Par 3-2 Page 9 some cases, the CFI may wish to recommend that the pilot accomplishes a complete refresher program.
d. Agreement on the Conduct of the Review. After completing the above analysis, the CFI should review these considerations with the pilot and reach an understanding regarding how he or she will conduct the review. The CFI may wish to provide the pilot with reading materials or recommend publications for study before actually undertaking the flight review. The CFI should also review the criteria for satisfactory completion of the review with the pilot.
e. Instructor Qualifications. Instructors should also consider their own experience and qualifications in a given make and model aircraft prior to giving a review in that model. The CFI conducting a flight review must hold a category, class, and (if appropriate) type rating on his or her pilot certificate. Also, the instructor must have a category and class rating on his or her flight instructor certificate or a sport instructor privilege in his or her logbook appropriate to the aircraft in which he or she conducts the review. To conduct a flight review in a multiengine airplane, the instructor must hold an airplane multiengine rating on their pilot and flight instructor certificates. For aircraft in which the CFI is not current or with which he or she is not familiar, he or she must obtain recent flight experience or sufficient knowledge of aircraft limitations, characteristics, and performance before conducting the review. In any case, the CFI must observe the rating limitations of § 61.195(b).
3-3. PLANNING AND RECORDING THE REVIEW. The CFI may wish to use FAA’s online guidance available at www.faa.gov (see “Conducting an Effective Flight Review”) to prepare, conduct, and document the flight review. Some of the material from this optional guide appears in the appendices. After reaching an agreement on how the CFI will conduct the review, he or she should prepare a plan for completing the review. The plan should include a list of regulatory subjects that the CFI will cover, the maneuvers and procedures that the pilot will need to accomplish, the anticipated sequence in which the segments will occur, and the location where the CFI will perform the review. You can find a suggested plan format in Appendix 1. Although not required by § 61.189, the CFI may wish to retain this plan for an appropriate time period as a record of the scope and content of the review.
a. Review of Part 91 Operating and Flight Rules. The CFI should tailor the review of general operating and flight rules to the needs of the pilot under review. The objective is to ensure that the pilot can comply with all regulatory requirements and operate safely in various types of airspace under an appropriate range of weather conditions. As a result, the CFI should conduct a review that is broad enough to meet this objective, yet provide a more comprehensive review in those areas in which the pilot’s knowledge is weaker. In the latter instance, the CFI may wish to employ a variety of references/sources, such as the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM), to ensure that the pilot’s knowledge meets current standards.
b. Pilot Deviations (PD). The occurrence of incidents and PDs has emphasized the need to ensure that all pilots receive adequate briefing on PD avoidance awareness. PDs are broadly categorized as airborne or ground. Airborne PDs include altitude and heading deviations, and airspace violations. Ground PDs include runway incursions and any other unauthorized operation in the movement areas of an airport. Pilots should be familiar with all types of airspace, and
Page 10 Par 3-3 ground operating procedures, and best practices to avoid potential PDs. The flight review may be the only regular proficiency and recurrency training experienced by some pilots. Therefore, CFIs should place appropriate emphasis on this part of the review.
c. Review of Maneuvers and Procedures.
(1) The maneuvers and procedures covered during the review are those which, in the opinion of the CFI conducting the review, are necessary for the pilot to perform in order to demonstrate that he or she can safely exercise the privileges of his or her pilot certificate.
Accordingly, the CFI should evaluate the pilot’s skills and knowledge to the extent necessary to ensure that he or she can safely operate within regulatory requirements throughout a wide range of conditions. The CFI should always include abnormal and emergency procedures applicable to the aircraft flown in the flight review.
(2) The CFI may wish to prepare a preliminary plan for the flight review based on an interview or other assessment of the pilot’s qualifications and skills. See Appendix 1 for suggested interview questions. Appendix 5 provides a sample CFI flight review checklist. The CFI should outline a sequence of maneuvers to the pilot taking the review. For example, this may include a cross-country flight to another airport with maneuvers accomplished while en route. It could also include a period of simulated instrument flight time. The CFI should request that the pilot conduct whatever preflight preparation is necessary to complete the planned flight. This preparation should include all items required in part 91, § 91.103, such as checking weather, calculating required runway lengths, calculating Weight and Balance (W&B), completing a flight log, filing a flight plan, and conducting the preflight inspection.
