What's the bi-annual flight review all about?

What's the bi-annual flight review all about?

I haven't been through one yet.. how tough are they? Is this like a
mini-practical test with stalls, engine outs and a tough verbal exam etc..
or is it more like an informal "Can he still fly an airplane and still
understands the basics?"

--
Dallas

"Dallas" wrote in message
...

What's the bi-annual flight review all about?

I haven't been through one yet.. how tough are they? Is this like a
mini-practical test with stalls, engine outs and a tough verbal exam etc..
or is it more like an informal "Can he still fly an airplane and still
understands the basics?"

--
Dallas

Everything depends on the individual instructor.

Dallas wrote:

What's the bi-annual flight review all about?

I haven't been through one yet.. how tough are they? Is this like a
mini-practical test with stalls, engine outs and a tough verbal exam etc..
or is it more like an informal "Can he still fly an airplane and still
understands the basics?"

It is mostly up to whoever does it, though in general it is usually
"Can he still fly the airplane safely and legally".

The guy I go to does mostly airspace and airport operations during
the ground part and ATC communications/operations during the flight
portion. If he can find a nearby airport with a crosswind, count on
going there, otherwise he will usually pick a couple of basics such
as S turns, stalls, etc. to see how you handle the airplane.

It is a good time for a refresher on anything you feel weak on
since you have to be there anyway.

It isn't a "test" as there is no failing unless you are a complete
dunce and do something incredibility stupid, dangerous or illegal
that causes the instructor to not sign you off.


--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:30:00 GMT, wrote:

It isn't a "test" as there is no failing

Not getting the sign off means you failed.

But, I like the idea that it's a test. My ex-fighter pilot brother in law
was under the impression that he was legal to fly if he got his medical. I
added that he needed the flight review, then he was legal.

The last time he flew they hadn't adopted Class B airspace yet. I would
hope that the instructor would really test this guy before he turned him
loose to fly again.

--
Dallas

Dallas wrote:
On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:30:00 GMT, wrote:

It isn't a "test" as there is no failing

Not getting the sign off means you failed.

If you don't get a sign off it means you are totally incompetant as a
pilot.

A test has objective criteria, a flight review doesn't.

But, I like the idea that it's a test.

In my opinion, you are looking at it in the wrong way.

It should be an opportunity to refresh and hone your skills and maybe
learn something new.


--
Jim Pennino

Remove .spam.sux to reply.

On Apr 15, 7:45*am, wrote:
Dallas wrote:
On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:30:00 GMT, wrote:

It isn't a "test" as there is no failing

Not getting the sign off means you failed.

If you don't get a sign off it means you are totally incompetant as a
pilot.

That's not true. I've failed to sign off applicants before who just
needed another hour or so of dual. Even current pilots may have
problems with crosswind landings, etc. The FAA has, so far, provided
very little guidence on what must be included in a BFR. Compare that
to the IPC which is laid out in very specific detail in the IR PTS.
Its up to the instructor when it comes to the BFR. Sadly, the last BFR
I did was for a guy with thousands of hours, very current, but nearing
80. I don't think he understood how much of his piloting skills he'd
lost with age, even though he was flying regularly. I was not able to
sign him off after another 2 hours of dual so I had him fly with
another instructor. That instructor came to the same conclusion. Its
sad, I hope he eventually gets his BFR but right now he can't even
remember to tune the radio before calling tower and would have busted
airspace several times during our ride had I not tuned the radio for
him.

-Robert, CFII

"Dallas" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:30:00 GMT, wrote:

It isn't a "test" as there is no failing

Not getting the sign off means you failed.


And it does indeed happen. I had a bad experience with a low time instructor
over nothing more than a short field landing procedure. I actually had to
threaten him with contacting the FAA to get his signature.

But choose your CFI with care, as you always should. A BFR should be a fun,
and a great time to ask questions and learn something new. I have been
taking BFRs as long as the program has been required, and only had one bad
one.

"Dallas" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 14 Apr 2009 19:30:00 GMT, wrote:

It isn't a "test" as there is no failing

Not getting the sign off means you failed.

But, I like the idea that it's a test. My ex-fighter pilot brother in law
was under the impression that he was legal to fly if he got his medical.
I
added that he needed the flight review, then he was legal.

The last time he flew they hadn't adopted Class B airspace yet. I would
hope that the instructor would really test this guy before he turned him
loose to fly again.

--
Dallas

Well.. that means he has not flown in over 20 years?
His "FR" will be more than just the standard 1hr of ground and 1hr of air
time. It should be a very through review of the CFRs, the airspace changes,
the new requirements since 9/11, new certificate with proper address issued
from FAA (paper ones are not longer worthy after March 2010). Plus all the
flight maneuvers expected to fly at his certificate level, private or
commercial. A CFI-A can do all that, he does not need to see the Examiner
again.

Some people pick it back up quick, some don't, and based on age (mental
faculties), some maybe shouldn't. We run into that with older pilots wanting
to fly gliders because they no longer maintain a medical. I'd expect at
least 5-10 hours or more, depending on his capabilities and knowledge
absorption rate.

Same with Sport Pilot, and he does not need a medical, but he does need a
Flight Review.

BT

On Apr 14, 2:55*pm, Dallas wrote:
What's the bi-annual flight review all about?

I haven't been through one yet.. *how tough are they? *Is this like a
mini-practical test with stalls, engine outs and a tough verbal exam etc...
or is it more like an informal "Can he still fly an airplane and still
understands the basics?"

--
Dallas

The basic purpose of the review is simply to have an instructor take a
look at your flying, general attitude, and habit patterns to insure a
continuing competence.
For any pilot with no standout issues, the review should be no problem
at all.
My procedure for giving these reviews was to simply tell the pilot I
wanted to see how he/she approached and conducted a normal flight from
beginning to end. I told them to act normally and just to consider me
an "interested observer".
The instructor of course has a criteria that is followed but there is
no reason that this criteria should take the form of intrusion on the
flight unless it becomes necessary.
Just treat the flight as a normal check flight and you'll do just
fine.
Dudley Henriques

"Dudley Henriques" wrote in message
...
On Apr 14, 2:55 pm, Dallas wrote:
What's the bi-annual flight review all about?

I haven't been through one yet.. how tough are they? Is this like a
mini-practical test with stalls, engine outs and a tough verbal exam etc..
or is it more like an informal "Can he still fly an airplane and still
understands the basics?"

--
Dallas

The basic purpose of the review is simply to have an instructor take a
look at your flying, general attitude, and habit patterns to insure a
continuing competence.
For any pilot with no standout issues, the review should be no problem
at all.
My procedure for giving these reviews was to simply tell the pilot I
wanted to see how he/she approached and conducted a normal flight from
beginning to end. I told them to act normally and just to consider me
an "interested observer".
The instructor of course has a criteria that is followed but there is
no reason that this criteria should take the form of intrusion on the
flight unless it becomes necessary.
Just treat the flight as a normal check flight and you'll do just
fine.
Dudley Henriques

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You might even be allowed to go somewhere are consume a burger...

Peter :-)