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Regulations Every CFI Must Know

Outline:



 

Introduction

  • Overview of critical regulations every Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) must follow.

  • Emphasis on instructing based on facts, not opinions.


Definitions from FAR Part 1 and 61

  • Flight Time: Precise definition of logged flight time.

  • Night: The legal definition of night operations.

  • Cross-country Time: Criteria for counting cross-country flight hours, especially for experience requirements.

  • Ratings and Authorizations: Understanding the distinction between ratings (which appear on pilot certificates) and authorizations (e.g., complex or high-performance aircraft).

  • Category/Class: Explanation of aircraft categories and classes for certification purposes.


Critical Subpart A Regulations

  • Medical Certificates (61.21): CFIs don't need a medical certificate unless acting as Pilot in Command (PIC).

  • BasicMed: CFIs can use BasicMed for instructional purposes under specific conditions.

  • Commercial Certificate Requirement: CFIs don’t need to use their commercial certificate while instructing unless acting as PIC.

  • Prerequisites for a Practical Test (61.39): Training time requirements and resolution of knowledge test deficiencies.

  • Retesting After Failure (61.49): Requirements for retesting and maintaining endorsements.


Student Pilot Key Regulations (Subpart C)

  • Student Pilot Certificates: Necessary for solo flight but not for training.

  • Medical/BasicMed: Student pilots require either a medical certificate or BasicMed (unless pursuing Sport Pilot, which can use a driver's license).

  • English Language Requirement: AC 60-28B sets standards for assessing student pilots' English proficiency.

  • 90-day Endorsements: Understanding the limitations of 90-day solo endorsements and cross-country (XC) flight rules.

  • Class B Airspace and Airport Endorsements: Specific training and endorsements required for student pilots to fly in Class B airspace and airports.


The Ratings Trinity

  • Aeronautical Knowledge: Requirements for ground training from an authorized instructor.

  • Flight Proficiency: Specific areas of flight training for safe and proficient flying.

  • Aeronautical Experience: Logging of required flight hours for certification.


Pilot Logbook Requirements (61.51)

  • Proper logging of flight time, including endorsements and the necessary details such as date, name, and CFI certificate number.

  • Differentiation between logging PIC time versus acting as PIC.


Flight Review (61.56)

  • Required every two calendar years unless specific conditions are met (e.g., checkrides, 121/135 training, or active CFI status).

  • Exemptions from ground requirements for certain cases.


Recency of Experience (61.57)

  • Requirements for maintaining recency based on category, class, and type ratings.


Issuance of Pilot Certificates Based on Foreign Licenses (61.75)

  • Details on obtaining U.S. pilot certificates based on foreign licenses, including the conditions for flight reviews and wings phase completion.


Flight Instructor Aeronautical Knowledge and Experience (Subpart H)

  • Requirements for CFIs to receive ground training in aeronautical knowledge.

  • Flight Instructor Records (61.189): Obligations for logging and maintaining training records for three years.

  • Endorsements: Keeping track of endorsements for solo privileges and knowledge test results.


Ground Instructors (Subpart I)

  • Why Get an Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) Certificate?: The benefits include the ability to endorse knowledge tests for various certificates and contributing towards the flight review.

  • FOI Knowledge Test Requirements: The requirements for ground instructors to take the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) knowledge test.

  • Gold Seal Instructor Eligibility: Explanation of how AGI certification can contribute toward achieving a Gold Seal.

 


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