AC 61-83J

Historical

Advisory circular · Nationally Scheduled, FAA-Approved, Industry-Conducted Flight Instructor Refresher Course

A newer version is currentThis is a historical version. AC 61-83K is the version in force, approved October 30, 2024.
Approved
September 13, 2018
Last reviewed
July 1, 2024
Cancels
AC61-83H
Family
AC 61-83 · 8 versions
Revision
J
14 CFR parts
61
14 CFR sections
§ 61.197

Guidance, not mandatory unless a rule or AD requires it. DRS record last changed November 21, 2025.

Show pages 37–48

A ppendix A A-13 pr omoting attributes such as aeronautical knowledge, aeronautical skill, and ADM.

Pilot proficiency pays off because a highly proficient pilot is able to avoid or manage an in-f light emergency in a routine, safe, and efficient manner. The GAJSC recommends that pilots place emphasis focused on their specific proficiency needs by including training that may exceed regulatory minimum currency requirements. FIRCs can use this information to emphasize proficiency and training programs to reduce the risk of GA accidents. FIRC providers should include awareness training for instructors to learn that the GAJSC is the primary vehicle for government–industry cooperation, communication, and coordination on GA accidents. A FIRC provider’s LOC lesson should emphasize that GAJSC findings reveal common pilot errors leading to LOC, while GAJSC recommendations provide appropriate antidotal actions to reduce LOC and GA accidents. This information includes personal skill limitations, distractions, and spatial disorientation that lead to GA accidents. The flight instructor’s awareness of this information can directly benefit the effectiveness of student training. Trainees should understand that poor ADM, poor weather conditions, runway incursions, and poor aeronautical skills hold the potential to trigger LOC. The GAJSC is a vital contributor to the goal of reducing GA accidents. Flight instructors should consider GAJSC findings and recommendations when conducting flight reviews, IPCs, and instructing other pilots on creating their personal currency action plans. AC 61 -98 a nd the Airplane Flying Handbook (FA A-H-8083-3) both include sections pertaining to LOC.

A.12 ACS. Since September 2011, the FAA has worked with aviation community stakeholders to improve standards, guidance, and test development practices for airman certification.

The ACS framework integrates and aligns standards, guidance, and testing for airman certification. The ACS is built on today’s PTS, which establishes the skill performance metrics for each flight proficiency element listed in the regulations for an airman certificate or rating. The ACS replaces the PTS when it is published. The ACS does not change or lengthen the check ride (practical test). Rather, its integrated approach will provide better guidance to applicants, instructors, and evaluators during each phase of the airman certification process. The ACS also enables the FAA to keep airman testing fully aligned with regulations, performance standards for knowledge and skill, and guidance materials such as handbooks. Additionally, the FAA is working with industry to refine ACS and its implementation plan. The rollout date for releasing the initial ACSs for Private Pilot -A irplane (PAR) and Instrument Rating Airplane (IRA) was June 15, 2016.

To ensure that the implementation of the ACS is successful, stakeholders need to understand how to utilize the ACS for training and testing. Flight instructors play a leading role in this regard. For this reason, FIRC providers also need to support the introduction of ACS by providing ACS training to their attendees. Therefore, FIRC providers should develop a comprehensive lesson that facilitates the understanding, implementation, and utilization of ACS. You can find more information concerning ACS at https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/.

A.13 Flight Instructors: Accepting a Remote Pilot or Student Pilot Certificate Application. Flight instructors need to understand that significant changes in the process of applying for and issuing student pilot certificates took effect on April 1, 2016, in conjunction with a new rule adopted by the FAA. Since April 1, 2016, Aviation Medical Examiners (AME) are no longer able to issue student pilot certificates. The FAA has

A ppendix A A-14 r eleased a final rule that requires student pilots to apply for a plastic student pilot certificate from a FSDO, Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE), Airman Certification Representative (ACR), or a flight instructor. Under the authority of the FAA, the 14 CFR part 107 rules were enacted on August 29, 2016. Now, an aviation safety inspector (ASI), DPE, ACR, or a flight instructor accepts remote pilot applications. AC 61-65, Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors, reflects these changes. This lesson provides flight instructors training for their review and acceptance of an application for a Student Pilot Certificate or an application for a Remote Pilot Certificate. This lesson should provide training for the submission of both the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) and the paper applications. This lesson should also provide training to flight instructors regarding their responsibility to evaluate the applicant’s eligibility for meeting FAA AELS. FIRC providers should develop a comprehensive lesson to facilitate the flight instructor’s full understanding and implementation of their new responsibilities regarding this topic.

• You can find more information concerning part 107 pilot certification at https://www.faa.gov/uas/getting_started/part_107/remote_pilot_cert/.

• You can find more information concerning student pilot certification at https://www.faa.gov/pilots/become/student_cert/.

A ppendix B B-1 AP PENDIX B. REFERENCES AND JOB AIDS B.1 FAA Advisory Circulars (AC) (current editions): https://www.faa.gov/regulations_pol icies/advisory_circulars/.

