PilotWorkshops has launched a new audio course and podcast.
PilotWorkshops has launched a new podcast series based on its popular Airmanship 2.0 audio course, with the first two episodes available now on your favorite podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart.
The 16-part series features roundtable discussions with four well-known flight instructors:
Catherine Cavagnaro
Dave Hirschman
Wally Moran
Doug Stewart
Together, the group represents more than 25,000 hours of dual instruction and includes FAA National CFI of the Year winners, Designated Pilot Examiners, and National Flight Instructor Hall of Fame inductees.
The instructor group represents more than 25,000 hours of dual instruction.
Hosted by PilotWorkshops’ Ryan Koch, the podcast focuses on practical flying skills and decision-making topics including crosswind landings, weather planning, ATC communication, passenger management, emergencies, and takeoff technique. The conversational format allows the instructors to share real-world stories, common mistakes, and practical tips pilots can apply immediately.
Like what you hear? Listeners who want the complete course can access all 16 episodes plus a 40-page companion PDF for free inside the Sporty’s Pilot Training app for iOS.
The flight deck of every airplane includes a collection of flight instruments that display important information, like airspeed, altitude, heading and turn information. In this video we’ll go over the standard 6 instruments you’ll find in a Cessna 172 and how to interpret their indications.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/14142702/Airplane-flight-instruments.jpg10001250Bret Koebbehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngBret Koebbe2026-05-13 10:00:352026-05-13 17:28:37Decoding the cockpit: an intro to airplane flight instruments
Learning to fly will unlock a world of possibilities and give you unparalleled freedom to see the world. It is a truly unique experience—one of the last great adventures in our modern life. It is challenging, rewarding and flat out fun!
Some people start flying to make a career out of it, eventually working as a professional pilot. There are numerous jobs in aviation besides just airline pilot. Career opportunities include business aviation pilot, flight instructing, cargo airlines, military flying, law enforcement and many more. Read more about becoming a professional pilot.
For others, flying is a convenient and cost-effective method of personal or business travel. You can set your own schedule, use airports that airlines don’t serve and leave the hassles of security lines behind. For business use, airplanes allow you to do more in one day than you could do in a week traveling by airline. Flexibility, privacy, security and freedom are all great reasons to use a personal airplane for travel.
In the end, though, many pilots fly for pure enjoyment, taking local flights on nice days to soar above familiar locations and new and interesting places. You can take a friend and fly for lunch at another airport, tour local landmarks or attend fly-ins to meet other pilots and get involved in the aviation community. No matter where you’re headed, being up in the air is the greatest thrill of all.
Whether you want to fly for a living or just for fun, general aviation offers a safe, rewarding and efficient way to travel.
Learning to fly will unlock a world of possibilities and give you unparalleled freedom to see the world.
How to become a pilot – a learn to fly checklist
The process of learning to fly can seem overwhelming at first. But you can do it, and our team of flight instructors here at Sporty’s can help. That’s why we’ve developed this quick checklist of key steps to help you become a pilot:
You must be at least 16 years old to solo an airplane.
There is no “right” type of person to become a pilot. Aviators come from all kinds of backgrounds, each with unique reasons for flying. The good news is, you can take lessons at any age—there is no minimum and no maximum.
Some requirements to keep in mind:
You must be at least 16 years old to solo an airplane (or 14 to solo a glider or balloon)
You must be 17 years old to earn a license (Sport, Recreational or Private certificate, 16 in a glider or balloon)
For the Recreational and Private certificates, you will need to pass a Third Class Medical exam. This isn’t a big deal (and no, you don’t have to have perfect vision – read why
You must be able to read and speak English
And no, you don’t have to be a math genius or have perfect health. Attitude and determination is more important than age or skill. A commitment to take the training seriously, and stick with it will serve you well. Learning to fly is a long, sometimes arduous journey marked by elation and occasional frustration. The process will be easier, and more enjoyable, if you can maintain a positive, always learning attitude.
Maintaining a positive outlook with a focus on what the aviation community and being a pilot will provide will aid in your success. And there are plenty of ways to involve your support network (family, friends, etc.). Keep them apprised of your progress and even invite them to the airport or recruit them to help you study. The more support you have, the better!
How much does it cost to earn a pilot’s license?
No one wants to pay too much for a product or service, and it’s certainly no different with learning to fly. Learning to fly involves some expense, but it’s important to examine this expense as an investment that will provide a lifetime of return. The extent and depth of the training you will receive for your money makes learning to fly one of the all-time great bargains compared to many other recreational or business pursuits. For your investment, you will acquire the basic skills needed to safely enjoy an extraordinary and unique activity for years to come—a pilot’s license never expires!
Cost varies by flight school and license, and geographic location, but it is usually about the price of a family vacation for a week.
Cost varies by flight school and license, and geographic location, but it is usually about the price of a family vacation for a week (anywhere from $12,000 to $16,000).
And, you can pay as you go, so there’s no large payment due up front. And the good news is that you can control much of what you spend and take steps to make your training more efficient (read our Five Ways to Save Money During Training). Frequency of training has the greatest impact on your total investment. Sporty’s recommends a frequency of 2-3 lessons per week for the best efficiency. A lesson costs about $250 – $300 which translates to $2,000 – $3,000 per month over the course of your training (about 4-5 months).
As with many things, in the long run value turns out to be more important than the bottom-line cost of your flight training. You should be concerned with what you are getting for your money, not just how much you’ll spend. Value is measured by the quality of the training, and the relationship that develops between you and your instructor or flight school. The cheapest usually isn’t the best.
When researching cost, be sure to ask about all the expenses associated with training: instructor time, including preflight and post-flight briefings, aircraft rental, ground school, the written test, the oral exam and check ride, and the necessary supplies.
Some schools, and most ab initio career-training academies, charge an all-inclusive price covering flight and ground training for all certificates and ratings in the program. Look carefully at these deals. A seemingly low package price may cover only the minimum instructional flight hours required in the regulations. Since most people take longer, you could end up spending considerably more. Also check on the school’s financial stability and refund policy in the event you must withdraw for whatever reason and always be cautious of paying large sums of money up front.
If cost is a critical concern, make it a priority on your school shopping list, but don’t lose sight of the importance of value.
How to earn a flight training scholarship
It’s no secret that pilot training requires a significant investment, but thankfully there are resources to help. Sporty’s Flight Training Central has compiled a list of those resources that contain hundreds of awards worth millions of dollars that can be applied to various phases of pilot training. Please check carefully for eligibility and deadlines and remember these important tips:
Carefully review scholarship requirements to ensure eligibility before applying
Be meticulous in reviewing forms and items that must be submitted with applications and be accurate in your completion
Stand out in the crowd – include background, service and experiences that are uniquely you
Don’t procrastinate – if required to obtain a letter of reference, start early and don’t expect those who may offer recommendations to be able to deliver a polished letter on a day’s notice
Respect the deadlines – deadlines do not mean post marked. Allow enough time for your applications to arrive well ahead of deadline
What’s the right pilot certificate: Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot?
When you start flying, you may be presented the choice of pursuing your Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot or Private Pilot certificate. Understanding the differences between them will help you to choose the path that is best for you.
You may be presented the choice of pursuing your Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot or Private Pilot certificate.
