How to reinstate a CFI

GeorgiaFlyer

GeorgiaFlyer

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GeorgiaFlyer
I am currently grounded due medical certificate and unfortunately I let my CFI, CFII, MEI expire a few years ago. Does anyone know the process to reinstate it? I’d assume I would have to have a valid medical before I can start the process to get it reinstated correct? May be limited to a ground school instructor? Thanks for any responses
 
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Walboy said:
61.199 covers reinstatement.

You might call your FSDO and see if you'll have to reinstate with a ride with them or if they use a DPE. Most FSDOs are out of the checkride business these days, even for CFI. A busy flight school would probably have the answer to that question too.

If you qualify for basic med, I wouldn't think a medical is necessary.
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I wouldn’t call the FSDO...there’s never been any guidance that says a reinstatement (or renewal, or additional rating checkride) needs to be done by an FAA inspector.

As far as a medical, if basic med isn’t an option, if you can get the DPE to act as PIC for the checkride, that would work, too.
 
MauleSkinner said:
I wouldn’t call the FSDO...there’s never been any guidance that says a reinstatement (or renewal, or additional rating checkride) needs to be done by an FAA inspector.

As far as a medical, if basic med isn’t an option, if you can get the DPE to act as PIC for the checkride, that would work, too.
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FAA guidance to DPEs is to not act as PIC on a check ride. They don't prohibit it, but there's really no good reason to take the check ride before you become medically qualified, as you are so limited in what sort of flight instruction you can do without acting as PIC or as a required crew member.
 
You have to take a practical test, you may take that test with a DPE, and since you would be acting PIC during the test you probably need a current medical, but I would call a DPE and inquire if the medical is needed. The medical is not a requirement for the certificate, so it may not be required for the test.
 
Clip4 said:
You have to take a practical test, you may take that test with a DPE, and since you would be acting PIC during the test you probably need a current medical, but I would call a DPE and inquire if the medical is needed. The medical is not a requirement for the certificate, so it may not be required for the test.
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61.23 says:

(a) Operations requiring a medical certificate. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a person--
(3) Must hold at least a third-class medical certificate--
(iii) When taking a practical test in an aircraft for a recreational pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot, or airline transport pilot certificate, or for a flight instructor certificate, except when operating under the conditions and limitations set forth in § 61.113(i);​

61.13(i) is BasicMed
 
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midlifeflyer said:
61.23 says:

(a) Operations requiring a medical certificate. Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c) of this section, a person--
(3) Must hold at least a third-class medical certificate--
(iii) When taking a practical test in an aircraft for a recreational pilot, private pilot, commercial pilot, or airline transport pilot certificate, or for a flight instructor certificate, except when operating under the conditions and limitations set forth in § 61.113(i);​

61.13(i) is BasicMed
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Is he taking a practical test for a flight instructor certificate or taking a practical test for reinstatement of a certificate? With the way the FAA interprets regs I would ask.
 
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Thanks for all the responses. I think I’ll do a little more research and reach out to a local DPE. Wasn’t sure if that is a question for the FSDO or a DPE.
 
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Clip4 said:
Is he taking a practical test for a flight instructor certificate or taking a practical test for reinstatement of a certificate? With the way the FAA interprets regs I would ask.
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From a response in a different thread, he is seeking to regain his CFI certificate.
 
I reinstated my CFI two & a half years ago. I went to a DPE.

Since I personally knew the DPE & have thousands of hours of dual given, I figured the checkride would be a formality but studied my donkey off the month previous just in case. I also went out a did every private & commercial maneuver from the right seat until I felt I was proficient again.

My checkride ended up lasting over 8 hours! 4-5 hours oral test & then a 2 hour checkride! I was glad as hell that I took it serious & studied.

I asked the DPE if he was always so tough. He said he was extra hard on me because he didn't want me to think I could just waltz in & he'd hand me my CFI again.

I'm glad to have my CFI again & will never let it lapse again.
 