(3) Before beginning the flight portion of the review, the CFI should discuss various operational areas with the pilot. This oral review should include, but not be limited to, areas such as aircraft systems, speeds, performance, meteorological and other hazards (e.g., windshear and wake turbulence), operations in controlled airspace, and abnormal and emergency procedures.
The emphasis during this discussion should be on practical knowledge of recommended procedures and regulatory requirements.
(4) Regardless of the pilot’s experience, the CFI may wish to review at least those maneuvers considered critical to safe flight, such as stalls, slow flight, and takeoffs and landings.
Based on his or her in-flight assessment of the pilot’s skills, the CFI may wish to add other maneuvers from the PTS appropriate to the pilot’s grade of certificate. All reviews should include those areas within the PTS identified as “Special Emphasis.” Appendix 5 includes a list of suggested maneuvers. The FAA does not intend this list to be all-inclusive, nor does it limit a CFI’s discretion in selecting other appropriate maneuvers and procedures. To the greatest possible extent, the CFI should organize and sequence the selected maneuvers in a realistic scenario appropriate to the kind of flying normally done by the pilot.
(5) The role of the CFI during the review is to provide an evaluation. However, the instructor is not limited to this role and may provide specific instruction to an airman on any areas the instructor notes as being weak. This additional instruction does not preclude the pilot’s successful completion of the review as long as the deficiencies are corrected. If the additional instruction does not correct the deficiencies, and/or it becomes apparent to the instructor that
Par 3-4 Page 11 (and 12) additional flights will be necessary, the CFI should discuss the situation with the pilot and proceed accordingly.
3-4. POST-REVIEW CONSIDERATIONS. Upon completion of the review, the CFI should complete the summary and evaluation portion of the flight review checklist (if used) and debrief the pilot. Whether or not the review was satisfactory, the CFI should provide the pilot with a comprehensive analysis of his or her performance, including suggestions for improving any weak areas. The current edition of FAA-H-8083-9, Aviation Instructor’s Handbook, chapter 5, provides specific suggestions for conducting the postflight evaluation discussion as a “collaborative critique.”
a. Unsatisfactory Completion of the Review. The FAA does not intend the flight review to be a check ride. If the review is not satisfactory, the CFI should log the flight as “dual instruction given” and not as a “failure.” The CFI should then recommend additional training in the areas of the review that were unsatisfactory. A pilot who does not receive an endorsement for a satisfactory flight review may continue to exercise the privileges of his or her certificate, provided that a period of 24 calendar-months has not elapsed since the pilot’s last successful flight review or pilot proficiency check.
b. Satisfactory Completion of the Review. When the applicant has successfully completed the review, the CFI should endorse the pilot’s logbook to certify that the pilot has satisfactorily accomplished the flight review. The CFI should make the endorsement for a satisfactory review in accordance with AC 61-65. The flight and ground time must also be logged in the pilot’s logbook in accordance with § 61.51(a)(1).
Par 4-1 Page 13 CHAPTER 4. INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY CHECK
4-1. STRUCTURING AN INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY CHECK (IPC).
Section 61.57(d) outlines the conditions which require an IPC. This chapter provides guidance on the conduct of the IPC. In addition, the CFI may wish to use the FAA’s optional online guidance document available at www.faa.gov (see “Instrument Proficiency Check Guidance”), to structure, conduct, and document the IPC. The appendices contain some of the material from the optional IPC guidance document.
a. Instructor Requirements to Conduct an IPC. The CFI should possess an instrument rating on their flight instructor certificate. The CFI should also possess an instrument rating and meet currency requirements on their pilot certificate. The basis for these are found in §§ 61.193(g) and 61.195(d) (6). For example, a comprehensive IPC in a multiengine airplane includes demonstration of engine-out procedures, which requires a CFI who holds both multiengine and instrument ratings on his or her pilot certificate.