Sport Pilot – The Sport Pilot certificate allows you to earn your pilot’s license in as little as 20 hours of training, and does not require a medical certificate (see above); however, a sport pilot must hold at least a current driver’s license. In practice, most students will require more than the minimum flight training experience. You are limited to flying airplanes with a maximum of 4 seats and that won’t stop flying until slowed to 59 nautical miles per hour (knots) or less in their normal flying configuration. The FAA calls this the clean stalling speed which you will learn more about during your training. Most local flight schools have aircraft that meet the Sport Pilot criteria, but not all flight schools will teach to the Sport Pilot standards. Reach out and find out. As a Sport Pilot, you will be able to fly a Sport Pilot eligible airplane in good weather with a maximum of one passenger. If you decide that you would like to fly at night, you will need to get additional training and you will need a 3rd class medical certificate.
Recreational Pilot – Another great option for new pilots to get in the air quickly is the Recreational Pilot Certificate, which requires a minimum of 30 hours of flying. While 30 hours is the minimum, similar to Sport training, in practice, pilots will typically take closer to 40 hours of training to obtain the required level of safety and proficiency.
The Recreational certificate allows you to carry a passenger during the day in good weather, and in aircraft with up to four seats and up to a 180-horsepower engine (a Cessna Skyhawk or Piper Cherokee, for example). This is perfect for local flights with family or friends, and will get you into the air quickly. You can also add additional privileges or transition to the Private Pilot certificate when you’re ready–you’ll just do some additional training with an instructor on cross-country, night flying and/or in airspace requiring communication with Air Traffic Control.
Private Pilot – The Private Pilot certificate has been around the longest, and is often what people mean when they say they “got their license.” There are fewer restrictions on the type of airplane you can fly and the places you can fly to, and there are plenty of options for add-on privileges, like Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings. The minimum training time is 40 hours–at least 20 with an instructor and 10 solo–but most students take 60-80 hours. This training time may also vary depending on the rules under which the flight school operates. You may hear terms such as training under Part 61 vs. Part 141 – read about the differences here.
For all three of these certificates, you’ll be required to complete ground training (which can be largely accomplished online), a written exam and a flight test. Only the Recreational and Private certificates will require that you earn a medical certificate, but read why that’s not a big deal.
Also remember that you can change your mind as you train. For example, Sport Pilot training time will count towards a Recreational or Private license. It’s also worth noting, that every pilot has to solo (fly the airplane by themself) as a first step so there is no need to make a decision quickly. The most important first step, take an introductory or discovery flight at your local airport!
How to get a Student Pilot Certificate
You will need a Student Pilot Certificate before your first solo; that momentous occasion when your instructor has enough confidence in your ability to depart the airplane and send you off by yourself. When training under the general rules for flight training, you can obtain the certificate at any time prior to the solo.
You will need a Student Pilot Certificate before your first solo.
To obtain your Student Pilot Certificate, you must complete an application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website. As part of the registration process, you’ll obtain a unique FAA tracking number or FTN. A flight instructor, or other authorized individual, will verify your identify before your application can be completed and submitted. Once the application is submitted, the student pilot certificate will be mailed to the address provided by you on the application within a few weeks, but will be available to download from IACRA within a few days.
Your Guide to the FAA Medical Certificate and Alternatives
The pursuit of most pilot certificates will require you to obtain and hold an FAA Medical Certificate.
The pursuit of most pilot certificates will require you to obtain and hold an FAA Medical Certificate prior to flying solo.
If you are pursuing a Sport Pilot Certificate and will only be flying solo in a Sport eligible airplane, you may be able to use your valid driver’s license as a testament to your acceptable health. To exercise the option of using your driver’s license in place an FAA Medical Certificate, you must not have failed your most recent attempt at an FAA Medical Certificate or be under a medical suspension. If you have never attempted to obtain an FAA Medical Certificate or you allowed your most recent medical to expire, the valid driver’s license may be an option for you.
If you are learning to fly in a glider, motorglider, or balloon, you will not need a medical. You will simply need to be able to attest to the fact that you do not have any medical conditions that would preclude your safe operation of the aircraft in solo flight.
FAA Medical Certificate’s are issued by an FAA Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). AME’s are physicians with a special interest in aviation safety and have training in aviation medicine.
If you have any condition that may be medically disqualifying or could slow your medical approval, do not visit your AME before meeting with and discussing your options with a knowledgeable instructor. Alternatively, you can contact a resource like the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) to discuss your situation. They have experts available to help find your best route for success in the medical certification process.
Some conditions that can be disqualifying or could slow your medical approval include but are not limited to:
Diabetes
Heart Disease
Nervous Disorders
History of Kidney Stones
Emotional or Mental Disorders
Epilepsy
Uncorrectable Vision
Certain Levels of Hearing Loss
History of Alcohol or Drug Dependence
Any condition that could impair your ability to operate an aircraft safely
If you would like further information on potentially disqualifying conditions, the standards for medical certification are contained in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 67. If 14 CFR Part 67 indicates that a condition will not allow you to obtain a medical certificate, all hope is not lost. There may be an option to obtain a special issuance medical certificate or obtain a medical with certain operating limitations. Discuss this with one of the previously mentioned sources before pushing forward with your examination.
If you are in good health and ready to obtain your FAA Medical Certificate, find an AME, schedule an appointment, and fill out your application on MedXPress before going to see the doctor. Be truthful on this application, especially in the area of alcohol related driving offenses. The FAA can and will check your answers against the National Driver Register database. Falsification of facts can lead to fines and revocation of certificates.
At some point in the process, you will be asked about the “Class” of medical you would like to apply for. We will review the classes in a moment but you should plan to obtain the class of medical certificate required, for the certificate level you ultimately want. This will tell you if you are medically qualified for that certificate. Finding this out now is better than waiting until you have already spent thousands of dollars on training for a certificate that you ultimately may not be able to use.
A 1st Class medical is required when flight operations require an Air Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. An ATP is required to act as the Pilot in Command (PIC) or Captain of a scheduled airliner.
A 2nd Class medical is required when flight operations require a Commercial Pilot certificate. A Commercial certificate is required essentially to get paid to be a pilot.
A 3rd Class medical is required for all other flight operations that require an FAA Medical Certificate. This includes Student Pilots pursuing a Recreational or Private certificate, Recreational and Private pilots, and most Flight Instructors.
For operations as a Student, Recreational, or Private Pilot, all classes of medical certificates are valid for 60 calendar months if you obtained the certificate prior to your 40th birthday. If you obtained the medical on or after your 40th birthday, the certificate is valid for only 24 calendar months.
More detailed information about FAA Medical Certificate expirations can be found in the table below from the FAA via 14 CFR Part 61:
If you hold
And on the date of examination for your most recent medical certificate you were
And you are conducting an operation requiring
Then your medical certificate expires, for that operation, at the end of the last day of the
(1) A first-class medical certificate
(i) Under age 40
an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, or for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots
12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(ii) Age 40 or older
an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots, or for a pilot flightcrew member in part 121 operations who has reached his or her 60th birthday.
6th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(iii) Any age
a commercial pilot certificate (other than a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating when conducting flight training), a flight engineer certificate, or an air traffic control tower operator certificate
12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(iv) Under age 40
a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification)
60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(v) Age 40 or older
a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification)
24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(2) A second-class medical certificate
(i) Any age
an airline transport pilot certificate for second-in-command privileges (other than the operations specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section), a commercial pilot certificate (other than a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating when conducting flight training), a flight engineer certificate, or an air traffic control tower operator certificate
12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(ii) Under age 40
a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification)
60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(iii) Age 40 or older
a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification)
24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(3) A third-class medical certificate
(i) Under age 40
a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification)
60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(ii) Age 40 or older
a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification)
24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
How do I choose a flight school?
Finding a flight school is the first step towards earning your license. So how to find one? Our flight school search tool is a good place to start—it shows nearly 1,000 flight school locations in the US. You can also do a basic search at your favorite internet search engine, or ask other pilots for recommendations.
