On Tuesday, October 1st, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) officially published a new rule in regard to the expiration of Certificated Flight Instructors (CFIs). With the publication of this new rule, a flight instructor’s certificate no longer has an expiration date. Previously, the FAA had mandated that a CFI certificate expires after 24 calendar months. With this new rule, there is no expiration date required, which aligns with several other pilot certificates. There are still additional requirements that are mandated for a CFI to maintain their active certificate during a similar time frame, however.
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Newly published FAA rule
The FAA published its new guidance for CFIs on October 1st, titled 2024-22018 (89 FR 80020), according to the Federal Register. This rule removes the expiration date on flight instructor certificates. It also mentions that this will align with other existing airman certificates, such as the private pilot license (PPL).
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The FAA also introduced a new method for CFIs to stay current. Previously, CFIs were required to take a practical test within 24 calendar months of the date that the initial certificate was awarded. This was known as the expiration date for a CFI certificate. With the introduction of this rule, CFIs are instead allowed to reinstate their instructor privileges via an approved flight instructor refresher course instead of a practical test. This is allowed if the instructor has not had a lapse of more than three months of instructing. CFIs can renew their certificate every 24 calendar months by completing this refresher course, designated as a Flight Instructor Refresher Clinic (FIRC).
Additional ways to renew the CFI certificate
The newly published FAA rule establishes two additional methods for flight instructors to remain current by training qualified applicants. The first activity is for CFIs to engage in at least 15 flight activities with trainees. These flight activities must be recognized under an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program. The CFI in question must evaluate at least five different pilots, and they also must endorse each pilot’s logbook.
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The second activity clarifies an existing rule. CFIs must endorse at least five applicants for a practical test during 24 calendar months. These applicants must maintain at least an 80% successful pass rate. This can be utilized by CFIs to renew their certificates. Other small changes were included in this final rule, including reorganizing requirements for personnel that are seeking to renew their expired flight instructor certificates.
Overall, the FAA approved this rule to help align the CFI certificate with other airman certificates. Certificates like the PPL or Commercial Pilot License (CPL) do not maintain expiration dates. Additionally, the FAA believes that this will increase efficiency in CFIs renewing their certificates and cut unnecessary costs. The FAA mentioned that it expects this rule to result in over $5 million in savings for the general aviation industry and the FAA over the next five years, averaging out to over $1 million annually. The rule will go into effect beginning December 1st, later this year.