Section 61.56(c)(1) states that to act as a PIC, a pilot must accomplish a flight review in an aircraft for which that pilot is rated. A pilot might hold multiple ratings. In such cases, the pilot may take a flight review in any one of the aircraft for which the pilot holds a rating or operating privilege, and they will have met the regulatory requirement for all aircraft for which the pilot holds a certificate and/or rating. For example, a pilot who holds a private pilot certificate with an ASEL class rating and a commercial pilot certificate with lighter-than-air category and balloon class ratings may take a flight review in either aircraft and will have still met the flight review requirements of the rule for both aircraft. However, a pilot may not take a flight review in an aircraft for which they do not hold a rating or operating privilege. For example, that same ASEL-rated pilot may not take a flight review in a Multiengine Land (MEL) airplane if the pilot does not hold an MEL airplane class rating. A pilot who holds only a sport pilot certificate may only take a flight review in a light-sport aircraft for which the pilot holds an operational privilege. For example, a sport pilot who holds airplane privileges could not take the flight review in a Cessna 172, because that airplane is not a light-sport airplane and the pilot does not hold operating privileges for that airplane.

The reviewed maneuvers and procedures will vary depending on the category, class, and make and model (M/M) of the aircraft used. For example, a review in a light multiengine aircraft will be different from one conducted in a small, two-seat tailwheel aircraft that utilizes limited instrumentation. The flight instructor may wish to recommend that the pilot complete the review in the aircraft most commonly flown, or in a more complex M/M if the pilot regularly flies several aircraft. The flight instructor may also wish to recommend that the pilot take a review in more than one category/class of aircraft under certain circumstances. For example, a pilot with ASEL and glider ratings may have flown only gliders in the last 2 years but is also contemplating flying single-engine airplanes soon. If a pilot who requests a review only in the glider approaches a flight instructor, the flight instructor may wish to recommend an additional review by a qualified person in a single-engine airplane before the pilot acts as PIC of a single-engine airplane.

he flight instructor should consider the type of flying usually done by the pilot before establishing a plan of action for conducting the review. For example, a pilot conducting long-distance flights between busy terminal areas may need a different review than a pilot who usually flies in the local area from the same airport. The flight instructor should consider the need for an indepth review of certain subjects or procedures if the type of flight operations is likely to change, or if other extenuating circumstances exist. For example, a pilot who normally conducts only local flight operations may plan to begin flying to a location with Class B Airspace. Another pilot may only operate a two-seat aircraft without a radio but will operate in close proximity to Class B Airspace. In both cases, the flight instructor should include Class B Airspace operating requirements and procedures in the flight review. This review should also include pertinent revisions to operational regulations to ensure that the pilot has full knowledge of these changes.

The flight instructor should review the pilot’s logbook to determine total flight time, time in type, and recency of experience in order to evaluate the need for particular maneuvers and procedures in the review. For example, a pilot who has not flown in several years may require an extensive review of basic maneuvers from the PTS or ACS appropriate to that pilot’s certificate level. The same pilot may also require a more extensive review of part 91, including changes in airspace and other requirements. Another pilot who is transitioning to a newer, faster, or technically advanced aircraft (TAA) should receive more emphasis on knowledge of aircraft systems and performance, or in cross-country procedures appropriate to a faster airplane. Regardless of flight experience, the flight instructor should ensure that the review plan of action includes all areas in which the flight instructor determines the pilot should receive training in order to operate safely. In some cases, the flight instructor may wish to recommend that the pilot accomplish a complete refresher program.

After completing the above analysis, the flight instructor should review these considerations with the pilot and reach an understanding regarding how the flight instructor will conduct the review. The flight instructor should also review the criteria for satisfactory completion of the review with the pilot. The flight instructor may wish to provide the pilot with reading materials or recommend publications for study before conducting the flight review. For example, the FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) provides many free online “Wings Courses for Pilots,” which includes a free online flight review preparation course ALC-25, Flight Review Prep Guide. You can find this course at https://www.faasafety.gov/gslac/ALC/course_cat alog.aspx.

Instructors should also consider their own experience and qualifications in a given M/M aircraft prior to giving a review in that model. The flight instructor conducting a flight review must hold a category, class, and (if appropriate) type rating on their pilot certificate. Also, the instructor must have a category and class rating on their flight instructor certificate or a category and class flight instructor privilege in their logbook appropriate to the aircraft in which they will conduct 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 flight instructor is not current or with which that instructor is not familiar, the instructor should obtain recent flight experience or sufficient knowledge of aircraft limitations, characteristics, and performance before conducting the review. In any case, the flight instructor must observe the rating limitations of § 61.195.

The FAA recommends that flight instructors consider the information in this chapter and Appendices D through F of this AC to prepare, conduct, and document the flight review. After reaching an agreement on how the flight instructor will conduct the review, the flight instructor should prepare a plan of action for completing the review. The plan of action should include a list of regulatory subjects that the flight instructor 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 flight instructor will perform the review. You can find a suggested flight review plan of action format in Appendix D. Although not required by § 61.189, the flight instructor may wish to retain this plan of action (job aid) for an appropriate period as a record of the scope and content of the flight review. Additionally, the flight instructor may wish to submit an FAA Form 8710-1, Airman Certificate and/or Rating Application, to the Airmen Certification Branch. When submitted, the Airmen Certification Branch will add the application to the pilot’s record (see paragraph 1.10.2).

The flight instructor 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 flight instructor 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 flight instructor 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.

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 (see paragraph 2.3 for more information). Pilots should be familiar with all types of airspace, 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, flight instructors should place appropriate emphasis on this part of the review.

Occurrences of incidents and accidents due to a pilot’s lack of proficiency with aircraft automation have emphasized the need to ensure that all pilots are fully competent with the automated systems equipped in the aircraft flown. Automation competency is the pilot’s ability to understand and operate a given aircraft’s automated systems. The flight instructor should consider the type of automation the pilot regularly uses before establishing the plan of action for conducting the pilot’s flight review. When conducting the check in an aircraft with automation, the instructor should evaluate the pilot’s automation competency. Pilots transitioning to TAA should receive specialized transition training from a qualified flight instructor with experience with the specific equipment used.