• AC 60 -28, FAA English Language Standard for an FAA Certificate Issued Under 14 CFR Parts 61, 63, 65, and 107.

• AC 61 -65, Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors.

• AC 61 -89, Pilot Certificates: Aircraft Type Ratings.

• AC 61 -91, WINGS—Pilot Proficiency Program.

• AC 90 -109, Transition to Unfamiliar Aircraft, provides additional information and guidance pertaining to transition to experimental or unfamiliar airplanes.

• AC 107 -2, Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS).

B.2 FAA Handbooks and Manuals (current editions): https://www.faa.gov/regulations_po licies/handbooks_manuals/.

• FAA-H-8083 -3, Airplane Flying Handbook.

• FAA-H-8083 -9, Aviation Instructor’s Handbook.

• Other handbooks and manuals, as applicable.

B.3 FAA Web Resources:

• Airman Certification Standards (ACS) (all current editions):

https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/acs/.

• Best Practices for Mentoring in Flight Instruction: https://www.faa.gov/training_testi ng/training/media/mentoring_best_practices.pdf.

• Beyond the Buttons: Mastering Our Marvelous Flying Machines:

https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/library/documents/2007/Mar/15239/7.1%20TA A%20Flying%20Skills%20MarApr07.pdf.

• Conducting an Effective Flight Review (current edition):

https://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/media/flight_review.pdf.

• FAA/Industry Training Standards Personal and Weather Risk Assessment Guide: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/training/fits/guidance/media/Pers%20W x%20Risk%20Assessment%20Guide-V 1.0.pdf.

• Flight Instructor Training Modules: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/training/fits/ training/flight_instructor.

• General Aviation Pilot’s Guide to Preflight Weather Planning, Weather Self-B riefings, and Weather Decision Making (current edition):

https://www.faasafety.gov/files/gslac/courses/content/25/185/GA%20Weather%20De cision-M aking%20Dec05.pdf .

A ppendix B B-2

• I nstrument Proficiency Check (IPC) Guidance (current edition):

https://www.faa.gov/pilots/training/media/IPC_Guidance.pdf.

• Night Flying Safety, FAA Aviation News: https://www.faa.gov/news/safety_briefing/ 2008/media/novdec2008.pdf.

• Online Resources for Certificated Flight Instructors, FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam):

https://www.faasafety.gov.

• Personal Minimums Checklist: https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/training/fits/guid ance/media/personal%20minimums%20checklist.pdf.

• Practical Test Standards (PTS) (all current editions) (e.g., FA A-S-8081-4, Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards for Airplane, Helicopter, and Powered Lift):

https://www.faa.gov/training_testing/testing/test_standards/.

• Risk Management Teaching Tips: https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/libview_nor mal.aspx?id=6107.

B.4 Other Resources:

• Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA): http://www.aopa.org/.

• AOPA Tools for Certificated Flight Instructors: https://www.aopa.org/training-an dsafety/cfis.

• Aviation Digital Data Service (ADDS): https://www.aviationweather.gov/adds/.

• Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA): https://www.eaa.org/.

• Flight Service (Lockheed Martin): https://www.1800wxbrief.com/.

• General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA): https://gama.aero/.

• National Association of Flight Instructors (NAFI): https://www.nafinet.org/.

• Society of Aviation and Flight Educators (SAFE): https://www.safepilots.org/.

Appe ndix B B-3 Ta ble B-1. Minimum Hour Assurance Plan Matrix [Required to be included in an online training course outline (TCO)] Example: 16-Hour Course Content

ASSURANCE PLAN MATRIX

CORE TOPICS Lesson Presentation Actual Time (LMS1) Pretest Allotted Time (optional2) Lesson Support Graph/Data Allotted Time3 Allotted Break Time4 End of Lesson and/or Final Exam Allotted Time5 Hours Minutes Minutes Minutes Minutes Navigating the 21st Century: Aircraft Automation

1.0 0 0 Attendee Discretion 4 Security-Related SUA 1.0 0 0 “ 4 TSA 1.0 0 0 “ 4 Culture of Safety 1.0 0 0 “ 4 Safety Trends in GA 1.0 0 .4 “ 5 Pilot Deviations .75 0 0 “ 4 FAASTeam .75 0 .3 “ 4 Regulations .75 0 0 “ 4 Flight Review & IPC .75 0 .3 “ 5 Ethics & Professionalism .75 0 0 “ 4 Loss of Control (LOC) .75 0 0 “ 4 Airman Certification Standards (ACS) .75 0 0 “ 4 Accepting a Remote Pilot or Student Pilot Certificate Application .75 0 0 “ 4 ELECTIVE TOPICS6 Who is GAJSC .5 0 0 “ 3 Teaching ADM .5 0 0 “ 3 Total Time (in Hours) Actual Hours (LMS):

12 Allotted Hours:

0 Allotted Hours:

1.0 Allotted Hours:

2.0 Allotted Hours:

1.0 1 The provider’s learning management system (LMS) is required to ensure that each attendee actively engages each lesson in its entirety.