Once you’ve located some schools, choosing the right one is one of the most important choices you’ll make in training. More than anything, a flight school needs to be a good fit for you–your schedule, your goals and your personality.
Visit flight schools near you. Meet with the staff and tour the facilities and airplanes. Ask any questions you may have about the flight training process, flight school policies, scheduling, rates and instructors. Your personal opinion counts here. Do the airplanes look clean and well-maintained? Are the instructors friendly and helpful? What is your general feeling about the school as a whole? Details matter and typically, if a flight school cares about the details, you’re in for a good experience.
Personal referrals are always a good option. Consider if you are connected to someone who has trained at a specific school and would be willing to recommend the school and/or an instructor.
Flight schools vary from large training facilities to one airplane flight schools with part time instructors. But bigger doesn’t always mean better, so look for some signs of a well-run flight school:
A brick-and-mortar facility with classrooms, helpful teaching aids, and a supportive learning environment.
A staff of flight instructors from which to choose.
An engaged and supportive management structure.
A proven training curriculum for the certificate that you want to pursue.
A well-maintained fleet of training aircraft.
An efficient scheduling system for aircraft and instructors.
Flexible hours to fit your training schedule.
Experience in teaching primary students.
Financing arrangements to help you manage the cost of learning to fly.
Some schools that cater to aspiring professional pilots even offer housing and job placement opportunities.
You can also train with an independent instructor, outside of a formal flight school. This can be a good option if the instructor is someone you know and respect and whose schedule fits yours. But make sure to ask about access to an aircraft—if you’re constantly canceling lessons because you can’t rent an airplane, you’ll soon get frustrated.
How do I choose a flight instructor?
Spend some time to find the right flight instructor who will have the greatest influence in your success.
Even after choosing the perfect flight school, spend some time to find the right flight instructor who will have the greatest influence in your success. He or she will be a key element in your training and how much enjoyment you get out of flying. While all flight instructors are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and meet minimum standards, your personality and attitude will naturally be a better fit with some instructors than others. Just like you “interviewed” the flight school, sit down with a prospective instructor and get to know them. Talk about your reasons for learning to fly, your goals and your questions. Ask about the instructor’s background, their previous students and what training curriculum they’ll use. And as always, judge whether your personalities will be a good match. Your gut feel is usually more important than the age or experience of an instructor. In most situations, you’ll forge a lifetime relationship with your instructor.
It’s important to ensure you’ll be able to maintain open and clear communication and that expectations for both you and the instructor are well known and that you will have an active voice in the process.
Also keep in mind that, at most flight schools, you can change flight instructors if the relationship simply isn’t working well. Personal referrals also go a long way. If you have a connection to someone who has trained at a particular school, find out more about the instructor and why that person connected.
Your first flight lesson – a video preview
Getting into the air and taking your first flight is the most important—and most enjoyable—step you can take in your journey. There’s nothing like your first takeoff in an airplane to show you the fun and freedom of flying. If you’re on the fence about learning to fly, go take a first lesson!
For your first flight, you and your instructor will probably spend about an hour together. You’ll do a pre-flight inspection of the airplane, talk about some basic concepts and then go flying. You’ll most likely sit in the left seat, with your hands on the controls—you are flying!
The instructor will show you a normal takeoff, basic maneuvers (straight-and-level flight, turns, descents, etc.) and a normal landing. When you land, your instructor will make your first logbook entry. You’re now on your way to becoming a pilot.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08103304/how-to-become-a-pilot.png10001250Flight Training Central Staffhttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngFlight Training Central Staff2026-05-12 08:25:422026-05-12 08:30:23How to Become a Pilot: Your Complete Guide to Learning to Fly
Free resources, original content, and special offers throughout the week
Learn to Fly Week at Sporty’s.
May 9 – 18, 2026 is Learn to Fly Week at Sporty’s, a celebration of learning to fly designed to help new pilots achieve their aviation goals. In addition to offering savings on popular pilot gear and training resources, Sporty’s will be posting inspiring content on its social media channels, and delivering valuable flight training resources atFlightTrainingCentral.com.
Limited time Learn to Fly Week specials will be available on a variety of products, including Sporty’s award-winningLearn to Fly Course. Pilots will also be able to save on flight bags and other equipment to support the flight training process. All pilots can improve in a variety of areas with the Airmanship 2.0 audio course from PilotWorkshops, available free.
Additionally, Sporty’s is teaming up with EAA to offer two live webinar presentations:
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/08101421/learn-to-fly-week.png10001250Flight Training Central Staffhttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngFlight Training Central Staff2026-05-09 08:55:292026-05-08 11:40:17It’s Learn to Fly Week at Sporty’s and Flight Training Central
Airplanes always seem to want to turn left, especially in a climb. But why does this happen? In this three-minute video tip, we dive into the physics in a way that makes sense for pilots. 3D animations and in-flight video show the effects of P-factor, gyroscopic precession and spiraling slipstream.
https://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/23160157/Left-Turning-Tendencies.jpg10001250Bret Koebbehttps://media.flighttrainingcentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/17092615/FTC_Redesign_2025_WhiteRed_WEB.pngBret Koebbe2026-05-06 10:30:232026-05-06 11:05:03Airplane aerodynamics: Why do airplanes want to turn to the left?
Somewhat like our pilot certificates, which require a flight review in order to exercise our privileges, our flight instructor certificates are subject to a 24-calendar month recent experience requirement. A big difference is that completing a successful flight review will allow you to continue or return to flying even if a number of years have passed. If you let the recent experience on your flight instructor certificate lapse for too long, you will need a practical exam to reinstate your instructing privileges. There are several ways to maintain the recent experience on your CFI certificate as described in the regulations. Remembering the nuances of each method can be a chore since we only do it every two years. Here are more than a dozen tips for making it a smooth experience.
Keeping Your Same Recent Experience End Date Month
Most of us are creatures of habit. We like to keep things as close to the same as possible even though things are changing. In order to keep the same recent experience end date (REED) month, there are a few things that you need to watch out for. If you are unsure of your REED, login to IACRA and go to your console to find your REED on the Airman Certificate tab of your Airman Information, or look yourself up on the Airmen Registry and find it there.
What is REED?
Your Recent Experience End Date is the month your CFI privileges expire—the last day of that month.
14 CFR 61.197(a)(3) explains that you can keep your same REED month as long as you complete the recent experience process within 3-calendar months of your current REED. If you use a Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC) to establish your recent experience, there is an additional requirement that the graduation certificate must be dated within 3-calendar months of the REED.
Reinstatement of your privileges using a FIRC under 14 CFR 61.199(a)(1) within 3-calendar months after your current REED, will also keep the same REED month for the future. The FIRC graduation certificate needs to be dated within 3-calendar months of when you submit your reinstatement application. Your flight instructor privileges are not valid after your REED until you submit your application and it is processed by your certifying official (DPE, ACR, FAA Inspector, etc.)
What gets confusing is how to calculate the 3-calendar months in these situations. The simple way to look at it is that you get 3 full months plus whatever partial month you have left over in the current month when before your REED. In other words, if you have a September REED, your CFI privileges expire on September 30th. September, August, and July are your full months. As long as you establish recent experience after June 1st, you get whatever is left of June as kind of a bonus time period. If you are using the FIRC method to establish your recent experience, ensure that you slow your progress (online) and finish the course after June 1st so that your graduation certificate is also within 3 calendar months. If attending a live, in-person FIRC, attend one after June 1st but before September 30th.
