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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