AC 61-98C

Historical

Advisory circular · Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check

A newer version is currentThis is a historical version. AC 61-98E is the version in force, approved October 30, 2024.
Approved
November 20, 2015
Last reviewed
July 1, 2024
Cancels
AC61-98B
Cancelled by
AC61-98D
Family
AC 61-98 · 6 versions
Revision
C
14 CFR parts
61

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

Show pages 20–31
Page 32 · 1Open in PDF

Appendix 6

APPENDIX 6. SAMPLE FLIGHT REVIEW CHECKLIST SIDE 1 References Selected portions of 14 CFR § 61.56

(a) A flight review consists of a minimum of 1 hour of flight training and 1 hour of ground training. The review must include:

(1) A review of the current general operating and flight rules of part 91 of this chapter; and

(2) A review of those maneuvers and procedures that, at the discretion of the person giving the review, are necessary for the pilot to demonstrate the safe exercise of the privileges of the pilot certificate.

(c) Except as provided in paragraphs (d), (e), and (g) of this section, no person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft unless, since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month in which that pilot acts as pilot in command, that person has—

(1) Accomplished a flight review given in an aircraft for which that pilot is rated by an authorized instructor and

(2) A logbook endorsed from an authorized instructor who gave the review certifying that the person has satisfactorily completed the review.

(d) A person who has, within the period specified in paragraph (c) of this section, passed any of the following need not accomplish the flight review required by this section:

(1) A pilot proficiency check or practical test conducted by an examiner, an approved pilot check airman, or a U.S. Armed Force, for a pilot certificate, rating, or operating privilege.

(2) A practical test conducted by an examiner for the issuance of a flight instructor certificate, an additional rating on a flight instructor certificate, renewal of a flight instructor certificate, or reinstatement of a flight instructor certificate.

(e) A person who has, within the period specified in paragraph (c) of this section, satisfactorily accomplished one or more phases of an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency award program need not accomplish the flight review required by this section.

AC 61-65E Completion of a Flight Review: §§ 61.56(a) and 61.56(c).

I certify that (First name, MI, Last name), (pilot certificate), (certificate number), has satisfactorily completed a flight review of § 61.56(a) on (date).

/s/ [date] J. J. Jones 987654321CFI Exp. 12-31-05 NOTE: No logbook entry reflecting unsatisfactory performance on a flight review is required.

Flight Review Checklist Step 1: Preparation  Pilot's Aeronautical History  Part 91 Review Assignment  Cross-Country Flight Plan Assignment Step 2: Ground Review  English Language Proficiency (ELP)  Regulatory Review  Cross-Country Flight Plan Review  Weather & Weather Decision-Making  Risk Management & Personal Minimums  GA Security Issues Step 3: Flight Activities  Physical Airplane (basic skills)  Mental Airplane Automaton and A/C (systems knowledge)  Takeoffs and Stabilized Approaches to Landings  Slow Flight  Stalls and Recovery/Spin Recognition/Avoidance  Recovery from Unusual Attitudes  Simulated Loss of Power/Engine  Operating the Aircraft by Sole Reference to Instruments Under Actual or Simulated Conditions  Aeronautical Decision-Making  Automation System  Automation System Failures Step 4: Postflight Discussion  Replay, Reflect, Reconstruction, Redirect  Questions Step 5: Aeronautical Health Maintenance & Improvement Plan  Personal Minimums Checklist  Personal Proficiency Practice Plan  Training Plan (if desired) For aviation safety information and online resources, visit www.faasafety.gov.

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Appendix 6

SIDE 2 Ground Review PILOT:

 Experience:

 Recent Flight Experience (61.57)  Responsibility:

 Authority (91.3)  ATC Instructions (91.123)  Preflight Action (91.103)  Safety Belts (91.107)  Flight Crew at Station (91.105)  Cautions:

 Careless or Reckless Operation (91.13)  Dropping Objects (91.15)  Alcohol or Drugs (91.17)  Supplemental Oxygen (91.211)  Fitness for Flight (AIM Chapter 8, Section 1) AIRCRAFT:

 Airworthiness:

 Basic (91.7)  Flight Manual, Markings, Placards (91.9)  Certification Required (91.203)  Instrument & Equipment Requirements (91.205)  ELT (91.207)  Position Lights (91.209)  Transponder Requirements (91.215)  Inoperative Instruments and Equipment (91.213)  Maintenance:

 Responsibility (91.403)  Maintenance Required (91.405)  Maintenance Records (91.417)  Operation After Maintenance (91.407)  Inspections:

 Annual, Airworthiness Directives, 100-Hour (91.409)  Altimeter & Pitot Static System (91.411)  VOR Check (91.171)  Transponder (91.413)  ELT (91.207) ENVIRONMENT:

 Airports:

 Markings (AIM Chapter 2, Section 3)  Operations (AIM 4-3; 91.126, 91.125)  Traffic Patterns (91.126)  Airspace:

 Altimeter Settings (91.121; AIM 7-2)  Minimum Safe Altitudes (91.119, 91.177)  Cruising Altitudes (91.159, 91.179; AIM 3-1-5)  Speed Limits (91.117)  Right of Way (91.113)  Formation (91.111)  Types of Airspace (AIM 3)  Controlled Airspace (AIM 3-2; 91.135, 91.131, 91.130,

91.129)  Class G Airspace (AIM 3-3)  Special Use (AIM 3-4; 91.133, 91.137, 91.141, 91.143,

91.145)  Emergency Air Traffic Rules (91.139; AIM 5-6)  Air Traffic Control & Procedures:

 Services (AIM 4-1)  Radio Communications (AIM 4-2 & Pilot Controller Glossary)  Clearances (AIM 4-4)  Procedures (AIM 5)  Weather:

 Meteorology (AIM 7-1)  Wake Turbulence (AIM 7-3) EXTERNAL PRESSURE:

 Personal Minimums Checklist  Risk Management (3-P Model)  PTS Special Emphasis Items Suggested Flight Activities Note: Structure the flight portion as an out-and-back VFR XC, with one leg focused on XC procedures (including diversion and lost procedures) and the other leg focused on airwork (“physical airplane” skills). Suggested activities include:

AREA OF OPERATION (from Private Pilot PTS)  Preflight preparation  Weather Information  Cross-Country Flight Planning  Performance and Limitations  Operation of Systems  Preflight Procedures  Preflight Inspections  Cockpit Management  Before Takeoff Check  Airport Operations  Radio Communications  Airport, Runway, Taxiway Signs, Markings, and Lighting  Takeoffs, Landings, and Go-Arounds  Normal and Crosswind Takeoff/Climb  Normal and Crosswind Approach/Landing  Soft-Field Takeoff and Climb  Soft-Field Approach and Landing  Short-Field Takeoff  Short-Field Approach  Go-Around Rejected Landing  Performance Maneuver  Steep Turns  Navigation  Pilotage and Dead Reckoning  Navigation Systems and Radar Services  Diversion  Lost Procedures  Slow Flight and Stalls  Maneuvering During Slow Flight  Power-off Stalls  Power-on Stalls  Spin Awareness  Basic Instrument Maneuvers  Straight and Level Flight  Turns to Headings  Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes  Radio Communications/Nav Systems  Emergency Operations  Emergency Approach and Landing  Systems and Equipment Malfunctions  Automation Failure: Failure of Autopilot and Avionics  Postflight Procedures  After Landing, Parking, Securing

Appendix 7

Page 1 (and 2)

APPENDIX 7. SAMPLE PILOT’S INSTRUMENT EXPERIENCE SUMMARY Pilot’s Name: CFI:

Address:

Phone(s): E-mail:

Type of Pilot Certificate(s):

Private Commercial Airline transport pilot (ATP) Flight instructor Rating(s):

Instrument Multiengine Rotorcraft Glider Lighter-than-air (LTA) Experience (pilot):

Total time Last 6 months Average hours/month Time logged since last instrument proficiency check (IPC) Experience (aircraft):

Aircraft type(s) you fly Aircraft used most often For this aircraft: Total time Last 6 months Average hours/month Experience (flight environment): Approximately how many hours logged in:

Day visual flight rules (VFR) Day instrument flight rules (IFR) Instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) Night VFR Night IFR Approaches Approaches to minimums Approaches in last 6 months 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 8

Page 1 (and 2)

APPENDIX 8. SAMPLE INSTRUMENT TRAINING AND PROFICIENCY PLAN Pilot’s Name: CFI:

Date: Review Date:

Instrument Training Goals Certificate Level (Private, Commercial, airline transport pilot (ATP)) Ratings (Instrument, Multiengine Land (MEL), Airplane Single-Engine Sea (ASES), Airplane Multiengine Sea (AMES)) Phase in Pilot Proficiency (WINGS) Program Instructor Qualifications (certificated flight instructor (CFI), CFI–instrument (CFII), multiengine instructor, advanced ground instructor (AGI), instrument ground instructor (IGI)) Other:

Instrument Proficiency Goals Lower personal minimums to:

Ceiling Visibility Winds Precision approach minimums Non-precision approach minimums Fly instrument flight rules (IFR)/instrument meteorological conditions (IMC) at least:

Times per month Hours per month Hours per year Cross-country flights per year Night hours per month Make an IFR/IMC cross-country trip to:

Other:

Aeronautical Training Action Plan

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Appendix 9

APPENDIX 9. SAMPLE CERTIFICATED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR'S

INSTRUMENT PROFICIENCY CHECK (IPC) CHECKLIST SIDE 1 References 14 CFR § 61.57(d)—Instrument Proficiency Check.

Except as provided in paragraph (e) of this section, a person who has failed to meet the instrument experience requirements of paragraph (c) for more than six calendar months may reestablish instrument currency only by completing an instrument proficiency check. The instrument proficiency check must consist of the areas of operation and instrument tasks required in the instrument rating practical test standards.