NOTE: In addition to having the appropriate instructor ratings, the CFI should consider other factors relating to his or her ability to conduct an IPC.
These include the factors discussed for the flight review as well as the instructor’s own instrument currency.
b. Conducting an IPC. A CFI may conduct part or all of the IPC in an approved ground trainer or level-3-or-below FTD that meets the requirements of § 61.4. If given in an aircraft training device, that trainer must receive specific approval for such use, in writing, by the FAA Administrator. Pilots or CFIs contemplating use of such a device for an IPC should contact their local FSDO. Guidance on the applicability of specific devices to particular tasks is located in the current edition of FAA-S-8081-4, Instrument Rating Practical Test Standards, appendix 2, and the specific device approval document.
NOTE: In order to receive flight training credit in FTDs qualified by the NSPM at levels 4 or above, or full flight simulators, such devices must be used pursuant to a curriculum approved under part 121, 135, or 142.
c. Precheck Considerations. The CFI should structure an IPC in a manner similar to that of the flight review, tailoring the check to the needs of the pilot with mutual agreement on the scope of the check and a plan of action for accomplishing it.
(1) The CFI and pilot should discuss the operating conditions under which the CFI will conduct the check. If the CFI conducts the check in an airplane, the check may be under visual flight rules (VFR) or IFR in simulated instrument conditions, or it may be under IFR in actual instrument conditions. If the CFI conducts the check under IFR, whether conditions are simulated or actual, the CFI should ensure that the aircraft meets all part 91 requirements for operating under IFR. Additionally, if the pilot receiving the check is no longer current under IFR, the CFI should be aware that he or she must act as PIC during the flight and must meet IFR currency requirements. In general, the FAA prefers an instrument proficiency check given under VFR conditions. Conducting the review under VFR will effectively allow the instructor to add variety to the check and to simulate possible emergency conditions. However, if the CFI
Page 14 Par 4-1 conducts the check under VFR conditions, it is the CFI’s responsibility to constantly remain vigilant to other aircraft throughout all phases of the flight.
(2) The Pilot’s Instrument Experience Summary in Appendix 6 is available to help the CFI structure an appropriate ground review for the IPC. A table in FAA-S-8081-4 lists the maneuvers required for successful completion of the IPC.
(3) As with the flight review, the CFI should develop a plan of action that uses realistic scenarios to organize and sequence the required tasks and maneuvers. Appendix 8 contains a sample plan for conducting the proficiency check. The CFI should also discuss crewmember roles and responsibilities with the pilot.
4-2. IPC-KNOWLEDGE PORTION.
a. Determining the Pilot’s Knowledge. The CFI should determine that the pilot has adequate knowledge and understanding of part 91, especially subpart B, Flight Rules; subpart C, Equipment, Instrument, and Certificate Requirements; and subpart E, Maintenance, Preventive Maintenance, and Alterations. Additionally, the CFI should determine that the pilot has adequate knowledge and understanding of the following areas:
(1) Instrument en route and approach chart interpretation, including Standard Instrument Departures (SID), Obstacle Departure Procedures (ODP), Standard Terminal Arrival Routes (STAR), and Area Navigation (RNAV)/Global Positioning System (GPS)/wide area augmentation system (WAAS) procedures.
(2) Obtaining and analyzing weather information, including knowledge of hazardous weather phenomena such as icing and convective activity.
(3) Preflight planning, including aircraft performance, Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) information (including temporary flight restrictions (TFR)), fuel requirements, alternate requirements, and use of appropriate FAA publications such as the Airport/Facility Directory.
(4) Aircraft systems related to IFR operations, including appropriate operating methods, limitations, and emergency procedures due to equipment failure.
(5) Aircraft flight instruments and navigation equipment, including characteristics, limitations, operating techniques and emergency procedures due to malfunction or failure, such as lost communications procedures.
