Flight Review Lesson Plan

Special Cases • 14 CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) 61.56

The Flight Review Lesson Plan helps instructors evaluate and restore the knowledge, risk management, and flight proficiency required by 14 CFR 61.56.

Flight Review Lesson Plan

Introduction

  • Schedule

    Topic:
    Time:
    Pilot Interview and Objectives:
    0:15
    Ground Review:
    1:00
    Flight Activities:
    1:00
    Postflight Discussion:
    0:15
    Minimum Planned Time:
    0:00

  • Attention Getter:

    • Ask the pilot to identify the most significant changes in their flying, aircraft, and operating environment since the last proficiency review.

  • Motivator:

    • A flight review is a tailored training event and an opportunity to strengthen proficiency, judgment, and risk management before weaknesses contribute to an accident.

  • Objective:

    • Determine that the pilot can safely exercise the privileges of the pilot certificate and provide the training needed to correct identified deficiencies.

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Flight Review Lesson Plan

Materials

Flight Review Lesson Plan

Instructor Actions

  • Preparation and Pilot Interview:

    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain the pilot's experience, currency, recent flying, aircraft, typical missions, goals, and areas of concern.
    • Agree on objectives and standards while explaining that regulatory minimum time does not guarantee satisfactory completion.
    • Verify that the instructor and aircraft are appropriate for the training to be conducted.

  • Ground Review:

    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain current general operating and flight rules of 14 CFR part 91.
    • Use scenario-based questions to assess weather decisions, airspace, aircraft performance and limitations, systems, aeronautical decision-making, risk management, personal minimums, and automation management as applicable.
    • Use retrieval questioning to have the learner explain the planned flight, aircraft status, weight and balance, performance, and applicable hazards.

  • Flight Activities:

    • Select maneuvers and procedures necessary for the pilot to demonstrate safe exercise of certificate privileges.
    • Evaluate aircraft control, checklist use, traffic avoidance, takeoffs, approaches, landings, navigation, abnormal or emergency procedures, and risk management as appropriate to the pilot and aircraft.
    • Provide additional instruction whenever performance does not demonstrate safe proficiency.

  • Postflight:

    • Debrief performance, decisions, strengths, deficiencies, and recommended follow-on training.
    • When performance is satisfactory, make the flight-review logbook endorsement recommended by current FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) guidance.
    • When performance is not yet satisfactory, document training given without making a failed-flight-review endorsement and develop a plan for additional training.
Flight Review Lesson Plan

Student Actions

  • Provide an accurate account of recent experience, goals, and operating needs.
  • Prepare the assigned regulatory review and flight-planning exercise.
  • Demonstrate sound aircraft control, checklist discipline, situational awareness, aeronautical decision-making, and risk management.
  • Participate in the postflight critique and establish a continuing proficiency plan.
Flight Review Lesson Plan

Completion Standards

  • The pilot demonstrates the knowledge and proficiency necessary to safely exercise the privileges of the pilot certificate.
  • The review includes at least one hour of ground training and one hour of flight training unless an applicable provision of §61.56 provides otherwise.
  • Additional training is completed whenever necessary; elapsed minimum time alone does not establish satisfactory completion.
Flight Review Lesson Plan

Conclusion

  • Re-Motivation:

    • A well-designed flight review renews safe habits and gives the pilot a practical plan for maintaining proficiency beyond the endorsement.

  • Closure:

    • Review agreed follow-on training, personal minimums, and the pilot's continuing proficiency plan.