Biennial Flight Reviews

[Pogie]

If you're an airline pilot, I understand that you don't have to do them because you do annual/biannual checkrides. So here's a twist... what if you're an American with an N-registered GA aircraft, but you work for an Asian airline?

[Desert185]

61.56 Flight Reviews (no longer called BFR) doesn't differentiate between a US carrier and a foreign carrier...but...you may want to run it by your local FSDO inspector.

Review 61.56, as there are other ways to ensure compliance, such as the Wings program. Let us know what you find out.

This may be helpful:

Reigel Law Firm, Ltd., an Aviation Law Firm

[A Squared]

Good question.

The relevant part of the regulation is as follows:

61.56

(d) A person who has, within the period specified in paragraph (c) of this section, passed any of the following need not accomplish the flight review required by this section:

(1) A pilot proficiency check or practical test conducted by an examiner, an approved pilot check airman, or a U.S. Armed Force, for a pilot certificate, rating, or operating privilege.

So it's got to be:

An Examiner

An approved Pilot Check Airman

or a US Armed Force.


Obviously not a part of a US Armed Force. Examiner is defined in Part 61 as an examiner authorized by "The administrator" meaning the FAA Adminstrator, so an FAA examiner or DPE.

An approved check airman is a little less clear but, "approved" is defined in Part 1 as :

Approved, unless used with reference to another person, means approved by the FAA or any person to whom the FAA has delegated its authority in the matter concerned, or approved under the provisions of a bilateral agreement between the United States and a foreign country or jurisdiction.

It gets a little murky with the "unless used with reference to another person" but I'm leaning toward the check airmen at your carrier not being considers "approved check airmen" by the FAA.

Of course if any of your sim instructors are from the US and hold an FAA instructor's certificate they could sign you off for a biennial flight review. Not sure I'd try that unless he was a buddy though.

[Pogie]

Thanks, guys.

I think that the "approved" check airman thing is what would probably get in my way. Funny, I'm perfectly okay to fly a foreign-registered Jumbo into LAX or JFK, but if I flew my own little puddle jumper out of an uncontrolled airport, then I need a BFR. Where's the logic in that?

The whole reason I was asking this is because I got an e-mail from the EAA regarding webinars that give you credit towards this Wings program. Has anyone done one of these? How many credits do you get per webinar, and how many do you need to alleviate the need to do a BFR? Do you just listen to one of these things, or are there exams? I tried to look it up, but you have to sign up for one to get the detailed information. I might do that if it proves to be easier and cheaper than renting a 300-hour wonder instructor.

[Desert185]

Go to: Safer Skies Through Education - FAA - FAASTeam - FAASafety.gov and register. I do my heavy training/checks with a govt agency and use the paperwork as credit towards a phase to earn my flight review (again, it isn't called a Biennial Flight Review anymore, just Flight Review). Its all very straight forward and easy, and fully described on the website.

If you have a CFI, the online renewal courses every two years can also be used as part of the credit towards completion of a phase. Basically, log everything you do and the system will tell you what more you need towards completion.

[MarkerInbound]

Last time I looked you can use the Wings program hours to count towards the one hour of ground review. There is another part where you go up with an instructor and work on a couple areas, say stalls and steep turns. then another time short field landings and slow flight. Think of it as a progressive FR. Do three sessions with a CFI and you're covered for your FR.

[rick1128]

I would say if the carrier you work for is a Part 129 approved carrier, which covers foreign carriers operating into the US than the check airman would be considered approved.

The real answer would be to write a letter to the FAA Office of Chief Counsel and request a letter of interpretation. If they say it is OK than you are golden.

[Desert185]

Rick1128

That was my thought.

[Pogie]

Thanks,

I'll try that.

[jrmyl]

Let us all know how it turns out. I would be interested to know as well.

[Check 6]

Legal opinions from the FAA take anywhere from 6-12 months for a response. I would suggest getting a Flight Review from a CFI on a layover in the U.S. or from a CFI coworker at your airline.

[flyboyike]

In this scenario, wouldn't it be easier to just go up with a CFI and do an actual BFR? I know my GA skills are so rusty by now, I'd welcome such a checkout.

[Angelbkonde]

Help choosing school for CPL

I am soon getting my PPL in Kenya, I have decided to go to USA for my CPL Multi-Istrument, & I have been looking at ATP flight school in Florida Daytona Beach, mostly because I am looking to finish in shortest time possible.

Ha anyone trained with ATP? if so what was the experience? and do they deliver what they say on they website?

Any other school that you can recommend will be helpful.

Thank you

[Check 6]

I don't have any personal knowledge of ATP Flight Schools, but I have never heard any positive things about them. In general what I have heard is that they don't deliver what they promise, but keep in mind this is not first-hand information.

I live in N.E. Florida and can recommend a local flight school - Florida Aviation Career Training (FACT). I know the owner and he has a very good reputation at our airport (St. Augustine, Florida KSGJ). This airport is about 45 miles north of Daytona Beach.

Florida Aviation Career Training, Inc.

If you have any more questions please feel free to PM me, and good luck.

[SkyByou]

Any Answer?

Does anyone have an answer to this question? Does a part 129 PC count as a Flight Review?