Doug wrote:
Using common sense, the CFI rating certainly should count. It is
pretty intense, requires a written test, ground school and a flight
test. Mine was exhaustive with 75 hours of ground school, 15 hours of
flight training and flying with 5 different instructors. Not all are
that exhaustive, but if someone tried to tell me it didn't qualify as
a BFR, I'd think that was pretty ridiculous. When you compare all that
to a two hour BFR, you see what I mean.

Just contacted AOPA and my FSDO about this. In short, any practical
exam that tests an applicant's piloting skills qualifies under the 61.56
BFR exemption. I was particularly concerned since my last qualifying
exam was almost two years ago, and if I'd been flying illegally all this
time.....well, I don't want to think about it.

An excerpt from AOPA's response:

'If the examiner also evaluates the applicant's piloting skills then
YES, ". . . a flight instructor practical test (for initial issuance or
a CFI rating addition or for a reinstatement) . . ." would meet the
requirements of a § 61.56 Flight Review.'

My FSDO's examiner did some research and called me back, only to confirm
this. His interpretation is slightly contradictory to what others have
pointed out here, in that he called the CFI certificate a "pilot
certificate" because (and I quote) "we don't give those to truck
drivers". However, he nevertheless agreed with your common-sense
approach. A BFR is a joke compared to the preparation and
demonstrations required for any CFI certificate / rating.

That said, if you choose to renew your CFI certificate without a
practical test, then you would need to accomplish a flight review before
the end of the 24th calendar month since your last practical exam.

Safe flying,

-Doug

--
--------------------
Doug Vetter, CFIMEIA

http://www.dvcfi.com
--------------------