(6) Determining the airworthiness of the aircraft for instrument flight, including required inspections and documents.
(7) Air traffic control (ATC) procedures pertinent to flight under IFR with emphasis on elements of ATC clearances and pilot/controller responsibilities.
b. Evaluation of the Pilot’s Skills. Following the discussion of the above subjects, the CFI should ask the pilot to prepare for the skill portion of the IPC by completing the necessary flight planning, obtaining current weather data, filing a flight plan, and conducting the preflight
Par 4-2 Page 15 (and 16) inspection. In order to fully evaluate the pilot’s skills under normal operating conditions, the CFI may wish to have the pilot conduct a short IFR cross-country flight with at least part of the flight conducted “in the system” under IFR.
4-3. IPC-SKILL PORTION. The maneuvers and procedures selected for the IPC must include those listed in Rating Task Table in FAA-S-8081-4. The CFI conducting the IPC has the discretion to require any other maneuver(s) necessary to determine that the pilot can safely operate under IFR in a broad range of conditions appropriate to the aircraft flown and the ATC environment selected. However, in any case, the CFI should pay particular attention to those areas within the PTS identified as “Special Emphasis.” The CFI should emphasize proper adherence to ATC clearances. Regardless of the maneuvers and procedures selected, the CFI should ensure that the pilot demonstrates satisfactory basic attitude instrument flying skills. For checks conducted in an airplane but not under actual instrument weather conditions, the CFI should employ an appropriate view-limiting device to simulate instrument conditions. As an aid to the CFI, Appendix 8 contains a sample CFI IPC checklist for conducting the IPC.
4-4. POST-IPC CONSIDERATIONS AND RECORDKEEPING. Upon completion of the proficiency check, the CFI may wish to complete the summary and evaluation portion of the checklist (if used) and debrief the pilot on the results of the check (satisfactory or unsatisfactory).
Regardless of the determination, the CFI should provide the pilot with a comprehensive analysis of his or her performance, including suggestions for improving any weak areas. Chapter 5 of FAA-H-8083-9 provides specific suggestions for conducting the postflight evaluation discussion as a “collaborative critique.”
a. Unsatisfactory Performance. As with the flight review, the CFI should not endorse the pilot’s logbook to reflect an unsatisfactory IPC. Rather, the CFI should log the session as “dual instruction given.”
b. Satisfactory Performance. The endorsement for a satisfactory proficiency check should be in accordance with AC 61-65. If the CFI uses the sample plan and checklist in Appendix 8, then he or she may wish to retain the plan as a record of the scope and content of the competency check, even though not required by § 61.189.
Appendix 1 Page 1 (and 2) APPENDIX 1. SAMPLE CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR’S FLIGHT
REVIEW CHECKLIST Step 1: Preflight Review Actions Scheduling Pilot’s aeronautical history 14 CFR part 91 review assignment Cross-country flight plan assignment Step 2: Ground Discussion Regulatory review Cross-country flight plan review Risk management (RM) and personal minimums Step 3: Conducting the Flight Physical aircraft (basic skills) Mental aircraft (systems knowledge) Aeronautical decisionmaking Step 4: Postflight Discussion Replay, reflect, reconstruct, redirect Questions Step 5: Aeronautical Health Maintenance and Improvement Plan Personal minimums checklist Personal proficiency practice plan Training plan (if desired) Resources list Sample Pilot’s Aeronautical History for Flight Review Pilot: ___________________________________________ Certificated flight instructor (CFI):____________________ Address: ________________________________________ Phone(s): ________________________________________ e-mail: __________________________________________ Pilot Certificate(s):
Private_________Commercial _______________________ Air transport pilot (ATP) ___________________________ Flight Instructor __________________________________ Ratings (not necessarily inclusive):
Instrument___Airplane Single-Engine Land (ASEL)____Multiengine Land (MEL)_____ Lighter-than-air (LTA)_____ Rotorcraft ___(etc.)