(1) The instrument proficiency check must be–

(i) In an aircraft that is appropriate to the aircraft category;

(ii) For other than a glider, in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the aircraft category; or

(iii) For a glider, in a single-engine airplane or a glider.

(2) The instrument proficiency check must be given by—

(i) An examiner;

(ii) A person authorized by the U.S. Armed Forces to conduct instrument flight tests, provided the person being tested is a member of the U.S.

Armed Forces;

(iii) A company check pilot who is authorized to conduct instrument flight tests under part 121, 125, or 135 of this chapter or subpart K of part 91 of this chapter, and provided that both the check pilot and the pilot being tested are employees of that operator or fractional ownership program manager, as applicable;

(iv) An authorized instructor; or

(v) A person approved by the Administrator to conduct instrument practical tests.

AC 61-65E Completion of an Instrument Proficiency Check:

§ 61.57(d).

I certify that (First name, MI, Last name), (pilot certificate), (certificate number), has satisfactorily completed the instrument proficiency check of § 61.57(d) in a (list make and model of aircraft) on (date).

/s/ [date] J. J. Jones 987654321CFI Exp. 12-31-05 Note: No logbook entry reflecting unsatisfactory performance on an instrument proficiency check is required.

Checklist for Instrument Proficiency Check Step 1: Preparation  Expectations  Regulatory Review  Cross-Country Flight Plan Assignment Step 2: Ground Review  English Language Proficiency (ELP)  Preflight  Taxi, Takeoff, Departure  En Route  Arrival and Approach  Missed Approach Step 3: Flight Activities  Aircraft Control by Reverence to Flight Instruments  Systems and Procedures  Aeronautical Decision-Making  Stabilized Approaches and Landing Step 4: Postflight Discussion  Replay, Reflect, Reconstruction, Redirect  Questions Step 5: Aeronautical Health Maintenance & Improvement Plan  Personal Minimums Checklist  Personal Proficiency Practice Plan  Training Plan (if desired) For aviation safety information and online resources, visit www.faasafety.gov.

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Appendix 9

SIDE 2 Ground Review PILOT:

 Recency of Experience (61.57)  PIC Responsibilities and Authority (91.3)  Preflight Actions (91.103)  Medical Facts for Pilots (AIM 8) AIRCRAFT:

 Fuel Requirements (91.167)  Equipment Check (VOR) (91.171)  IFR Two-way Radio Communications Failure

(91.185)  Malfunction Reports (91.187)  Required Instruments and Equipment

(91.205)  ELT (91.207)  Aircraft Lights (91.209)  Inoperative Instruments and Equipment

(91.213)  Altimeter and Pitot-Static System Tests

(91.411)  ATC Transponder Tests (91.413) ENVIRONMENT:

 ATC Instructions (91.123)  IFR Flight Plan (91.169)  ATC Clearance and Flight Plan (91.173)  TO and LDG in IFR (91.175)  Minimum IFR Altitudes (91.177)  IFR Cruising Altitudes (91.179)  Course to be Flown (91.181)  IFR Two-way Communications (91.183)  Navigation Aids (AIM 1)  Air Traffic Control (AIM 4)  Air Traffic Procedures (AIM 5) EXTERNAL PRESSURES:

 IFR Two-way Radio Communications Failure

(91.185)  Emergency Procedures (AIM 6)  National Security and Interception Procedures (AIM 5-6) Suggested Flight Activities Note: Structure the flight portion as an out-and-back IFR XC, with one leg focused on XC procedures (including missed approach and diversion procedures) and the other leg focused on airwork (aircraft control). Suggested activities include:

AREA OF OPERATION  Preflight Preparation  Weather Information  Cross-Country Flight Planning  Preflight Procedures  Aircraft Systems Related to IFR Operations  Aircraft Flight Instruments and Navigation Equipment  Instrument Cockpit Check  Air Traffic Control Clearances and Procedures  Air Traffic Control Clearances  Compliance with Departure, En Route, and Arrival Procedures and Clearances  Holding Procedures  Flight by Reference to Instruments  Basic Instrument Flight Maneuvers  Recovery from Unusual Flight Attitudes  Navigation Systems  Intercepting/Tracking Navigational Systems and DME Arcs  Instrument Approach Procedures  Nonprecision Approach (NPA)  Precision Approach (PA)  Missed Approach  Circling Approach  Landing from a Straight-in or Circling Approach  Emergency Operations  Loss of Communications  One Engine Inoperative During Straight-and-Level Flight and Turns (Multiengine Airplane)  One Engine Inoperative—Instrument Approach (Multiengine Airplane)  Loss of Primary Flight Instrument Indicators  Automation Failure: Failure of Autopilot and Avionics  Postflight Procedures  Checking Instruments and Equipment

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) or the Flight Standards Directives Management Officer.

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