Changes to Flight Instructor Renewals | CFI Expiration Date

[@gregmorton2518]

The option to renew flight instructor certificate based on participation as instructor in FAA Wings is not a new option but has existed for years. I've been renewing my flight instructor certificate in this manner for years. Advisory circular 61-91J section 6 e. details the requirements which remain unchanged in the new rule effective December 1, 2024.

[@mvsc-k5e]

news to me! thanks!

[@EmpReb]

There is new 61-65J now that shows how to do your RE sign.

[@alsecen5674]

If you need a practical after 24 months of no CFI activity, nothing has changed. You still need to take a FIRC every 24 mos if you don't instruct full time. So, the CFI still expires. The license doesn't expire, but you don't need a practical to get back flying, just a flight review. This is all hand waving with no real change other than saving the FAA money.

[@AndrewFlyGuy]

Thanks for this! The literature is a painful read. So, if I understand correctly... 1) CFI certs still expire. It's just that new instructor certificates won't have that expiration printed on them. 2) If you're already a CFI, once you renew, you'll get a new plastic that doesn't have an expiration date. 3) The routes to renew are unchanged. 4) A CFI that has sent at least 5 candidates to check rides, and had 80% pass on their first attempt, can now sign off candidates for CFI initial. No longer do they have to have been a CFI for 24 calendar months as long as the previous sentence is applicable. Correct? Did I miss anything? I really feel the FAA clickbated us all with the phraseology of this change.

[@Reuben-ny3]

I'm still searching, and I know this is about flight instruction, but are there any changes to the Ground Instructor certificates? I always appreciate your videos. Thank you.

[@eheigis]

No, the final rule did not make any changes for ground instructors.

[@THEnelsonbruhs]

So my CFI checkride is on Halloween. My certificate expires October 2026 then. When I renew my certificate for the first time after Dec. 2024, will I be sent a new card without an expiration or do these new rules only apply to certificates INITIALLY earned after December?

[@isaacstone7010]

My questions are: (1.) do you need to be a 2 year CFI to utilize the new 80% pass rate option within the last 24 months? It sounds like you don't..? (2.) Can two qualified CFIs split the ground and flight portion of the CFI initial training requirements between them - such as the first one providing a ground training endorsement, and the second conducting the flight portion and endorsing for the practical test/flight/IACRA?

[@JustSayN2O]

Plastic cards can’t be too costly to manufacture, considering the machine to make these is already present.

[@DNModels]

FAR/AIM should be revised by AI.

[@shreddder999]

So the FAA is saying that we are so good that our certificates will never expire.

[@lukekohler6421]

The 5 student practical test pass with at least 80% pass rate. Is that an option for staying current?

[@sloomplepoomple3868]

Yes. You are able to maintain currency if you have endorsed at least 5 people within the past 24 calendar months, given that 80% of those people passed their respective practical test.

[@N238E]

Do we still have to get 1500 hours? Lol

[@DiscussionsofLife]

No, that's only if you want to get your Airline Transport Certification.