Is it just me, or is this online training taking longer to complete each year? Seems like they keep adding content, but never removing any. I'm sure it's going to take me longer than 16 hours

I'm not an active CFI so I just want to do the bare minimum...if I end up teaching again, I'll do my homework at that time. I don't need to go the extra mile right now.

Is AF any quicker?

Honestly, I found AOPA's on-line renewal to be weak. I've taken the same on-line course twice, and it was exactly the same both times. I even went as far as to write them that I expected them to update the content as I felt I had learned nothing new.

I prefer American Flyers. I'm a lifetime member. After the first round, it's free forever. If you choose to have them take care of the logistics (certificate processing w/ the Feds), it is a $50 fee. Easy peasy my friend...

I was in a huge hurry to renew my CFI and just clicked through the AOPA/Jepp slides as fast as I could. Anyone using simple reasoning and aviation experience can pass those tests. I finished the whole course in about 2 hours.

FAA drives this, and pretty much makes it as hard as they like at the time the course is approved.

I thought I might try the "roadshow" approach next time around, I already used up adding more certificates as a way to get renewed. I think you can also attend various FAA meetings as another method.