OTHERWISE KNOWN AS
THE BI-ANNUAL FLIGHT REVIEW (BFR)
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The Flight review... is an FAA requirement (14 CFR 61.56) for pilots to be considered "current to fly." Here's the deal:
With only a few exceptions (which I list below)... No pilot may act as pilot in command of an aircraft unless within the last
24 months (two years... hence the term Bi-Annual) that person has accomplished a flight review. The flight review must
be taken in an aircraft for which the pilot is rated and must be conducted by an authorized instructor. A logbook
endorsement certifying that the pilot has satisfactorily completed the review, must be written in the pilot's logbook by the
authorized instructor who gave the review.
What does a flight review consist of?
A flight review consists of a minimum of one hour of ground training and a minimum of one hour of flight training with an
FAA authorized Flight Instructor.
Ground training: A minimum of one hour which must include a review of the general operations for the
certificate held and the flight rules of part 91.
Flight Training: A minimum of one hour of flight training which basically covers any flight maneuvers and
procedures that are necessary for the pilot to demonstrate the safe exercise of the privileges for the pilot
certificate held.
What are the few exceptions mentioned above for not having to take a flight review?
You do not have to take a flight review if:
1. Within the last 24 months you have passed a pilot proficiency check for either a pilot certificate, a pilot rating, or
operating privilege, as long as the pilot proficiency check was conducted by an FAA examiner, an approved pilot check
airman, or by a U.S. Armed Force. So... if you took an Instrument Proficiency check with an FAA check airman then that
proficiency check acts as your bi annual flight review... but... if you took that instrument proficiency check with
an authorized instructor then it would not count as a flight review. Also, if within the last 24 months you passed any pilot
check ride (Private pilot, Instrument, Commercial, ATP) then you do not need the flight review.
2. Within the last 24 months you satisfactorily accomplished one or more phases of an FAA sponsored pilot proficiency
award program.
3. Within the last 24 months as a student pilot you are receiving flight training and you have a current solo flight
endorsement.
4. Within the last 24 months, if you hold a current flight instructor certificate and you have gone through a CFI renewal
program you do not have to accomplish the one hour of ground training but you do need to do the one hour of flight
training.