When looking at a reinstatement, the 3-calendar months for reinstating with a FIRC are the 3 full months immediately following your end date. If your REED is September 30th, you have October, November, and December to submit your application with your FIRC graduation certification and have the application processed by a certifying official.
Tips #1 & #2, to keep your same expiration month, calculate your 3-calendar month window and plan to submit or complete your recent experience validation within this window. If using a FIRC for establishing recent experience, also ensure that you complete the FIRC inside this window. If you are submitting your application after only 12-calendar months for some reason, doing it in the same month as your REED is the only way to keep that month.
Use this window allowed by the regulation to take care of things in relaxed manner. Don’t wait until the last week of the last month to scramble to get it done. Poor planning as an instructor should not constitute an emergency for someone else.
June | July | August | September (REED)
← Eligible window →
Ways to Validate Your Recent Experience
One way to establish recent experience is based upon taking and passing a practical exam or checkride for a CFI rating with your local DPE or FAA Inspector. This practical can be for a rating that you already have or it can be for a CFI rating that you would like to add. Tip #3 will likely work best for CFIs that are newer in their career. Establishing recent experience in this manner can be an opportunity to expand your earning potential by adding a CFI Instrument rating or a new category or class rating to your certificate. Depending on the addition, you may need to complete a knowledge exam and you will need another instructor’s signoff to take the practical. As a bonus, this type of validation also counts as a flight review.
If you are an active CFI whose students have an 80% 1st attempt pass rate, validating recent experience based on your activity can be one of the simplest and smoothest ways to validate. You will need to have signed off at least 5 applicants for a certificate or rating practical test and they will need to have attained the aforementioned pass rate. Tip #4 is to submit your IACRA application with this type of record to your local FSDO or an approved DPE and establish your recent experience quickly and easily.
You may also establish your recent experience as an active participant and instructor in an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program, commonly known as WINGS. Personally, you must have completed a phase of WINGS within the preceding 12-calendar months. As an instructor, you must have conducted at least 15 WINGS flight activities, during which you must have evaluated at least 5 different pilots and made the necessary endorsements in the logbooks of each pilot for each activity. Tip #5 is to submit your IACRA application along with your WINGS activity records to your local FSDO or an approved DPE to establish your recent experience using this method.
I won’t count this one as a tip since it doesn’t apply to a lot of instructors but instructors who have served as a company check pilot, chief flight instructor, company check airman, a flight instructor in a part 121 or 135 operation, or in a position involving the regular evaluation of pilots, may be able to validate recent experience based upon their duties and responsibilities. Flight instructors that also instruct in the military, may validate recent experience based upon passing certain proficiency checks there.
The primary way that less active instructors will establish their recent experience is by graduating from a flight instructor refresher course or FIRC. The remaining tips will relate to this method.
A Smooth FIRC-Based Validation
Many of these tips only apply to an online recent experience validation service. You will likely be meeting directly with the FIRC’s Airman Certification Representative (ACR) during an in-person FIRC or a local DPE or FAA inspector for an in-person validation. Some will still apply regardless of who processes your application.
Tip #6 applies to and will be appreciated by anyone completing the validation for you. Be sure to fill out IACRA completely and submit the application prior to meeting with or submitting your documents to an ACR or other approved authority. While many FIRC providers offer a “paperless” validation service, there is no legal way that I am aware of, for them to login to your account and fill out the online application for you. They can only review your submitted application, enter your identification and graduation information, and approve the application. If a company or an individual is asking for your login details, turn around and walk away! By submitting the application yourself, you are signing it to attest to its validity and your eligibility. If you are having difficulty getting to the “signing” step, ensure that pop-ups are not blocked by your browser for the IACRA website.
While you are filling out IACRA, I would suggest following Tip #7. Sign the Pilot’s Bill of Rights (PBR). All that you are saying is that you have received the information within the PBR and that you understand that the FAA will be “investigating” the information that you have submitted prior to issuing your new REED. They are going to review and investigate your record regardless. If you don’t sign it, the ACR will sign it on your behalf to ensure the FAA that you have seen the PBR. He or she may also need to follow up with you about it to ensure that you have seen the PBR. Failing to sign it yourself, just slows the process a bit.
Tip #8, use a common form of identification that is acceptable to the FAA when submitting your documents for validation. The most common forms are a valid driver’s license or a valid passport or passport card. Obscure forms of identification require the ACR to chase down their validity which also slows the process. If you use BasicMed for your medical, a driver’s license is your best option because IACRA reminds the ACR to confirm that you have a valid driver’s license.
Speaking of your identification, Tip #9, ensure that it has a valid identification number on the front of the id or submit both sides of the id. U.S. military ids are a common and acceptable form of validation identification for those in the military. The problem is that the identification number that is needed for IACRA is on the back and the expiration date is on the front. You need to submit both sides.
When you submit your CFI certificate, Tip #10 is to be sure to submit both sides of this certificate as well. The front side allows the ACR to confirm that the citizenship on your certificate matches your application. The back side of the certificate allows the ACR to verify your ratings and limitations.
Tip #11, be sure that the identification and certificate documents or images that you submit are clear and readable but not such a large size that they cause upload or email problems. Compressing them too much causes them to blur. Using flash may make important information unreadable. Good lighting without the flash works best.
Tip #12 applies to applicants that do not have a U.S. mailing address. If this applies to you, you must follow 14 CFR Part 3 Subpart C and designate a U.S. Agent for Service. Utilize the FAA’s https://usas.faa.gov/ to notify them of your designated agent and save a copy of your notification confirmation to supply to your ACR during the validation process.
The last two tips for this section apply to Sporty’s eFIRC but may also apply to others.
When uploading your documents to the Sporty’s Paperless Validation server, there is a place to enter your phone number. Tip #13 is to be sure to fill this out with a number where you can be reached if there is a problem with your validation. This number does not go to any marketing types. If you follow all of the tips in this post, you most likely won’t get a call. It is only there in case there is a problem with your validation and the ACR or customer service associate cannot reach you by email. You won’t get other calls!
Tip #14 is a bit of a bundle related to the graduation certificate issued by the Sporty’s eFIRC system. Regardless of who completes your validation, us or someone else, you do need to click the button that says Request Graduation Certificate. This does a number of things in the background to trigger the graduation process and gives you the opportunity to ensure that the name on your graduation certificate matches your CFI certificate and photo id. Before hitting the button, ensure that your course profile is correct (check the box for using for renewal/reinstating and REED still in the future or within 3-calendar months past) to ensure that the system will issue you a graduation certificate and not a completion certificate. You cannot use a completion certificate for a validation without help from our customer service crew. It is quicker and easier to check your profile before clicking the button.
Differences for Sport Instructors
61.425 talks about establishing recent experience for a Sport Instructor certificate. It simply refers you to the provisions of §61.197 for the requirements so that part isn’t any different. What does change for Sport Instructors is the version of the 8710 form that the FAA uses and the path within IACRA.
For Sport Instructor validations, IACRA uses a different version of its software. It doesn’t look the same and it doesn’t act the same. One of the big differences operationally is that you won’t be able to sign the application before submitting it to the ACR. After the ACR fills in a few things on their end, they will contact you and ask you to login to IACRA and sign the application. After you sign it, the ACR will be able to go back into the application finish a few more items and sign it as well. It takes a bit longer but it can still be completed as a paperless validation.
Final Thoughts
There are a number of ways to validate the recent experience for your CFI certificate. Online and in-person FIRCs are a convenient option for many CFIs. The FAA is very prescriptive on what these must contain and who can process your validation once you have graduated. Here’s hoping that a little preparation and planning will go a long way toward making this process a smooth one for you!
