Lesson 9b - 61.56 Flight Review

Lesson Objective

To assure that all Club members are fully compliant with the regulatory requirements (q.v.) for flight reviews, including biennial flight and ground training as appropriate to the member's ratings and status. 

Regulatory Requirement

• §61.56 (No pilot may act as pilot in command without being in compliance with this regulation.)

Content

Review of general operating and flight rules of CFR 14 FAR 91; a review of maneuvers and procedures that, at the discretion of the CFI providing the review, are necessary for the safe exercise of the privileges of the member's certificate.

It must include one hour of ground instruction covering part 91. The contents of the ground instruction are up to the instructor to decide.

It must also include one hour of flight instruction. If one hour of flight instruction is not practical, glider pilots may substitute at least three flights "to pattern altitude".

Pilots who hold a current CFI rating and who have satisfactorily completed a renewal of a flight instructor certificate under the provisions in §61.197 need are exempt from the one hour of ground instruction, as per 61.56(f). 

Completion Standards

The completion standards are at the discretion of the flight instructor providing the review.

Required Sign-offs for Flight Review

After the successful completion of the flight review, the instructor will indicate so with a logbook endorsement.  Below is a sample sign-off with text taken from FAA Advisory Circular 61-65G. The flight review is only valid for pilots possessing an airman rating with the glider category. 

• Endorsement of successful 61.56 Flight Review, AC 61-65J Endorsement A.65

  Completion of a flight review: section §61.56(a) and (c). I certify that [First name, MI, Last name], [grade of pilot certificate], [certificate number], has satisfactorily completed a flight review of § 61.56(a) on [date].

NOTE: No logbook entry reflecting unsatisfactory performance on a flight review is required. Simply log instruction received in this circumstance. 

Prerequisite Study

• 14 CFR §61.56
• Review 14 CFR part 91, Emphasizing on these regs:
  • §91.7 Civil aircraft airworthiness
  • §91.9 Civil aircraft flight manual, marking, and placard requirements.
  • §91.13 Careless or reckless operation.
  • §91.15 Dropping objects.
  • §91.17 Alcohol or drugs.
  • §91.103 Preflight action.
  • §91.111 Operating near other aircraft.
  • §91.113 Right-of-way rules: Except water operations.
  • §91.161 Special awareness training required for pilots flying under visual flight rules within a 60-nautical mile radius of the Washington, DC VOR/DME.
  • §91.211 Supplemental oxygen.
  • §91.303 Aerobatic flight.
  • §91.307 Parachutes and parachuting.
  • §91.309 Towing: Gliders and unpowered ultralight vehicles.
  • §91.319 Aircraft having experimental certificates: Operating limitations.

Recommended Study

• "Glider BFR And Spring Checkout ", by Bob Wander