What is a Flight Review?

The Flight Review, formerly called a biennial flight review, is a comprehensive oral and flight session to determine a pilot’s skills in performing safe flight. It is not meant to be a check ride, but more of an instructional session. The oral portion is required to be at least 1 hour in length and covers the general operating and flight rules of CFR Parts 61 and 91. The flight maneuvers performed should reflect the pilot’s experience level and normal type of flying. The flight portion of the Review must be at least 1 hour in length. The main focus during the Flight Review is safety.

Who is required to have a Flight Review?

According to 14 CFR §61.56 every pilot must have a flight review every 24 calendar months to be able to act as Pilot in Command.

Are there options for completing a Flight Review?

You can complete the Flight Review in a number of ways. You can do the oral and flight review with an authorized flight instructor; you can obtain a new certificate or rating; or you can obtain a phase of the FAA Pilot Proficiency (Wings) Program.

What kind of questions can I expect in the oral?

You can expect questions relating to weather, weight and balance, aircraft performance, VFR charts and airspace, aero medical factors, and the applicable sections of both CFR Parts 1 and 91.

What will be covered during the flight?

The maneuvers and procedures covered in flight are dependent on the type of certificate held by the pilot. The instructor may ask to see some or all of the following maneuvers demonstrated:  normal, short field, or soft takeoffs and landings, flaps-up landing, steep turns, slow flight, stalls with power on and off, basic instrument maneuvers and unusual altitude recovery, ground reference maneuvers, chandelles, lazy 8’s, 8’s on pylons, steep spiral, systems and equipment failures, emergency procedures, slip to a landing, and go-around from an aborted landing.

What happens after the Flight Review is complete?

After the Flight Review is complete your instructor will endorse your logbook stating that the review was satisfactory. If for some reason more practice is needed, the instructor will not endorse your logbook. You may complete the Flight Review with any instructor you wish.

What can I do to prepare for the Flight Review?

Planning ahead for the Flight Review will save you time and money and ensure that you are prepared. In this brochure is a plan of action that will be used the basis for the oral and flight portions of the review. Study the sections listed in the oral guide and fly proficiency flights based on the maneuvers and procedures in the flight portion. Plan to fly at least twice per month starting at least 2 months prior to your Flight Review. Consult the FAA Practical Test Standards that are appropriate for your certificate in order to see what the proficiency standards are. The completion of the Flight Review is something that all of us must accomplish to act as the Pilot in Command of an aircraft. With proper preparation, the review will be a rewarding and educational experience.

Ground Review: 01:00 minimum

• Weather information
• Weight and balance
• Aircraft performance (Takeoff Data Sheet)
• FAR Part 61 (review all applicable sections)
• FAR Part 91 (review all applicable sections)
• VFR charts
• Aero medical factors
• Completion Standard

Evaluated procedures and maneuvers must be completed satisfactorily to at least Private Practical Test Standards.

Flight Review: 01:00 minimum

• Pre-flight inspection
• Ground operations
• Normal takeoff and departure
• Short field takeoff
• Soft field takeoff
• Steep turns
• Slow flight with & without flaps with steady stall warning
• Power on stalls
• Power off stalls
• Other maneuvers appropriate to the pilot's certificate level