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I need some opinions on how to keep my CFI from expiring in July. I am no longer an active flight instructor but would like to keep my CFI and I cannot remember all the ways to keep it current. Whatever is the most flexible would be the best for me.

I am a member of NAFI and always liked this article on their website:

[HTML]http://www.nafinet.org/tools/renew.html[/HTML]

This is probably your best option and is what I plan on doing when after I am hired by Horizon:

Quote:

5. Attend an industry-sponsored Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC; pronounced “ferk”). This is an excellent option for many Instructors, including those who wait until the last minute to renew! There are at least two ways to complete a FIRC:

A. Attend a FIRC in person, which requires some advance planning, or

B. Complete an on-line FIRC, which requires no advance planning. CFIs have the advantage of taking the training on a schedule that suits their needs. Several providers charge only a one-time fee for this service.

Isn't there a way to get a golden seal, by taking a written and turning in your checkride passes for the past year? I thought I remembered that being an option also.

I did the firc through American Flyers online course earlier this year and would recommend doing that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctd57 (Post 173065)

Once you upgrade, if you ask your company's POI very nicely they might just renew it for you (depends on the POI's interpretation of 61.197(a)(2)(ii)). If you become any type of instructor or check airman for your company, the POI will do it no question. (61.197(a)(2)(ii))

Take the weekend refresher course though AOPA, your local flight school, etc. (61.197(a)(2)(iii))

Take the online refresher course through AOPA, American Flyers, etc.(61.197(a)(2)(iii))

If you don't have it, get your CFII and/or MEI (61.197(a)(1)(ii)), or pass a practical test for one of the ratings listed on your current flight instuctor certificate (61.197((a)(1)(i)).

Go back to teaching and recommend at least five students for certificates or ratings (of which at least four must pass on the first try).(61.197(a)(2)(ii))

That's pretty much it, short of taking the checkride all over again.

American Flyers online FIRC. Easy to use, easy to renew. Just take your certificate down to the local FSDO after taking the course, and you'll have a brand new CFI certificate! I just did it. It worked great!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fartknocker (Post 173109)

As an added bonus, pay once for lifetime renewals.

I did the AOPA/Air safety foundation course. It was good...and boring. But it did the trick.

Thanks for the answers. I have til the end of July, so I have time to do something about it between trips.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ctd57 (Post 173079)

Isn't there a way to get a golden seal, by taking a written and turning in your checkride passes for the past year? I thought I remembered that being an option also.

To get the gold seal all you need to do is go down to the local fisdo with a new 8710 and bring proof of signing off more than ten applicants in 2 years for checkrides with 80% of them passing on the first attempt. You'll also need to have a Ground Instructor Certificate with an advanced rating or an Instrument rating.

Other than that theres no test or anything to take. Getting the gold seal would count as updating your Instructor Certificate.