2 A pretest is a learning tool that may count as part of a lesson, but should not constitute an excessive amount of the lesson time.

3 This column is optional, as graphs/additional data may be included without a specified time for attendees to review.

4 Credited break time may not exceed 2 hours of the 16-hour course content.

5 Total testing time may not exceed 1 hour of the 16-hour course content minimum requirement (see paragraph 11.1

0.6).

6 Elective topics are encouraged, not required.

A ppendix B B-4 F igure B-1. Sample Training Course Outline Cover Page ORVILLE & WILBUR’S FIRC SCHOOL Airplane Flight Instructor Refresher Course Training Course Outline (Live Classroom) Conducted By:

Orville & Wilbur’s FIRC School 1234 Airport Road Baltimore, MD 12345 Phone: (123) 456-7890 Fax: (123) 456-7891 Point of Contact:

John Smith, Chief Instructor Phone: (123) 567-8901 Email: jsmith@yourfircschools.com

A ppendix B B-5 F igure B-2. Sample Lesson Plan: Safety Trends in GA Safety Trends in GA:

How Flight Instructors Can Directly Contribute to Aviation Safety Lesson presentation time: 45 minutes

LESSON OBJECTIVE At the completion of this lesson, the attendee will (desired learning outcome):

• Be familiar with the latest General Aviation (GA) safety information & trends;

• Understand methods to mentor students in a way to build a GA culture of safety;

• Be able to teach more effectively by learning new instructional methods to teach risk management (RM) principles that respond to current aviation safety trends in GA; and

• Know how to teach risk recognition, common pilot errors, and RM principles that will reduce GA accidents.

SUBJECT MATTER ELEMENTS (examples)

• Latest aviation safety info: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), and Joseph T. Nall Report (include edition and/or dates of publication);

• All major trends including loss of control (LOC);

• No n-f atalities and fatalities trends by year;

• A nalysis of trends and causes; and

• Takeaway from General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC), NTSB findings, a nd recommendations.

EQUIPMENT (optional)

• PowerPoint.

• Handouts.

• Whiteboard.

COMPLETION STANDARDS Attendees will complete this lesson when:

• The lesson content is presented to, and is completed by, the attendee in its entirety;

• The attendee understands the lesson content and its application; and

• The attendee receives a score of no less than 70% on each of his or her exams.

TESTING PROCEDURE End of first day and second day final exams: essay and multiple choice closed book.

A ppendix B B-6 F igure B-3. Sample Lesson Plan: How to Make Use of the FAA Safety Team How to Make Use of the FAA Safety Team Lesson presentation time: 45 minutes

LESSON OBJECTIVE At the completion of this lesson, the attendee will:

• Be familiar with the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) mission, composition and philosophy;

• Understand how to register for an account on the FAASTeam website, https://www.faasafety.gov/;

• Understand how to access FAASTeam resources for General Aviation (GA) pilots and flight instructors;

• Be able to describe the Pilot Proficiency Program (WINGS), how to register for a WINGS account, and how to validate WINGS training for pilots; and

• B e able to request WINGS credit for flight instructor refresher course (FIRC) completion (Activity number A080530 -0

1).

SUBJECT MATTER ELEMENTS

• FAASTeam composition:

• FAASTeam Program Managers (FPM).

• FAASTeam Representatives (REP).

• FAASTeam Members and FAASTeam Industry Members (FIM).

• FAASTeam Resources for Flight Instructors:

• FPMs and REPs.

• How to contact.

• FAASafety.gov:

• Account registration.

• Notification preferences.

• Resources:

• Notices.

• Safety Program Airman Notification System (SPANS).

• Activities and courses.

• Flight Risk Assessment Tools.

• WINGS:

• Program description and philosophy.

• Getting started with WINGS.

• FAASTeam seminars and webinars.

• FAASTeam Flight Instructor Forum.

• The FAASTeam and FAA’s Remedial Training Program:

• FAA Compliance Philosophy.

• Contact your FPM if you are interested in conducting remedial training.

EQUIPMENT (optional)

• PowerPoint.

• Handouts.

• Whiteboard.

COMPLETION STANDARDS Attendees will complete this lesson when:

• The lesson content is presented to, and is completed by, the attendee in its entirety;

• The attendee understands the lesson content and its application; and

• The attendee receives a score of no less than 70% on each of his or her exams.

TESTING PROCEDURE TBD by FIRC provider.

Advisory Circular Feedback Form If you find an error in this AC, have recommendations for improving it, or have suggestions for new items/subjects to be added, you may let us know by contacting the General Aviation and Commercial Division (AFS-800) at 9-AFS-800-Correspondence@faa.gov or the Flight Standards Directives Management Officer at 9-AWA-AFS-140-Directives@faa.gov.

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