AggieMike88 said:
From a response in a different thread, he is seeking to regain his CFI certificate.
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@Clip4 apparent sees a possible distinction between a practical test for a flight instructor certificate the first time and a practical test to regain it if it has expired.
 
If your medical issues don’t knock you out of Sport Pilot privileges, you could renew or add a rating in a Light Sport aircraft.
 
My FI certificate expired many years ago and I had not flown an airplane in 29 years when I completed a flight review. My plan is to take a reinstatement ride with a DPE.

Since All of my CFI qualifications will be renewed, I can choose which evaluation to take for the practical.

It was suggested I take the Instrument Airplane eval, since it has the fewest maneuvers, will cost the least and will be the most fun, since I enjoy instrument training.

We'll see how it goes...
 
I see several people referring to Basic Med. Can Basic Med be used for instruction? I assumed that since you were getting paid that would require the use of your commercial?
 
So to further the question... I also need to reinstate my CFI. So will my CFI, II, MEI classes get reinstated if I just dive right into getting my SESI? My goal is to get the SES/MES instructor certs by the end of the century, so I figgered I'd start on them now.
 
lancie00 said:
I see several people referring to Basic Med. Can Basic Med be used for instruction? I assumed that since you were getting paid that would require the use of your commercial?
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Instruction has always been exception to requiring a Second Class medical when getting paid. Basic Med (if operating a qualifying aircraft) or a Third Class medical is required when instructing Private Pilots or when giving instruction to someone whose medical or BFR has expired. Someone has to act as PIC and the student can’t. A Third Class medical is required to act as a Safety Pilot and therefore for giving instrument instruction as well.

§61.23 Medical certificates: Requirement and duration.
(3) Must hold at least a third-class medical certificate—
(ii) When exercising the privileges of a flight instructor certificate and acting as the pilot in command or as a required flightcrew member, except when operating under the conditions and limitations set forth in §61.113(i);
 
Eric Stoltz said:
So to further the question... I also need to reinstate my CFI. So will my CFI, II, MEI classes get reinstated if I just dive right into getting my SESI? My goal is to get the SES/MES instructor certs by the end of the century, so I figgered I'd start on them now.
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Yes.
 
Eric Stoltz said:
So to further the question... I also need to reinstate my CFI. So will my CFI, II, MEI classes get reinstated if I just dive right into getting my SESI? My goal is to get the SES/MES instructor certs by the end of the century, so I figgered I'd start on them now.
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Eric,

There are no "SESI" or "SES/MES instructor certs." For one, you're describing ratings on the certificate, not certificates. Two, your expired instructor certificate with its associated ratings (ASE, IA, AME, commonly referred to as the CFI, CFII and MEI) already include those privileges if you have ASES and AMES ratings on your pilot certificate. I.e., there are no specific seaplane flight instructor ratings.

You can add a new rating onto your expired flight instructor certificate that you don't already have, such as glider (?), which would also require a glider rating on your pilot certificate. But if you don't want to do that, you'll have to reinstate your CFI, which is treated no differently than the practical test for the flight instructor rating you'd like to reinstate. Completing the requirements of 14 CFR 61.199 reinstates all of your flight instructor privileges, so for example, if you completed a CFI-IA reinstatement, your CFI-ASE and CFI-AME privileges would also become available.

Hope this helps.
 
Ryan F. said:
Eric,

There are no "SESI" or "SES/MES instructor certs." For one, you're describing ratings on the certificate, not certificates. Two, your expired instructor certificate with its associated ratings (ASE, IA, AME, commonly referred to as the CFI, CFII and MEI) already include those privileges if you have ASES and AMES ratings on your pilot certificate. I.e., there are no specific seaplane flight instructor ratings.

You can add a new rating onto your expired flight instructor certificate that you don't already have, such as glider (?), which would also require a glider rating on your pilot certificate. But if you don't want to do that, you'll have to reinstate your CFI, which is treated no differently than the practical test for the flight instructor rating you'd like to reinstate. Completing the requirements of 14 CFR 61.199 reinstates all of your flight instructor privileges, so for example, if you completed a CFI-IA reinstatement, your CFI-ASE and CFI-AME privileges would also become available.