PilotWorkshops Launches New Airmanship 2.0 Podcast Series
/in News/by Eric Radtke
PilotWorkshops has launched a new audio course and podcast.
PilotWorkshops has launched a new podcast series based on its popular Airmanship 2.0 audio course, with the first two episodes available now on your favorite podcast platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeart.
The 16-part series features roundtable discussions with four well-known flight instructors:
Together, the group represents more than 25,000 hours of dual instruction and includes FAA National CFI of the Year winners, Designated Pilot Examiners, and National Flight Instructor Hall of Fame inductees.
The instructor group represents more than 25,000 hours of dual instruction.
Hosted by PilotWorkshops’ Ryan Koch, the podcast focuses on practical flying skills and decision-making topics including crosswind landings, weather planning, ATC communication, passenger management, emergencies, and takeoff technique. The conversational format allows the instructors to share real-world stories, common mistakes, and practical tips pilots can apply immediately.
New episodes will be released every Monday.
Like what you hear? Listeners who want the complete course can access all 16 episodes plus a 40-page companion PDF for free inside the Sporty’s Pilot Training app for iOS.
Listen to the podcast here:
Decoding the cockpit: an intro to airplane flight instruments
/in Video Tips/by Bret KoebbeThe flight deck of every airplane includes a collection of flight instruments that display important information, like airspeed, altitude, heading and turn information. In this video we’ll go over the standard 6 instruments you’ll find in a Cessna 172 and how to interpret their indications.
The video clip below is from Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.
How to Become a Pilot: Your Complete Guide to Learning to Fly
/in Getting Started, Tips and technique/by Flight Training Central StaffFollow our helpful learn to fly checklist.
Why Learn to Fly?
How to become a pilot – a learn to fly checklist
Who can be a pilot?
How much does it cost to earn a pilot’s license?
How to earn a flight training scholarship
What’s the right pilot certificate: Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot?
How to get a Student Pilot Certificate
Your Guide to the FAA Medical Certificate and Alternatives
How do I choose a flight school?
How do I choose a flight instructor?
Your first flight lesson – a video preview
Why Learn to Fly?
Learning to fly will unlock a world of possibilities and give you unparalleled freedom to see the world. It is a truly unique experience—one of the last great adventures in our modern life. It is challenging, rewarding and flat out fun!
Some people start flying to make a career out of it, eventually working as a professional pilot. There are numerous jobs in aviation besides just airline pilot. Career opportunities include business aviation pilot, flight instructing, cargo airlines, military flying, law enforcement and many more. Read more about becoming a professional pilot.
For others, flying is a convenient and cost-effective method of personal or business travel. You can set your own schedule, use airports that airlines don’t serve and leave the hassles of security lines behind. For business use, airplanes allow you to do more in one day than you could do in a week traveling by airline. Flexibility, privacy, security and freedom are all great reasons to use a personal airplane for travel.
In the end, though, many pilots fly for pure enjoyment, taking local flights on nice days to soar above familiar locations and new and interesting places. You can take a friend and fly for lunch at another airport, tour local landmarks or attend fly-ins to meet other pilots and get involved in the aviation community. No matter where you’re headed, being up in the air is the greatest thrill of all.
Whether you want to fly for a living or just for fun, general aviation offers a safe, rewarding and efficient way to travel.
Learning to fly will unlock a world of possibilities and give you unparalleled freedom to see the world.
How to become a pilot – a learn to fly checklist
The process of learning to fly can seem overwhelming at first. But you can do it, and our team of flight instructors here at Sporty’s can help. That’s why we’ve developed this quick checklist of key steps to help you become a pilot:
Learn more:
Sign up for Sporty’s free Get Started Learning to Fly course.
Who can be a pilot?
You must be at least 16 years old to solo an airplane.
There is no “right” type of person to become a pilot. Aviators come from all kinds of backgrounds, each with unique reasons for flying. The good news is, you can take lessons at any age—there is no minimum and no maximum.
Some requirements to keep in mind:
And no, you don’t have to be a math genius or have perfect health. Attitude and determination is more important than age or skill. A commitment to take the training seriously, and stick with it will serve you well. Learning to fly is a long, sometimes arduous journey marked by elation and occasional frustration. The process will be easier, and more enjoyable, if you can maintain a positive, always learning attitude.
Maintaining a positive outlook with a focus on what the aviation community and being a pilot will provide will aid in your success. And there are plenty of ways to involve your support network (family, friends, etc.). Keep them apprised of your progress and even invite them to the airport or recruit them to help you study. The more support you have, the better!
How much does it cost to earn a pilot’s license?
No one wants to pay too much for a product or service, and it’s certainly no different with learning to fly. Learning to fly involves some expense, but it’s important to examine this expense as an investment that will provide a lifetime of return. The extent and depth of the training you will receive for your money makes learning to fly one of the all-time great bargains compared to many other recreational or business pursuits. For your investment, you will acquire the basic skills needed to safely enjoy an extraordinary and unique activity for years to come—a pilot’s license never expires!
Cost varies by flight school and license, and geographic location, but it is usually about the price of a family vacation for a week.
Cost varies by flight school and license, and geographic location, but it is usually about the price of a family vacation for a week (anywhere from $12,000 to $16,000).
And, you can pay as you go, so there’s no large payment due up front. And the good news is that you can control much of what you spend and take steps to make your training more efficient (read our Five Ways to Save Money During Training). Frequency of training has the greatest impact on your total investment. Sporty’s recommends a frequency of 2-3 lessons per week for the best efficiency. A lesson costs about $250 – $300 which translates to $2,000 – $3,000 per month over the course of your training (about 4-5 months).
As with many things, in the long run value turns out to be more important than the bottom-line cost of your flight training. You should be concerned with what you are getting for your money, not just how much you’ll spend. Value is measured by the quality of the training, and the relationship that develops between you and your instructor or flight school. The cheapest usually isn’t the best.
When researching cost, be sure to ask about all the expenses associated with training: instructor time, including preflight and post-flight briefings, aircraft rental, ground school, the written test, the oral exam and check ride, and the necessary supplies.
Some schools, and most ab initio career-training academies, charge an all-inclusive price covering flight and ground training for all certificates and ratings in the program. Look carefully at these deals. A seemingly low package price may cover only the minimum instructional flight hours required in the regulations. Since most people take longer, you could end up spending considerably more. Also check on the school’s financial stability and refund policy in the event you must withdraw for whatever reason and always be cautious of paying large sums of money up front.
If cost is a critical concern, make it a priority on your school shopping list, but don’t lose sight of the importance of value.
How to earn a flight training scholarship
It’s no secret that pilot training requires a significant investment, but thankfully there are resources to help. Sporty’s Flight Training Central has compiled a list of those resources that contain hundreds of awards worth millions of dollars that can be applied to various phases of pilot training. Please check carefully for eligibility and deadlines and remember these important tips:
View the scholarship listings at www.FlightTrainingCentral.com/Scholarships.
What’s the right pilot certificate: Sport, Recreational or Private Pilot?
When you start flying, you may be presented the choice of pursuing your Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot or Private Pilot certificate. Understanding the differences between them will help you to choose the path that is best for you.
You may be presented the choice of pursuing your Sport Pilot, Recreational Pilot or Private Pilot certificate.
