According to my conversations with the FAA, you should accomplish a Flight Review per FAR 61.56 with a FAA authorized CFIG. This could occur overseas..

Reading the regulation, note that it states that you must receive "a review of the current general operating and flight rules of part 91." These would be the FAA / USA rules. FAR 61.56 also uses the term "authorized instructor" which according to the FAA means a current US FAA Certificated Flight Instructor appropriately rated in the aircraft (glider) category.

How to comply with the FAA Flight Review came to light about 24 months after I conducted over 40 FAA authorized Practical Tests ("checkrides") for glider pilot applicants in Germany. By an interpretation by the FAA, a US / FAA CFIG must conduct their 24 month Flight Reviews to satisfy FAR 61.56. Fortunately I gave a few CFIG checkrides in Germany, so there is a resource of CFIG's there to accomplish the task.

US citizenship is not a requirement for a FAA pilot or CFI certificate but English proficiency is required. Foreign pilots now need some level of US pilot certificate to fly "N" numbered gliders in the USA (a likely result of SEP 11, 2001.) ICAO foreign pilot licenses are generally no longer reciprocal in the USA, but US / FAA pilot certificates are often allowed overseas. For example, I just flew a "D" glider in Germany solo last month as they recognize the US pilot certificates, with certain limitations. It is not automatic -- it is up to the individual glider club as to who they allow to fly their gliders or tow aloft (as often encountered in the USA.)

You could seek the glider rated and current FAA CFIG's in your country who can conduct your flight review. Some hold dual-country CFI certificates.

Note that the term "Biennial" was dropped from FAR 61.56. Apparently some CFI's were writing "Biannual" in logbooks (twice a year!) and the FAA wanted to emphasize that you need not wait 24 months to take a flight review, which is a good idea for your proficiency. Some USA clubs and commercial operators require an "annual" flight review to help ensure the safety of their pilots and planes. The FAR's usually state the bare minimums for logging ground and flight training, as well as pilot currency. As the Soaring Safety Foundation emphasizes, "proficiency" is the goal.

So, take what you want from this reply. Please get a reply in writing from a FAA FSDO if they approve your overseas flight review with a non-FAA certificated instructor. Please share their reply with us if they agree with this course of action. Occasionally we get different answers from the various FSDO's!

I suppose the final answer would be what an insurance adjuster would conclude after an accident.

Then again, you could go to Florida or any year-round soaring site in the USA . . .

Burt Compton, FAA Designated Pilot Examiner
Marfa Gliders Soaring Center, west Texas USA