FAA Rule Changes Affecting Flight Instructors

Starting on December 1. 2024, CFI certificates won’t have an expiration date. The process to keep it active is to complete an IACRA event after meeting the recency of experience requirements. Within the preceding 24 calendar months, you must have done one of the following:

1. Recommended at least 5 people for a practical test with at least an 80% first-time pass rate. 

2. Completed a FIRC. 

3. Completed a phase of the wings program and signed off at least 15 total events with 5 different people. 

4. Passed a US Armed Forces instructor pilot proficiency check within 12 calendar months. 

5. Passed a practical test instead of meeting the recency of experience requirements. 

6. Passed a practical test for an additional flight instructor rating. 

7. Are actively working as a company check

8. Pilot, check airman or flight instructor in a 121 or 135 training facility. 

You’ll need a certifying official to sign the IACRA. The expiration date used for endorsements is when your recency of experience will no longer be met. 

CFIs with expiration dates on their certificates will continue to use those and sign endorsements as usual.

If the CFI hasn’t completed the recency of experience requirements after 24 months, there is a 3 calendar month grace period during which you can reinstate the certificate by passing a FIRC. After that, the only way to reinstate is by a practical test. 

There are also new regulations regarding qualifications to provide ground or flight training to initial flight instructor applicants.

The following three cases are now recognized for providing flight instruction:

1. Have held a flight instructor certificate for at least 24 calendar months and have given at least 200 hours of flight instruction.

2. Have recommended at least 5 applicants for a practical test, and at least 80% passed on their first attempt. The certificate need not be held for any length of time, and there are no hour requirements.

3. Graduation from a Flight Instructor Enhanced Qualification Training Program.  This is a new program that Part 141 and 142 schools can offer.  It requires 25 hours of ground training and 10 hours of flight training (5 hours can be in an AATD.)
   

CFI Bootcamp delivers first “Mastery” class - Win

On October 12 and 13th, Mike taught the new CFI Mastery Class in person in Miami and Remotely.  CFIs and CFIs in training took advantage of the special price offered for the first class and there were more remote than in-person.  The course covered:

DAY ONE:

1. Using technology in the classroom and to provide remote instruction.

2. Using ForeFlight as a teaching platform and Zoom as a presenter together.

3. Backups and using Dropbox with ForeFlight.

4. Projecting to SmartTVs and projector systems.

5. Virtual whiteboards.

DAY TWO:

1. Practice using the technology.

2. Advanced ForeFlight and Zoom features.

3. How to create compelling presentations using PowerPoint/Keynote.

4. Using a Syllabus and delivering Pre-flight briefings.

5. Keeping track of student’s progress using Google Sheets.

6. Using Google Docs and Slides.

7. File management on iPad.

8. The 9 points to consider when training people to fly light airplanes.

Everyone got a lot out of the class and felt they could use most or all of the new methods with remote students and at the flight school.

The next Mastery class is over the Weekend of November 23rd and 24th.  

If you would like more info or want to register, click here.

NAFI Summit Was Postponed Due to Hurricane Milton. 

The NAFI Summit, scheduled for October 2024 in Daytona Beach, FL, was postponed due to Hurricane Milton’s impacts. The new dates are January 13-15.  The Summit will be held at Embry Riddle University in Daytona Beach, FL.  For additional information, visitt NAFI’s website.

Power Hour Attendance Exploded to Over 300 For the Oct 12 Show!

On October 13th the Power Hour had over 300 people.  The typical turnout is between 60-90 people.  Our loyal regulars were shocked!  

The topic was the new flight instructor regulations.  For over 4 years, the show has continued to deliver flight instructor and pilot-centric one-hour lessons to people nationwide and farther.  We have had people watch on flights across while in flight, in their cars, and just about everywhere.  The Power Hour happens on Saturday, from 12 pm - 1 pm Eastern time.  1900Z - 2000Z. 

 In most Power Hours, Mike opens the room after the show to answer questions and give people a chance to comment, etc. It’s a great way to spend part of your Saturday. If you want to know more about this show, click here. You’ll get an email mid-week to let you know the topic, then an hour before the show starts, and finally, an email once the show begins, so you won’t miss it!

Did you know that additional category and class ratings for Sport Pilots don’t require a DPE? Two CFIs will do. 

As the new Flight Instructor ACS now requires Sport Pilot regulations and certification to be tested, we find many CFIs aren’t aware of a very different rule in the Sport Pilot regulations.

A great oral question for the initial CFI rating would be:

How does a Sport pilot with an endorsement to be PIC of a Powered Parachute get an endorsement to do the same for Airplane Single-Engine Land?

Even the words look strange, endorsements, not additional category or class ratings.

That’s because the Sport pilot certificate doesn’t contain ratings.  They are all logbook endorsements.  An ASI or DPE must do the initial checkride for a Sport pilot.  After that, if a Sport pilot wants to get the equivalent of an additional category or class rating, they just need to receive training from a CFI and pass a proficiency test from another CFI.  The CFI conducting the proficiency check sends the application to the FAA (currently, there is no IACRA process for this), placing an endorsement in that pilot’s logbook.  They can then fly a Single single-engine land Aripalne with a passenger.

CFI Bootcamp covers the Sport pilot and Sport pilot flight instructor regulations and endorsements as part of the online and in-person courses.  Review these regulations if you are getting ready for an Initial CFI test.  Subpart J and K of FAR Part 61

ProTips

1. Newray makes the model airplane we use at CFI Bootcamp. It’s called Sky Pilot, and it’s a 1:42 scale plastic model that’s the perfect size for one-to-one or ground schools. It’s available at Amazon for around $20. 

2. Get a smart TV for the classroom or briefing area in your school. You can mirror your iPad or laptop and deliver a much better lesson. Plus you can have movie nights at the school!

3. If you use your iPad and a smart TV, you’ll want to keep a 6 ft HDMI Cable and an HDMI adapter for your iPad. You’ll need this when the internet goes down.