Experience (pilot):
Total time_______Last 6 months _________ Average hours/month __________________ Time Since last flight review ____________ Since last instrument proficiency check (IPC) _______________________________ Experience (aircraft):
Aircraft type(s) you fly _________________ Aircraft used most often ________________ Total time _________Last 6 months______ Average hours/month __________________ Experience (flight environment):
Since your last flight review, approximately how many hours have you logged in:
Day visual flight rules (VFR) ____________ ____________________________________ Day instrument flight rules (IFR) _________ ____________________________________ Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) ____________________________________ Night VFR_________Night IFR _________ Mountainous/Overwater ________________ Towered________Non-Towered _________ Type of Flying (external factors):
What percentage of your flying is for:
Pleasure_____Business______Local______ Cross country ______ Personal Skills Assessment:
Strengths as a pilot? ___________________ ____________________________________ Areas for improvement? ________________ ____________________________________ Aviation goals? _______________________ ____________________________________
Appendix 2 APPENDIX 2. REGULATORY REVIEW GUIDE Pilot Experience. Recent flight experience (14 CFR part 61, § 61.57).
Responsibility:
• Authority (14 CFR part 91 § 91.3).
• Flightcrew members at station (§ 91.105).
• Preflight action (§ 91.103).
• Safety belts (§ 91.107).
• Air traffic control (ATC) instructions (§ 91.123).
Cautions:
• Careless or reckless operation (§ 91.13).
• Dropping objects (§ 91.15).
• Alcohol or drugs (§ 91.17).
• Supplemental oxygen (§ 91.211).
• Fitness for flight (Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) (chapter 8, section 1)).
Aircraft Airworthiness:
• Basic (§ 91.7).
• Flight manual, markings, and placards (§ 91.9).
• Certifications required (§ 91.203).
• Instrument and equipment requirements (§ 91.205).
• Emergency locator transmitter (ELT) (§ 91.207).
• Position lights (§ 91.209).
• Inoperative instruments and equipment (§ 91.213).
• Transponder requirements (§ 91.215).
Maintenance:
• Responsibility (§ 91.403).
• Maintenance required (§ 91.405).
• Operation after maintenance (§ 91.407).
• Maintenance records (§ 91.417).
Inspections:
• Annual, Airworthiness Directives (AD), 100 hours (§ 91.409).
• Altimeter and pitot static system (§ 91.411).
• Very high frequency Omnidirectional Range (VOR) check (§ 91.171).
• Transponder (§ 91.413).
Appendix 2
• ELT (§ 91.207).
Environment Airports:
• Markings (AIM (chapter 2, section 3)).
• Operations (AIM (chapter 4, section 3); §§ 91.125 and 91.126).
• Traffic Patterns (§ 91.126).
Airspace:
• Altimeter Settings (AIM (chapter 7, section 2); § 91.121).
• Minimum Safe Altitudes (§§ 91.119 and 91.177).
• Cruising Altitudes (AIM (chapter 3, section 1, paragraph 3-1-5);
§§ 91.159 and 91.179).
• Speed Limits (§ 91.117).
• Right of Way (§ 91.113).
• Formation (§ 91.111).
• Types of Airspace (AIM (chapter 3)).
• Controlled Airspace (AIM (chapter 3, section 2); §§ 91.129, 91.130,
91.131, and 91.135).
• Class G Airspace (AIM (chapter 3, section 3).
• Special Use (AIM (chapter 3, section 4); §§ 91.133, 91.137, 91.141.
91.143, and 91.145).
• Emergency Air Traffic Rules (AIM (chapter 5, section 6); § 91.139).
Air Traffic Control & Procedures:
• Services (AIM (chapter 4, section 1)).
• Radio Communications (AIM (chapter 4, section 2); Pilot/Controller Glossary).
• Clearances (AIM (chapter 4, section 4)).
• Procedures (AIM (chapter 5)).
Weather:
• Meteorology (AIM (chapter 7, section 1)).
• Wake Turbulence (AIM (chapter 7, section 3)).
External Pressures Personal Minimums Checklist.
Risk management (RM) (3-P model).
Practical test standards (PTS) Special Emphasis Items.