cons

I've been using AF for quite some time now and have been happy with their FIRC. Their material is dry but you can get it done at your own pace. I haven't had to pay for a renewal in over a decade, which was the first time I used their service.

In the past, I've gone to my local FSDO to get the temporary certificate. Last year was the first time the fsdo stated that they don't provide that service anymore. I had to contact the DPE I've used for my students to get the final paperwork done and print me a temporary certificate. I'm not sure if this is something new for FSDOs throughout the country to put the responsibility on DPEs to issue the temporary certificates, or if this is because my local FSDO doesn't have the manpower to issue them.

I've never used AF's service to get the final paperwork done, but if it's only $25 then it's worth it now, especially if I don't have to inconvenience my DPE for it. Just make sure you don't wait until the last minute like I did to get it done. Give yourself a couple of months before your CFI is set to expire.

TommyDevito

Again, not true. Counter duty is being run remotely, and yes, they are still doing CFI FIRC renewals.

A friend of mine processed several during Tuesday during desk duty remotely.

TommyDevito

FSDO's have been understaffed with Ops Inspectors, so a few FSDO's have done what you describe. While I disagree with this, it is left up to the individual FSDO Managers.

565pilot

KRIC FSDO is on min staff and no appointments... Gleim will do ACR when you use their course $100. recommend calling to ensure all paperwork is done and saving copies of everything... it is the FAA

HumbleSiPilot77

Just finished the American Flyers FIRC with IACRA service. Total cost was $125 for me and it was a breeze. Had my browser read the material out loud while I worked on things in my office. I loved the content. Did the IACRA application, sent them the pics of my unexpired CFI cert and that was 3 days ago. No email with the temp cert yet. I wonder if they are slammed with renewals.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

SkylanePilot

I don’t need a renewal yet but I’m planning on AF for the lifetime setup.

tallpilot

I’ve tried pretty much all of them. Put up with the Jeppesen/ASF notary crap twice (they no longer require that), switched to King Schools with no timer (finished in less than a 6 pack!) but now they have one, so I tried AceCFI (they are slightly cheaper than AF). They all have timers now and will take most of the 16 hours. The only real difference left is cost.

As an aside, don’t be stupid and let the thing lapse over a hundred bucks and a weekend of mindless clicking.

tm602

By now the guy is done....this is a 2020 thread. BUT for those who are still looking, the only one I ever felt like I came through learning anything from was AceCfi.

QRH Bingo

I know this is an old(ish) thread but figured I would share my experience with Kings Schools, that I just completed, for anyone currently researching this topic. $100 which includes IACRA processing and the new cert mailed out to you. Also comes with a new TSA Security Cert. There is the mandatory 16hr timer that is broken up across the 15 modules ranging from 30min - 90min. You can just click through all the slides if you desire then comeback when the timer is up and complete the 10 question quiz. Most can be answered logically but a few were tricky with specific details that were in the previous slides. There is a big warning that you have to pass with 70%, if not you get a remedial retest and after that you're account is locked if failed again. Not sure what happens at that point? This was my first time using Kings so I'm unsure if it is only good for one go at it and have to pay again in 2 years but I suspect that is the case. Got it done in a few days over a couple long blocks of time but very easily could have it done in two weeks if you only did one module a day to spread it out.

SureJetStick

Just finished the Gleim course. I’ve used Gleim numerous times. $100 including processing. Received my temporary in a couple of days. Yeah it’s timed so that’s a pain. Just do something else for a few minutes until you get the minimum time to take the quiz.