for the activity. (Hint: A flight review is not an aircraft check-out to be accomplished in only one hour.)
I have had a person I considered a very close friend mislead me with their claim of currency and on another occasion completely misrepresent the actual ratings held. This deceit not only violated the friendship, it placed me in the position of unknowingly operating illegally.
2- Are you planning on using your own aircraft? Do you have your aircraft maintenance records (logbooks) available for inspection by the CFI..?
One of the Risks undertaken by a CFI is when an unfamiliar airplane is to serve for the flight. Not only does the CFI face personal risk of flight in an unfamiliar airplane… In some cases the CFI may have professional and personal responsibility for determining it’s Airworthiness. No one should expect another person to board an airplane in which they do not feel comfortable with its’ status.
Of course the required documents such as Registration, Airworthiness Certificate, and AFM must be on board…but those documents do not actually attest to the “Current Condition” of the aircraft.
At the very least, the applicant should prepare a “card” or note-pad with the pertinent information regarding airworthiness, such as Date of Last Annual, Status of Static-System/Transponder status, and known discrepancies (squawks). If the flight involves instrument recurrency or instrument flight in controlled airspace the static system must meet the requirements of 91.411 and in ALL flight conditions the transponder must meet 91.413.
Also, the VOR accuracy checks should be current and recorded. (FAR91.171) Have you kept a signed and dated record of those checks as required by FARs..? (FAR91.171(d)) (This is a good idea even for those who fly strictly VFR.)
Having these documents prepared beforehand will also demonstrate to your CFI that you take your aircraft and your own status seriously and will “set the table” for a good flight review.
I hope these comments are received in good spirit and found to be useful. Have a Good Flight!
1- Is your pilot record (logbook) up-to-date? Do you have a current medical? Are you prepared to present your Pilot Certificate(s) for inspection? Or are you expecting a good friend who happens to be a CFI to administer a Review based upon assumptions?
The CFI may wish to examine those items to determine if your recency-of-experience will facilitate the CFIs’ lesson plan, or if a different plan for the Review is necessary.
I once had an applicant with whom I was totally unfamiliar present with no recency of experience (zero flight time) for almost 5 years. He was desiring to return to flying status and had never flown the particular model aircraft he had reserved for the activity. (Hint: A flight review is not an aircraft check-out to be accomplished in only one hour.)
I have had a person I considered a very close friend mislead me with their claim of currency and on another occasion completely misrepresent the actual ratings held. This deceit not only violated the friendship, it placed me in the position of unknowingly operating illegally.
2- Are you planning on using your own aircraft? Do you have your aircraft maintenance records (logbooks) available for inspection by the CFI..?
One of the Risks undertaken by a CFI is when an unfamiliar airplane is to serve for the flight. Not only does the CFI face personal risk of flight in an unfamiliar airplane… In some cases the CFI may have professional and personal responsibility for determining it’s Airworthiness. No one should expect another person to board an airplane in which they do not feel comfortable with its’ status.
Of course the required documents such as Registration, Airworthiness Certificate, and AFM must be on board…but those documents do not actually attest to the “Current Condition” of the aircraft.
At the very least, the applicant should prepare a “card” or note-pad with the pertinent information regarding airworthiness, such as Date of Last Annual, Status of Static-System/Transponder status, and known discrepancies (squawks). If the flight involves instrument recurrency or instrument flight in controlled airspace the static system must meet the requirements of 91.411 and in ALL flight conditions the transponder must meet 91.413.
Also, the VOR accuracy checks should be current and recorded. (FAR91.171) Have you kept a signed and dated record of those checks as required by FARs..? (FAR91.171(d)) (This is a good idea even for those who fly strictly VFR.)
Having these documents prepared beforehand will also demonstrate to your CFI that you take your aircraft and your own status seriously and will “set the table” for a good flight review.
I hope these comments are received in good spirit and found to be useful. Have a Good Flight!