Sport Pilot – The Sport Pilot certificate allows you to earn your pilot’s license in as little as 20 hours of training, and does not require a medical certificate (see above); however, a sport pilot must hold at least a current driver’s license. In practice, most students will require more than the minimum flight training experience. You are limited to flying airplanes with a maximum of 4 seats and that won’t stop flying until slowed to 59 nautical miles per hour (knots) or less in their normal flying configuration. The FAA calls this the clean stalling speed which you will learn more about during your training. Most local flight schools have aircraft that meet the Sport Pilot criteria, but not all flight schools will teach to the Sport Pilot standards. Reach out and find out. As a Sport Pilot, you will be able to fly a Sport Pilot eligible airplane in good weather with a maximum of one passenger. If you decide that you would like to fly at night, you will need to get additional training and you will need a 3rd class medical certificate.
Recreational Pilot – Another great option for new pilots to get in the air quickly is the Recreational Pilot Certificate, which requires a minimum of 30 hours of flying. While 30 hours is the minimum, similar to Sport training, in practice, pilots will typically take closer to 40 hours of training to obtain the required level of safety and proficiency.
The Recreational certificate allows you to carry a passenger during the day in good weather, and in aircraft with up to four seats and up to a 180-horsepower engine (a Cessna Skyhawk or Piper Cherokee, for example). This is perfect for local flights with family or friends, and will get you into the air quickly. You can also add additional privileges or transition to the Private Pilot certificate when you’re ready–you’ll just do some additional training with an instructor on cross-country, night flying and/or in airspace requiring communication with Air Traffic Control.
Private Pilot – The Private Pilot certificate has been around the longest, and is often what people mean when they say they “got their license.” There are fewer restrictions on the type of airplane you can fly and the places you can fly to, and there are plenty of options for add-on privileges, like Instrument and Multi-Engine ratings. The minimum training time is 40 hours–at least 20 with an instructor and 10 solo–but most students take 60-80 hours. This training time may also vary depending on the rules under which the flight school operates. You may hear terms such as training under Part 61 vs. Part 141 – read about the differences here.
For all three of these certificates, you’ll be required to complete ground training (which can be largely accomplished online), a written exam and a flight test. Only the Recreational and Private certificates will require that you earn a medical certificate, but read why that’s not a big deal.
Also remember that you can change your mind as you train. For example, Sport Pilot training time will count towards a Recreational or Private license. It’s also worth noting, that every pilot has to solo (fly the airplane by themself) as a first step so there is no need to make a decision quickly. The most important first step, take an introductory or discovery flight at your local airport!
How to get a Student Pilot Certificate
You will need a Student Pilot Certificate before your first solo; that momentous occasion when your instructor has enough confidence in your ability to depart the airplane and send you off by yourself. When training under the general rules for flight training, you can obtain the certificate at any time prior to the solo.
You will need a Student Pilot Certificate before your first solo.
To obtain your Student Pilot Certificate, you must complete an application through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) website. As part of the registration process, you’ll obtain a unique FAA tracking number or FTN. A flight instructor, or other authorized individual, will verify your identify before your application can be completed and submitted. Once the application is submitted, the student pilot certificate will be mailed to the address provided by you on the application within a few weeks, but will be available to download from IACRA within a few days.
Your Guide to the FAA Medical Certificate and Alternatives
The pursuit of most pilot certificates will require you to obtain and hold an FAA Medical Certificate.
The pursuit of most pilot certificates will require you to obtain and hold an FAA Medical Certificate prior to flying solo.
If you are pursuing a Sport Pilot Certificate and will only be flying solo in a Sport eligible airplane, you may be able to use your valid driver’s license as a testament to your acceptable health. To exercise the option of using your driver’s license in place an FAA Medical Certificate, you must not have failed your most recent attempt at an FAA Medical Certificate or be under a medical suspension. If you have never attempted to obtain an FAA Medical Certificate or you allowed your most recent medical to expire, the valid driver’s license may be an option for you.
If you are learning to fly in a glider, motorglider, or balloon, you will not need a medical. You will simply need to be able to attest to the fact that you do not have any medical conditions that would preclude your safe operation of the aircraft in solo flight.
FAA Medical Certificate’s are issued by an FAA Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). AME’s are physicians with a special interest in aviation safety and have training in aviation medicine.
If you have any condition that may be medically disqualifying or could slow your medical approval, do not visit your AME before meeting with and discussing your options with a knowledgeable instructor. Alternatively, you can contact a resource like the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) to discuss your situation. They have experts available to help find your best route for success in the medical certification process.
Some conditions that can be disqualifying or could slow your medical approval include but are not limited to:
If you would like further information on potentially disqualifying conditions, the standards for medical certification are contained in Title 14 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 67. If 14 CFR Part 67 indicates that a condition will not allow you to obtain a medical certificate, all hope is not lost. There may be an option to obtain a special issuance medical certificate or obtain a medical with certain operating limitations. Discuss this with one of the previously mentioned sources before pushing forward with your examination.
If you are in good health and ready to obtain your FAA Medical Certificate, find an AME, schedule an appointment, and fill out your application on MedXPress before going to see the doctor. Be truthful on this application, especially in the area of alcohol related driving offenses. The FAA can and will check your answers against the National Driver Register database. Falsification of facts can lead to fines and revocation of certificates.
You can find an AME using the FAA’s database found at https://www.faa.gov/pilots/amelocator/.
At some point in the process, you will be asked about the “Class” of medical you would like to apply for. We will review the classes in a moment but you should plan to obtain the class of medical certificate required, for the certificate level you ultimately want. This will tell you if you are medically qualified for that certificate. Finding this out now is better than waiting until you have already spent thousands of dollars on training for a certificate that you ultimately may not be able to use.
A 1st Class medical is required when flight operations require an Air Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate. An ATP is required to act as the Pilot in Command (PIC) or Captain of a scheduled airliner.
A 2nd Class medical is required when flight operations require a Commercial Pilot certificate. A Commercial certificate is required essentially to get paid to be a pilot.
A 3rd Class medical is required for all other flight operations that require an FAA Medical Certificate. This includes Student Pilots pursuing a Recreational or Private certificate, Recreational and Private pilots, and most Flight Instructors.
For operations as a Student, Recreational, or Private Pilot, all classes of medical certificates are valid for 60 calendar months if you obtained the certificate prior to your 40th birthday. If you obtained the medical on or after your 40th birthday, the certificate is valid for only 24 calendar months.
More detailed information about FAA Medical Certificate expirations can be found in the table below from the FAA via 14 CFR Part 61:
If you hold
And on the date of examination for your most recent medical certificate you were
And you are conducting an operation requiring
Then your medical certificate expires, for that operation, at the end of the last day of the
(1) A first-class medical certificate
(i) Under age 40
an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, or for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots
12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(ii) Age 40 or older
an airline transport pilot certificate for pilot-in-command privileges, for second-in-command privileges in a flag or supplemental operation in part 121 requiring three or more pilots, or for a pilot flightcrew member in part 121 operations who has reached his or her 60th birthday.
6th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(iii) Any age
a commercial pilot certificate (other than a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating when conducting flight training), a flight engineer certificate, or an air traffic control tower operator certificate
12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(iv) Under age 40
a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification)
60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(v) Age 40 or older
a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification)
24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(2) A second-class medical certificate
(i) Any age
an airline transport pilot certificate for second-in-command privileges (other than the operations specified in paragraph (d)(1) of this section), a commercial pilot certificate (other than a commercial pilot certificate with a balloon rating when conducting flight training), a flight engineer certificate, or an air traffic control tower operator certificate
12th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(ii) Under age 40
a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification)
60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(iii) Age 40 or older
a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification)
24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(3) A third-class medical certificate
(i) Under age 40
a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification)
60th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
(ii) Age 40 or older
a recreational pilot certificate, a private pilot certificate, a flight instructor certificate (when acting as pilot in command or a required pilot flight crewmember in operations other than glider or balloon), a student pilot certificate, or a sport pilot certificate (when not using a U.S. driver’s license as medical qualification)
24th month after the month of the date of examination shown on the medical certificate.
