[quote=Z_Pilot;617924]Don't know much about the reinstatement-ride, but I tell you what, if you're taking a check-ride, you sure as hell can pink slip it....

that's why I'm a bit hesitant, haven't flown a light piston in 10 years. as for the manuevers, don't even how to start'em.

[quote=UCLAbruins;654633]CFI renewals at this stage should be a formality,

[quote=slipped;655941]
While I agree, going into it with that mentality could come back to bite you in the a$$. It's better to over prepare than vise versa.

Pink Slip?
 

[QUOTE=UCLAbruins;654633]If you fail the ride just take it again. It is not the end.

Skyhigh

[QUOTE=SkyHigh;746952]If you need to re-instate your CFI in order to get a job, ok fine.

But if you are just re-instating it to have it in your hip pocket, keep in mind that due to colgan and the subsequent scrutiny of pilot training issues airlines might be very leery of pink slips, especially recent ones. I would not want to explain such a recent failure at an airline interview.

Yea
 

[QUOTE=rickair7777;746979]I suppose that is true... Better not flunk.

Skyhigh

Someone who is a current airline type and wants to reinstate instructor privileges might have an easier time with a CFII ride than a VFR CFI ride. Is this an option, or can any maneuver from either ride, VFR or IFR, be required if you have both the CFI and CFII?

Joe

if you have cfi, cfii, mei, you can pick the checkride. either will count.

American Flyers CFI Renew for life?
 

Anyone know if American Flyers still offers the pay once, renew for life with their online CFI renewal? I don't see it offered on the web site. I used the Gleim online course on my last renewal, it was OK. The worst CFI renewal I've used is the Aviation Seminars two day class. There was NO useful information during the entire 16 hours. They spent two hours on how to fill out an 8710. I'd rather eat a bug then go back to that class!

Trilika: below is a paste from their website:

Renew your FIRC-Flight Instructor Renewal online. $125 pay once, renew your FIRC forever. FAA Approved: Electronic version of FIRC seminar used for nearly 10 years.

Thanks all for the good info.
I've been doing the 2-day class renewal for the last 12 years and I'm finally fed up with the waste of time. I'll be trying the online course this year. I just have one question: someone stated that the AOPA course lets you renew within 4 months of the expiration and keep the original expiration month on your certificate. Is that the same for the American Flyers course? Can I take the course in Feb and keep the original April exp. date?

If you complete the course within three calendar months of your expiration date you can keep your original expiration month. I renewed with Gleim last time. I started the course about seven months early because my job then involved a lot of waiting. I did all the course except the last module, I waited to start the last module until it was within three months of my expiration date. The date on the certificate will be the date you finish the last module.

Thanks Tralika. Is there anyone who has done the same with American Flyers and knows first-hand that that's the case with them too?

renewed and the FSDO quick and easy
 

In short I would call your local FSDO and see what they say. I am a Capt for a regional airline. I have an AmFlyers account from years ago, it is now my back up plan. The last 2 times i have renewed at the ORD FSDO. They have had no issues renewing based on my CA status. This year I have been flying a lot and realized yesterday that my certificate expired at the end of the month. Since I had a long overnight in LEX today, I thought I would give a try to the FSDO's in the area. I called SDF and the inspector was very nice but after reading me the reg asked how I qualified since I am neither a 121 checkairman or an instructor. I didn't have the reg and was a bit off guard so he took my name and number and said he would look into it further. I then called CVG. I talked to Dave and he was very helpful, even said that his job was to be there for us the pilots. He didn't know if anyone was going to be in the office but he would call me back if he could find someone. He did and set me up with Mike a few minutes later. Since I had to drive, I made an afternoon appointment and was in and out in 20 min. The SDF inspector did call back and explained that he would be comfortable renewing it if I could show in my company manuals if there was something that specifically mentioned "regular evaluation" of other crew. Since I had things lined up in CVG I told him I thought so, but would call him if I could find it. So, you see always give them a call. Worst they can say is 'No' and then you can go the online route.

My license expires Sunday and my paperwork gets to the American Flyers on Sunday, anyone know if the FSDO will be open then?

before reading this I intended using American Flyers based on recommendations from co-workers, sounds like that is still the place to go online. For all the active military IPs out there, don't forget the option to renew your CFI with your annual military IP checkride letter. Reference is 61.197. and yes, I agree, always call the FSDO to work out the details before showing up, makes the process much easier when everyone is on the same page.

If you evaluate/monitor pilot performance as a CFI and can provide documentation of it. Fill out an 8710, make an appointment with the FSDO, and get your temp cert.

If you can't American Flyers is the cheapest long term way to go. The fee you pay now lets you sign on every two years to renew.

You used to be able to renew based on the Wings program and attending one workshop per quarter for two years. I'm not sure they will keep this up. Online renewal sounds easier to me.

Resources - Notices - FAA - FAASTeam - FAASafety.gov

The AF course now allows you to download PDF files, so you don't have to refresh the page. Just download a PDF, come back in 2 hours, take the quiz and repeat.

Has American Flyers changed?
I have always done Gleim because I can sit down in one day and knock it out with no specific time constraints. I have heard that American flyers has changed in that once you log in it will continue to tick down even without a key stroke. Does anyone know if this is true? It is the 13th of the month my CFI expires. I know it will not be a problem to get it done with Gleim but curious about AF.

Jeppesen
 

The Jeppesen CFI renewal has no time allowances at all. If you want to blast through the material and hit the exams you can be done in no time so long as you pass the exam at the end of each section.

If you are looking to save time and money I would consider the Jeppesen/AOPA deal.

Skyhigh

Has anybody used American Flyers lately for their CFI renewal that can give me some gouge? I know that you must be logged online for the full 16 hours and cannot download any of the material to study offline.

Wondering if it allows you to have more than one window open at a time to help while taking the quizes? ;)

Ive been using American Flyers for the past 2 renewal.

If I remember correctly there are 8 modules. Each conists of reading materials and requires you to take a test at the end. There are 2 versions of the test (A and B). You can fail once and re-take. If you fail the second time you would have to contact AF and have them reset the test...not a big deal.

Not quite sure about having to log online for 16 hrs...i didnt. I went on whenever I had time, breeze through the reading materials and took the test. I think the entire renewal took me approx 3 hrs.

I'm working on the American Flyers renewal right now for the first time using it. There are 17 modules. It's intended for 16 hours but I don't see any notice that they track your usage to make sure you reach that mark. They do allow multiple windows.

I concur. I finished American Flyers recently and didn't notice any time tracker, etc. However, it took me quite a while to finish all the material. But I still think it's a great deal (not too hard, not expensive, etc).

A lot of comment on American Flyers. Anyone renewed with AOPA's eFIRC recently?

I usually use the AOPA/Jepp FIRC. I don't live near a FSDO, and the entire renewal is done online. No paperwork to send. Nowhere to go. Very easy, but must pay each time unlike the AF FIRC.

I also reccomend Gleim. I believe it's $99. I know American flyers has a program where you pay once for a lifetime (or at least used to have it) but Gleim is super easy and quick. I think I finish the whole course in less than 3 hrs each time online. There is an option to electronically file but if you are close to a FSDO just print out an 8710 and make an appointment. It's free and quick.

With the AF renewal, can I submit my paperwork online so I don't have to go to the local fsdo?