Hope this helps.
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Perfect! Thank you. I have been looking for this answer for quite a while.
 
Brad Z said:
FAA guidance to DPEs is to not act as PIC on a check ride. They don't prohibit it, but there's really no good reason to take the check ride before you become medically qualified, as you are so limited in what sort of flight instruction you can do without acting as PIC or as a required crew member.
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Really you are only limited in the extent that you can not do primary flight training or training where you are a required crew member (which covers initial type training, tailwheel/high perf/high alt/complex training, instrument, etc). Legally you can still do advanced training including commercial, ATP, flight reviews (so long as the other pilots flight review is not yet expired), transition training, checkouts, etc.


lancie00 said:
I see several people referring to Basic Med. Can Basic Med be used for instruction? I assumed that since you were getting paid that would require the use of your commercial?
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A CFI requires a commercial license but the FAA does not require a 2nd class medical or any medical including Basic Med to instruct so long as the CFI is not acting as PIC.

My first commercial pilot CFI had no medical so he couldn't offer primary training or any training in which he had to act as PIC but he could be the CFI on the flight. When he demonstrated maneuvers for me, we were in the legal grey area allowed by the FAA which allows the PIC to give control over to another person whether they are certificated or not so long as they are still ultimately responsible for the flight.
 
Clip4 said:
And very time consuming and expensive.
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Depends on your definition of “very”. A couple of dual flights, 20 short solo flights, a recommendation and checkride gets you the commercial add-on. Can be done in a weekend.

From there, the time it takes to get the CFI is probably not going to be more than what it takes to study up for any of the other checkrides that would reinstate the CFI.
 
apr911 said:
When he demonstrated maneuvers for me, we were in the legal grey area allowed by the FAA which allows the PIC to give control over to another person whether they are certificated or not so long as they are still ultimately responsible for the flight.
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When did that become a gray area?
 
MauleSkinner said:
When did that become a gray area?
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I guess its not really a "gray area" since it is defined in the Regs and isnt really all that ambiguous.

I guess its more of a legal anomaly? I cant really think of many other activities where the responsible party aka the pilot (whether a CFI or not), can give control of the plane over to anyone they want regardless of license, medical, age or capability...
 
MauleSkinner said:
Depends on your definition of “very”. A couple of dual flights, 20 short solo flights, a recommendation and checkride gets you the commercial add-on. Can be done in a weekend.

From there, the time it takes to get the CFI is probably not going to be more than what it takes to study up for any of the other checkrides that would reinstate the CFI.
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I've flown gliders a few times over the years, was even a tow pilot for awhile in Alaska. I know, when I heard they had gliders in Alaska I was surprised at first too.

Anyway, I've never pursued it to the point of getting a certificate, so just for fun I called around yesterday to inquire about getting my Commercial Glider and/or CFI Glider add-ons. Turns out both local places charge about the same price. The Commercial Glider add-on would be about 3500ish... and the CFI obviously more.

That seems like a pretty expensive way to get your CFI reinstated, unless you already planned on getting, or had a desire to get your glider CFI.
 
SToL said:
I've flown gliders a few times over the years, was even a tow pilot for awhile in Alaska. I know, when I heard they had gliders in Alaska I was surprised at first too.

Anyway, I've never pursued it to the point of getting a certificate, so just for fun I called around yesterday to inquire about getting my Commercial Glider and/or CFI Glider add-ons. Turns out both local places charge about the same price. The Commercial Glider add-on would be about 3500ish... and the CFI obviously more.

That seems like a pretty expensive way to get your CFI reinstated, unless you already planned on getting, or had a desire to get your glider CFI.
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Sounds to me like the OP hasn’t been flying for a while and is going to be starting from square one on the CFI stuff for his reinstatement...I doubt he’ll be spending much, if any, less.
 
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