Flight Review Resource

Most of the resources I used in developing this abbreviated guide are at the bottom of the page. This is basically an outline that you can use as a starting point for developing your own guideline to conduct the ground portion of the flight review. Since this is wiki-editable, anything experienced instructors and pilots can add would benefit us all. For the new CFI, having a plan going into a flight review is a good idea (if you want to make it productive for everybody at the table). The excerpt from the Helicopter Flight Instructor’s Guide is a good resource for the flight portion.

Pilot Regulations and Responsibilities

CFR 91.3 through 91.9

Passenger briefings (remember SSAFEEE)

• Seat belts
• Sterile cockpit
• Air vents and environmental controls (including headset operation)
• Fire extinguisher
• Exits
• Egress from helicopter
• Extra eyes

Pre-flight (remember WEALTH)

• Weather
• Expected performance
• Alternatives
• Landing zone/airport procedures
• Traffic delays (TFRs and NOTAMs)
• How much fuel?

Fitness to Fly

• Certificate and medical current
• Currency and proficiency
• IMSAFE

Aircraft

Airworthiness requirements

• Required inspections (AROW) and AV1ATE (Annual and ADs, VOR check, 100-hour, Altimeter/pitot static, Transponder, ELT)
• VFR day and night requirements

Inoperative equipment without a MEL

• Is it required by the type certificate?
• Is it on the aircraft’s required equipment list?
• Is it required by another regulation?
• Is it required by an AD?

Fuel requirements

Environment

Airport operations and signs

VFR minimums and rules

• Discuss minimum altitudes
• Discuss minimum CIG and VIS
• Discuss developing personal minimums

Review regulatory airspace requirements

TFRs

Weather sources (eg, new TAF format)

Helicopter Special Focus Areas

Greatest risks to helicopter pilots

• Wires
• Weather/IIMC
• Low rotor RPM

Resources

AOPA Pilot’s Guide to the Flight Review: Not for the CFI, but still helpful for helping determine what to cover.

Helicopter Flight Instructor Guide Excerpt on Flight Reviews: Specific for helicopters, but it’s a bit lacking.

AC 61-98–Currency and BFRs–Currency and Flight Reviews: Barebones Advisory Circular.

FAA Opinion on CFI Checkride as a Flight Review: Can your CFI checkride count as your flight review? FAA’s official opinion.