CFI Reinstated?
#11
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2006
Position: B-737NG preferably in first class with a glass of champagne and caviar
Posts: 5,911
This is the route I would pursue. Except it doesn't have to be the "highest" level of privileges. You can take the check for any ONE of the ratings that's on your expired certificate, and ALL will be reinstated (14 CFR 61.199(a)(1)). When I let mine lapse a number of years ago, I elected to take just the CFI-A check, and my CFI-I and MEI were also reinstated.
And, while FAA inspectors can renew a CFI for a current 121/135 captain based on "duties and responsibilities" (see AC 61-65H for the full list of qualifying roles), unfortunately that provision does not apply to reinstatement.
And, while FAA inspectors can renew a CFI for a current 121/135 captain based on "duties and responsibilities" (see AC 61-65H for the full list of qualifying roles), unfortunately that provision does not apply to reinstatement.
A couple of individuals in your same situation, who used a flight school for the reinstatement process. You are correct, by the way... they did it in a single and all privileges were re-instated.
#12
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,267
i know not everyone has the same experience, but I had to do a reinstatement. The entire process took about 3 hours... and that includes going out to eat with the examiner and his previous student. The actual flight was about .4 on the Hobbs.
#13
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Jun 2010
Position: Schempp-Hirth
Posts: 417
If it has expired you are F’d. It requires you doing the entire CFI checkride again. The 3-5 hour oral, then the flying portion. All of it.
There is a reason there are so many companies, out there, that offer FIRCs lol. Even if you never planned to teach again in your life, once you have it, always keep it current every 2 years with a Flight Instructor Refresher Course.
Your only saving grace may be this. I’ve been told sometimes if you are an active 121 Captain, you can forgo FIRCs altogether and (assuming your cool with someone at the local FSDO) you can get it renewed just by visiting them. After all, 121 CA is a leadership and teaching/developing role with your FO and crew etc.
It may be a “gray area” with the Feds, but I have a buddy in town who visits the FSDO every 2 years and that’s how he renews his. I must point out, he never let his expire.
I think even as a 121 CA, if it’s expired your probably screwed. Good luck and let us know what happens!
There is a reason there are so many companies, out there, that offer FIRCs lol. Even if you never planned to teach again in your life, once you have it, always keep it current every 2 years with a Flight Instructor Refresher Course.
Your only saving grace may be this. I’ve been told sometimes if you are an active 121 Captain, you can forgo FIRCs altogether and (assuming your cool with someone at the local FSDO) you can get it renewed just by visiting them. After all, 121 CA is a leadership and teaching/developing role with your FO and crew etc.
It may be a “gray area” with the Feds, but I have a buddy in town who visits the FSDO every 2 years and that’s how he renews his. I must point out, he never let his expire.
I think even as a 121 CA, if it’s expired your probably screwed. Good luck and let us know what happens!
Yes, if your CFI has expired you will need to take a checkride. No, it does not have to be the entire PTS / ACS, it is at the discrestion of the examiner. Adding priveledges to your Certificate will reinstate all previously held priveledges.
Renewal based on the responsibilities of a Part 121 captain is at the discrestion of the FSDO. FIRCs are the easiest way to get it done.
#14
This is the route I would pursue. Except it doesn't have to be the "highest" level of privileges. You can take the check for any ONE of the ratings that's on your expired certificate, and ALL will be reinstated (14 CFR 61.199(a)(1)). When I let mine lapse a number of years ago, I elected to take just the CFI-A check, and my CFI-I and MEI were also reinstated.
Although if you're planing on teaching someone to fly, the CFI-A would probably be most useful to you, although that's a more involved ride.
#15
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Apr 2007
Posts: 441
I did a CFII check ride for my reinstatement with a DPE. The oral was about an hour and consisted of going over endorsements and changes to the regulations. The flight was .8 and I did a stall, an ILS to a miss, and a Localizer to a circle to land. All while explaining to the “student” what I was doing and why. Doing that ride also reinstated my CFIA, my CFIH, and my CFIME.
#16
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Joined APC: Dec 2005
Position: 7ER B...whatever that means.
Posts: 3,966
I had an FAA guy in my jumpseat who offered to renew mine no questions asked. Previously I used American Flyers, it was $99 for unlimited renewals. I had kept mine updated for almost 15 years that way. If you let it expire you must redo a checkride. Nope, not doing that again!
It's so simple to renew, a few hours every other year, JUST DO IT!
It's so simple to renew, a few hours every other year, JUST DO IT!
As for my own experience, I let my CFI lapse years ago. I did the FIRCs for years until one day realizing that if things were so bad in this industry that my only choice was to go teach stalls and turns around a point again, that I would probably just get out of aviation, at least temporarily. About the only thing that would make me want to go get reinstated would be if my kids decided they wanted to learn to fly.
#17
I gotta wonder what the resistance is on here from some about taking a checkride. We take checkrides all the time in this business that are far more complex than those in the GA world. So what's the hullabaloo about a CFI or CFII?
As for my own experience, I let my CFI lapse years ago. I did the FIRCs for years until one day realizing that if things were so bad in this industry that my only choice was to go teach stalls and turns around a point again, that I would probably just get out of aviation, at least temporarily. About the only thing that would make me want to go get reinstated would be if my kids decided they wanted to learn to fly.
As for my own experience, I let my CFI lapse years ago. I did the FIRCs for years until one day realizing that if things were so bad in this industry that my only choice was to go teach stalls and turns around a point again, that I would probably just get out of aviation, at least temporarily. About the only thing that would make me want to go get reinstated would be if my kids decided they wanted to learn to fly.
That said most of us should be able to get the right prep and identify the right examiner, although some FSDO's may not always defer to a DPE, so you might get a fed.
#18
Gets Weekends Off
Joined APC: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,093
I gotta wonder what the resistance is on here from some about taking a checkride. We take checkrides all the time in this business that are far more complex than those in the GA world. So what's the hullabaloo about a CFI or CFII?
As for my own experience, I let my CFI lapse years ago. I did the FIRCs for years until one day realizing that if things were so bad in this industry that my only choice was to go teach stalls and turns around a point again, that I would probably just get out of aviation, at least temporarily. About the only thing that would make me want to go get reinstated would be if my kids decided they wanted to learn to fly.
As for my own experience, I let my CFI lapse years ago. I did the FIRCs for years until one day realizing that if things were so bad in this industry that my only choice was to go teach stalls and turns around a point again, that I would probably just get out of aviation, at least temporarily. About the only thing that would make me want to go get reinstated would be if my kids decided they wanted to learn to fly.
#19
sippin' dat koolaid
Joined APC: Jun 2013
Position: gear slinger
Posts: 982
https://www.flyingmag.com/faa-commit...ilot-examiners
#20
That's a good point. Off the top of my head, I think you need a medical to take any checkride. Although a CFI can teach without a medical as long as the student is qualified to be PIC.
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