I received my CFI certificate recently, and I was wondering what were the chances of being able to get my dad current again.

My dad had a PPL back in the mid 70's, but it has been well over 25 years since he last touched an airplane. He claims to still have his certificate and log book. From my understanding of the FAR's, certificates never expire so would I theoretically just need to give my dad a flight review and he would be current again?

Common sense would dictate that I give him more instruction which I intend to do, but for the purposes of getting him current again what would I need to do?

Have a look at AC 61-98A on how to conduct BFRs, if you aren't already familar with it.

Looking for the above I came across this nice FAA slide show on the subject.

AOPA deals with getting back into flying here. (You may need a membership to see it.)

After you decide what topics to cover based on what he plans to do with an airplane, you must get him up to speed on all or most of the basic manuevers so he has adequate control of the aircraft and a feeling for how it flies. The private pilot PTS is the reference of course and I would hold him to being able to do most or all of the manuevers to standard. You may save his life so don't take take an "I'm your dad" kind of attitude about from him on this. He should be able to nail the manuevers in the PTS, or he can go to someone else who will definitely insist on the same thing. Theoretically the number of hours for reaching the standard could be quite high. I would be suspicious of someone who says "I'll get them together on my own, just give me the signoff." Now is a good time to get them together. There is no provision for expired recency requirements that allows practice solo flight, so you should be along for all his practice until he is ready for the signoff. Hopefully that will only take a small number of flights, it may or may not.

Treat him like a new student pilot and it should go well.

I had a couple BFRs that were with pilots who hadn't flown in 10+ years. In both cases the biggest problems were the regs and the coms because so much has changed. The technology has changed a bunch too. Flying was kind of like riding a bicycle.

In all, both students were very receptive. We spent a lot of time working on regs. In both cases the time spent on the ground was nearly three times that of air work. Remember, even though it is your father, it's your certificate.

First he needs to renew his medical.....then while you're doing that, verify and get him a new plastic certificate. You can request a number change, because all old pre-2002(ish) were issued as your Social ####. While all this is in progress, you can still fly with him, as obviously he doesn't have to have any of the above in posession until he's signed off and acting as PIC. I'd definately hit up those links above too.

BTW, didn't your CFI course touch on this stuff? I find it boggling that you didn't get some insight on this.

Ref the SSN: The FAA started using the SSN for your certificate number sometime in the mid seventies or early eighties. He might have a PPL with the old numbering system.
Joe

I can bet airspace and regs in general will be a challenge. Depending on where you operate, you could easily get in trouble quick. All he has to do is successfully complete and demonstrate the ability to be PIC in all maneuvers/scenarios you (the flight instructor) require. Puts the onus on you. If he wants to fly around on a sunny Saturday, you aren't going to have all the advanced nav/instrument procedures. However, at the very least flying should include basic airwork (stalls, unusual attitudes, slowflight, etc.) takeoffs and landings, and perhaps a trip to a Class C and D airports. If you live near a smaller Bravo (like MEM) you can go there too.

Thanks guys. What about his old certificate? Can I just write in to Oklahoma and have one of the snazzy new plastic ones issued out, or will his old license (circa 1970~ish) be current again once a Bi flight review is conducted?

Go to www.FAA.gov and do it online for $2 on a credit card. You can also change the address there if he has moved since he got the certificate.

Joe

Certificates (with the exception of CFI) don't expire.

Mobius,

I was going to PM this to you, but I guess since I don't have many posts, I don't have access to the PM function.

Seeing the aircraft in your picture up there, I wanted to warn you to be very careful about doing any "outside instruction"... I've heard of people working for that particular organization being terminated for that before. Management has been rather trigger-happy lately, so if you're going to do it anyway, watch your 6.