Conducting an Effective Flight Review

Sep 24, 2026

A practical guide for general aviation pilots and certified flight instructors on conducting an effective FAA-required flight review. It explains the purpose and regulatory basis of the review, then walks through a structured process: preparation with aligned expectations, ground review covering regulatory, cross-country planning, weather decision-making, and risk management, followed by flight activities focused on basic skills, systems knowledge, and aeronautical decision-making. It concludes with debriefing and aeronautical health maintenance through personal minimums, proficiency practice, and training plans, supported by appendices and checklists.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages29

Reading Time1 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Step 1: Preparation

Managing Expectations

Assignments

Regulatory Review

Cross-Country Flight Plan

Step 2: Ground Review

Regulatory Review

XC Flight Plan Review

Weather Decision-Making

Risk Management & Personal Minimums

General Aviation Security Issues

Step 3: Flight Activities

Physical Airplane (Basic Skills)

Mental Airplane (Systems Knowledge)

Aeronautical Decision-Making

Step 4: Post flight Debriefing

Step 5: Aeronautical Health Maintenance & Improvement

Personal Minimums Checklist

Personal Proficiency Practice Plan

Training Plan

Appendices

Federal Aviation Administration Conducting an Effective Flight Review Table of Contents Acknowledgements………………………………………………………………… iii Introduction…………………………………………………………………………. 1 Step 1: Preparation...………………………………….………………………….. 2 Managing Expectations…..………………………………………………. 2 Assignments….………..………………………………………………….. 3 Regulatory Review……….....……………..………………………… 3 Cross-Country Flight Plan…………………………………………... 3 Step 2: Ground Review…………………………………………..……………….. 4 Regulatory Review……….……………………………………………….. 4 XC Flight Plan Review……………………………………………………. 4 Weather Decision-Making………………………………………...... 4 Risk Management & Personal Minimums………………………… 4 General Aviation Security Issues……………………………………...... 5 Step 3: Flight Activities…….…………………………………………………….. 7 Physical Airplane (Basic Skills)………………………………………….. 7 Mental Airplane (Systems Knowledge)…………………………………. 7 Aeronautical Decision-Making…………………………………………… 7 Step 4: Post flight Debriefing……………………………………………………. 9 Step 5: Aeronautical Health Maintenance & Improvement……………….... 10 Personal Minimums Checklist………………………………………….... 10 Personal Proficiency Practice Plan…………………………………...… 10 Training Plan ……………………………………………………….....….. 10 Appendices….……………………………………………………………………..... 11 1-CFI’s Flight Review Checklist……………………………….............. 12 2-Pilot’s Aeronautical History…………………………………………… 13 3-Regulatory Review Guide…………………………………………….. 14 4-Pilot’s Cross-Country Checklist……………………………………… 15 5-Three-P Risk Management Process……………………………...…. 16 6-GA Security Checklist……………………………………………….... 17 7-Personal Minimums Worksheets…………………………………….. 18 8-Personal Proficiency Practice Plan………………………………….. 24 9-Personal Training Plan……………………………………………….. 25 10-Resources……………..……………………………………………….. 26 Acknowledgements This guide has been developed with assistance, contributions, and suggestions from a number of general aviation pilots and flight instructors. Special thanks are due to Pat Cannon, Turbine Aircraft Services; Jens Hennig, General Aviation Manufacturers Association; Sandy and JoAnn Hill, National Association of Flight Instructors; Sean Lane, ASA Publishing; Jim Lauerman, Avemco; Stan Mackiewicz, National Air Transportation Association; Arlynn McMahon, AeroTech Incorporated; Tim McSwain, USAIG; Rusty Sachs, National Association of Flight Instructors; Roger Sharp, Cessna Pilot Centers; Jackie Spanitz; ASA; Howard Stoodley, Manassas Aviation Center; Michele Summers, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University; and Max Trescott, SJFlight. It is intended to be a living document that incorporates comments, suggestions, and ideas for best practices from GA instructors like you. Please direct comments and ideas for future iterations to: [susan.parson@faa.gov](susan.parson@faa.gov). Happy – and safe – flying! Introduction General aviation (GA) pilots enjoy a level of flexibility and freedom unrivaled by their aeronautical contemporaries. Airline, corporate, and military flight operations are all strictly regulated, and each uses a significant degree of internal oversight to ensure compliance. GA has relatively few of these regulatory encumbrances. As a result, safety depends heavily upon the development and maintenance of each individual pilot’s basic skills, systems knowledge, and aeronautical decision-making skills. The purpose of the flight review required by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) 61.56 is to provide for a regular evaluation of pilot skills and aeronautical knowledge. AC 61-98A states that the flight review is also intended to offer pilots the opportunity to design a personal currency and proficiency program in consultation with a certificated flight instructor (CFI) . In effect, the flight review is the aeronautical equivalent of a regular medical checkup and ongoing health improvement program. Like a physical exam, a flight review may have certain “standard” features (e.g. , review of specific regulations and

FAQs

What is the purpose of the FAA flight review under 14 CFR 61.56?

The flight review provides a regular evaluation of pilot skills and aeronautical knowledge. It is also intended to help pilots design a personal currency and proficiency program with a CFI.

What are the key steps in conducting an effective flight review?

The guide organizes the process into Step 1 Preparation, Step 2 Ground Review, Step 3 Flight Activities, Step 4 Post-flight Debriefing, and Step 5 Aeronautical Health Maintenance & Improvement.

How do personal minimums and risk management fit into the flight review?

The guide treats personal minimums as individualized “operations specifications” that guide decisions and target proficiency needs. It emphasizes developing risk management strategies and realistic minimums as part of the review and follow-up training.

Sep 24, 2026

Uploaded by Jordan Avery

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