How do I choose a flight school?
Finding a flight school is the first step towards earning your license. So how to find one? Our flight school search tool is a good place to start—it shows nearly 1,000 flight school locations in the US. You can also do a basic search at your favorite internet search engine, or ask other pilots for recommendations.
Once you’ve located some schools, choosing the right one is one of the most important choices you’ll make in training. More than anything, a flight school needs to be a good fit for you–your schedule, your goals and your personality.
Visit flight schools near you. Meet with the staff and tour the facilities and airplanes. Ask any questions you may have about the flight training process, flight school policies, scheduling, rates and instructors. Your personal opinion counts here. Do the airplanes look clean and well-maintained? Are the instructors friendly and helpful? What is your general feeling about the school as a whole? Details matter and typically, if a flight school cares about the details, you’re in for a good experience.
Personal referrals are always a good option. Consider if you are connected to someone who has trained at a specific school and would be willing to recommend the school and/or an instructor.
Flight schools vary from large training facilities to one airplane flight schools with part time instructors. But bigger doesn’t always mean better, so look for some signs of a well-run flight school:
You can also train with an independent instructor, outside of a formal flight school. This can be a good option if the instructor is someone you know and respect and whose schedule fits yours. But make sure to ask about access to an aircraft—if you’re constantly canceling lessons because you can’t rent an airplane, you’ll soon get frustrated.
How do I choose a flight instructor?
Spend some time to find the right flight instructor who will have the greatest influence in your success.
Even after choosing the perfect flight school, spend some time to find the right flight instructor who will have the greatest influence in your success. He or she will be a key element in your training and how much enjoyment you get out of flying. While all flight instructors are certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and meet minimum standards, your personality and attitude will naturally be a better fit with some instructors than others. Just like you “interviewed” the flight school, sit down with a prospective instructor and get to know them. Talk about your reasons for learning to fly, your goals and your questions. Ask about the instructor’s background, their previous students and what training curriculum they’ll use. And as always, judge whether your personalities will be a good match. Your gut feel is usually more important than the age or experience of an instructor. In most situations, you’ll forge a lifetime relationship with your instructor.
It’s important to ensure you’ll be able to maintain open and clear communication and that expectations for both you and the instructor are well known and that you will have an active voice in the process.
Also keep in mind that, at most flight schools, you can change flight instructors if the relationship simply isn’t working well. Personal referrals also go a long way. If you have a connection to someone who has trained at a particular school, find out more about the instructor and why that person connected.
Your first flight lesson – a video preview
Getting into the air and taking your first flight is the most important—and most enjoyable—step you can take in your journey. There’s nothing like your first takeoff in an airplane to show you the fun and freedom of flying. If you’re on the fence about learning to fly, go take a first lesson!
For your first flight, you and your instructor will probably spend about an hour together. You’ll do a pre-flight inspection of the airplane, talk about some basic concepts and then go flying. You’ll most likely sit in the left seat, with your hands on the controls—you are flying!
The instructor will show you a normal takeoff, basic maneuvers (straight-and-level flight, turns, descents, etc.) and a normal landing. When you land, your instructor will make your first logbook entry. You’re now on your way to becoming a pilot.
It’s Learn to Fly Week at Sporty’s and Flight Training Central
/in Getting Started, News/by Flight Training Central StaffFree resources, original content, and special offers throughout the week
Learn to Fly Week at Sporty’s.
May 9 – 18, 2026 is Learn to Fly Week at Sporty’s, a celebration of learning to fly designed to help new pilots achieve their aviation goals. In addition to offering savings on popular pilot gear and training resources, Sporty’s will be posting inspiring content on its social media channels, and delivering valuable flight training resources at FlightTrainingCentral.com.
Limited time Learn to Fly Week specials will be available on a variety of products, including Sporty’s award-winning Learn to Fly Course. Pilots will also be able to save on flight bags and other equipment to support the flight training process. All pilots can improve in a variety of areas with the Airmanship 2.0 audio course from PilotWorkshops, available free.
Additionally, Sporty’s is teaming up with EAA to offer two live webinar presentations:
Sporty’s Learn to Fly Week runs from May 8 through May 18. Shop all Learn to Fly Week specials here.
Airplane aerodynamics: Why do airplanes want to turn to the left?
/in Video Tips/by Bret KoebbeAirplanes always seem to want to turn left, especially in a climb. But why does this happen? In this three-minute video tip, we dive into the physics in a way that makes sense for pilots. 3D animations and in-flight video show the effects of P-factor, gyroscopic precession and spiraling slipstream.
The video clip below is from Sporty’s Learn to Fly Course.
CFI Renewal Requirements Explained (FIRC, IACRA, and 61.197 Tips)
/in Tips and technique/by Paul JurgensSomewhat like our pilot certificates, which require a flight review in order to exercise our privileges, our flight instructor certificates are subject to a 24-calendar month recent experience requirement. A big difference is that completing a successful flight review will allow you to continue or return to flying even if a number of years have passed. If you let the recent experience on your flight instructor certificate lapse for too long, you will need a practical exam to reinstate your instructing privileges. There are several ways to maintain the recent experience on your CFI certificate as described in the regulations. Remembering the nuances of each method can be a chore since we only do it every two years. Here are more than a dozen tips for making it a smooth experience.
In this Article:
Keeping Your REED Month
Ways to Renew Your CFI
FIRC Tips for a Smooth Process
Special Notes for Sport CFIs
Keeping Your Same Recent Experience End Date Month
Most of us are creatures of habit. We like to keep things as close to the same as possible even though things are changing. In order to keep the same recent experience end date (REED) month, there are a few things that you need to watch out for. If you are unsure of your REED, login to IACRA and go to your console to find your REED on the Airman Certificate tab of your Airman Information, or look yourself up on the Airmen Registry and find it there.
What is REED?
Your Recent Experience End Date is the month your CFI privileges expire—the last day of that month.
14 CFR 61.197(a)(3) explains that you can keep your same REED month as long as you complete the recent experience process within 3-calendar months of your current REED. If you use a Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC) to establish your recent experience, there is an additional requirement that the graduation certificate must be dated within 3-calendar months of the REED.
Reinstatement of your privileges using a FIRC under 14 CFR 61.199(a)(1) within 3-calendar months after your current REED, will also keep the same REED month for the future. The FIRC graduation certificate needs to be dated within 3-calendar months of when you submit your reinstatement application. Your flight instructor privileges are not valid after your REED until you submit your application and it is processed by your certifying official (DPE, ACR, FAA Inspector, etc.)
What gets confusing is how to calculate the 3-calendar months in these situations. The simple way to look at it is that you get 3 full months plus whatever partial month you have left over in the current month when before your REED. In other words, if you have a September REED, your CFI privileges expire on September 30th. September, August, and July are your full months. As long as you establish recent experience after June 1st, you get whatever is left of June as kind of a bonus time period. If you are using the FIRC method to establish your recent experience, ensure that you slow your progress (online) and finish the course after June 1st so that your graduation certificate is also within 3 calendar months. If attending a live, in-person FIRC, attend one after June 1st but before September 30th.
When looking at a reinstatement, the 3-calendar months for reinstating with a FIRC are the 3 full months immediately following your end date. If your REED is September 30th, you have October, November, and December to submit your application with your FIRC graduation certification and have the application processed by a certifying official.
Tips #1 & #2, to keep your same expiration month, calculate your 3-calendar month window and plan to submit or complete your recent experience validation within this window. If using a FIRC for establishing recent experience, also ensure that you complete the FIRC inside this window. If you are submitting your application after only 12-calendar months for some reason, doing it in the same month as your REED is the only way to keep that month.
Use this window allowed by the regulation to take care of things in relaxed manner. Don’t wait until the last week of the last month to scramble to get it done. Poor planning as an instructor should not constitute an emergency for someone else.
June | July | August | September (REED)
← Eligible window →
Ways to Validate Your Recent Experience
One way to establish recent experience is based upon taking and passing a practical exam or checkride for a CFI rating with your local DPE or FAA Inspector. This practical can be for a rating that you already have or it can be for a CFI rating that you would like to add. Tip #3 will likely work best for CFIs that are newer in their career. Establishing recent experience in this manner can be an opportunity to expand your earning potential by adding a CFI Instrument rating or a new category or class rating to your certificate. Depending on the addition, you may need to complete a knowledge exam and you will need another instructor’s signoff to take the practical. As a bonus, this type of validation also counts as a flight review.
If you are an active CFI whose students have an 80% 1st attempt pass rate, validating recent experience based on your activity can be one of the simplest and smoothest ways to validate. You will need to have signed off at least 5 applicants for a certificate or rating practical test and they will need to have attained the aforementioned pass rate. Tip #4 is to submit your IACRA application with this type of record to your local FSDO or an approved DPE and establish your recent experience quickly and easily.
You may also establish your recent experience as an active participant and instructor in an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program, commonly known as WINGS. Personally, you must have completed a phase of WINGS within the preceding 12-calendar months. As an instructor, you must have conducted at least 15 WINGS flight activities, during which you must have evaluated at least 5 different pilots and made the necessary endorsements in the logbooks of each pilot for each activity. Tip #5 is to submit your IACRA application along with your WINGS activity records to your local FSDO or an approved DPE to establish your recent experience using this method.
I won’t count this one as a tip since it doesn’t apply to a lot of instructors but instructors who have served as a company check pilot, chief flight instructor, company check airman, a flight instructor in a part 121 or 135 operation, or in a position involving the regular evaluation of pilots, may be able to validate recent experience based upon their duties and responsibilities. Flight instructors that also instruct in the military, may validate recent experience based upon passing certain proficiency checks there.
The primary way that less active instructors will establish their recent experience is by graduating from a flight instructor refresher course or FIRC. The remaining tips will relate to this method.
A Smooth FIRC-Based Validation
Many of these tips only apply to an online recent experience validation service. You will likely be meeting directly with the FIRC’s Airman Certification Representative (ACR) during an in-person FIRC or a local DPE or FAA inspector for an in-person validation. Some will still apply regardless of who processes your application.
Tip #6 applies to and will be appreciated by anyone completing the validation for you. Be sure to fill out IACRA completely and submit the application prior to meeting with or submitting your documents to an ACR or other approved authority. While many FIRC providers offer a “paperless” validation service, there is no legal way that I am aware of, for them to login to your account and fill out the online application for you. They can only review your submitted application, enter your identification and graduation information, and approve the application. If a company or an individual is asking for your login details, turn around and walk away! By submitting the application yourself, you are signing it to attest to its validity and your eligibility. If you are having difficulty getting to the “signing” step, ensure that pop-ups are not blocked by your browser for the IACRA website.
While you are filling out IACRA, I would suggest following Tip #7. Sign the Pilot’s Bill of Rights (PBR). All that you are saying is that you have received the information within the PBR and that you understand that the FAA will be “investigating” the information that you have submitted prior to issuing your new REED. They are going to review and investigate your record regardless. If you don’t sign it, the ACR will sign it on your behalf to ensure the FAA that you have seen the PBR. He or she may also need to follow up with you about it to ensure that you have seen the PBR. Failing to sign it yourself, just slows the process a bit.
Tip #8, use a common form of identification that is acceptable to the FAA when submitting your documents for validation. The most common forms are a valid driver’s license or a valid passport or passport card. Obscure forms of identification require the ACR to chase down their validity which also slows the process. If you use BasicMed for your medical, a driver’s license is your best option because IACRA reminds the ACR to confirm that you have a valid driver’s license.
Speaking of your identification, Tip #9, ensure that it has a valid identification number on the front of the id or submit both sides of the id. U.S. military ids are a common and acceptable form of validation identification for those in the military. The problem is that the identification number that is needed for IACRA is on the back and the expiration date is on the front. You need to submit both sides.
When you submit your CFI certificate, Tip #10 is to be sure to submit both sides of this certificate as well. The front side allows the ACR to confirm that the citizenship on your certificate matches your application. The back side of the certificate allows the ACR to verify your ratings and limitations.
Tip #11, be sure that the identification and certificate documents or images that you submit are clear and readable but not such a large size that they cause upload or email problems. Compressing them too much causes them to blur. Using flash may make important information unreadable. Good lighting without the flash works best.
Tip #12 applies to applicants that do not have a U.S. mailing address. If this applies to you, you must follow 14 CFR Part 3 Subpart C and designate a U.S. Agent for Service. Utilize the FAA’s https://usas.faa.gov/ to notify them of your designated agent and save a copy of your notification confirmation to supply to your ACR during the validation process.
The last two tips for this section apply to Sporty’s eFIRC but may also apply to others.
When uploading your documents to the Sporty’s Paperless Validation server, there is a place to enter your phone number. Tip #13 is to be sure to fill this out with a number where you can be reached if there is a problem with your validation. This number does not go to any marketing types. If you follow all of the tips in this post, you most likely won’t get a call. It is only there in case there is a problem with your validation and the ACR or customer service associate cannot reach you by email. You won’t get other calls!
Tip #14 is a bit of a bundle related to the graduation certificate issued by the Sporty’s eFIRC system. Regardless of who completes your validation, us or someone else, you do need to click the button that says Request Graduation Certificate. This does a number of things in the background to trigger the graduation process and gives you the opportunity to ensure that the name on your graduation certificate matches your CFI certificate and photo id. Before hitting the button, ensure that your course profile is correct (check the box for using for renewal/reinstating and REED still in the future or within 3-calendar months past) to ensure that the system will issue you a graduation certificate and not a completion certificate. You cannot use a completion certificate for a validation without help from our customer service crew. It is quicker and easier to check your profile before clicking the button.
Differences for Sport Instructors
61.425 talks about establishing recent experience for a Sport Instructor certificate. It simply refers you to the provisions of §61.197 for the requirements so that part isn’t any different. What does change for Sport Instructors is the version of the 8710 form that the FAA uses and the path within IACRA.
For Sport Instructor validations, IACRA uses a different version of its software. It doesn’t look the same and it doesn’t act the same. One of the big differences operationally is that you won’t be able to sign the application before submitting it to the ACR. After the ACR fills in a few things on their end, they will contact you and ask you to login to IACRA and sign the application. After you sign it, the ACR will be able to go back into the application finish a few more items and sign it as well. It takes a bit longer but it can still be completed as a paperless validation.
Final Thoughts
There are a number of ways to validate the recent experience for your CFI certificate. Online and in-person FIRCs are a convenient option for many CFIs. The FAA is very prescriptive on what these must contain and who can process your validation once you have graduated. Here’s hoping that a little preparation and planning will go a long way toward making this process a smooth one for you!
Fly and stay safe!
Important Links
Sporty’s eFIRC
FAA’s Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA)
FAA Form 8710-1
FAA Form 8710-11 (Sport)
61.197
61.425