What is your favorite CFI renewal method?

kgruber

kgruber

Final Approach
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I used to go to the three-day "in-person" courses. I "think" they went for two days. I've used Gleim and Aviation Seminars.

I got a card from American Flyers. I have never used them, but probably could have saved a lot of $$$$ over the last 60 years.


What is your favorite?
 
Timely topic as I'll have to do my first this year. How far in advance do I need to get started?
 
I just renewed mine under “duties and responsibilities,” but that’s harder to do than it was 30 years ago, and I suspect I won’t be at this job in two years when my next one comes up.

The FIRC requirement was 24 hours a lot of years ago, then it dropped to 16. I’ve never done an in-person, but back when Jeppesen did them by Mail, it was a pretty good program.

Now, they all seem to be simply checking the box. No new material, just regurgitating the FAA docs in various forms. I’d probably go with one of the cheaper options.
 
Lindberg said:
Timely topic as I'll have to do my first this year. How far in advance do I need to get started?
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3 months prior to your exp. I am a May exp and will aim to start Feb 1. Then I can chug through the traffic school and renew timely.
 
"Favorite" was in-person when they were common.

Recent. Sporty's FIRC. Free for CFIs with lost of extra benefits.
 
My Favorite is the in person live classes.
I have attended some put on by the SSA and for a lot years our State Aeronautics Division put on a good one.
2nd is what I have done the past few years is meet the Wings requirements for CFI renewal. This is pretty easy to do.
Close 3rd is I I do a renewal with one of my Favorite DPE's. I have done this a few time and always have fun and learn quite a bit about what they see and expect on checkrides.
I have done renewal based on candidates recommended for checkrides.
The only one I have never done is an online renewal course.

Brian CFIIG/ASEL, Approaching my 14th renewal.
 
Greg Bockelman said:
What kind of extra benefits?
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Access to many of their training courses for students, like their full private and instrument online training courses. I’m not doing training for the certificate or ratings anymore, but I thought these were the best when I was, and still go to them for ideas when I work with a pilot with issues.

With the FIRC itself, we’re stuck with the 16 hours, but Sporty’s includes some of their video materials to help pass the time.
 
brcase said:
Close 3rd is I I do a renewal with one of my Favorite DPE's. I have done this a few time and always have fun and learn quite a bit about what they see and expect on checkrides.
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I wanted to do a renewal in my Maule with a particular examiner, but my renewal date is February, and the heater in the airplane was kinda marginal.
 
MauleSkinner said:
I wanted to do a renewal in my Maule with a particular examiner, but my renewal date is February, and the heater in the airplane was kinda marginal.
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As I recall you could now extend your renewal into March. I am not sure it makes much difference if you do it with an examiner as I recall doing it with an examiner is how you reinstate it if you let it lapse anyway.
Of course your CFI would not be valid from the end of February until you complete the renewal. Yeah, I know I probably don't have some of the current terminology right.
Brian
 
brcase said:
As I recall you could now extend your renewal into March. I am not sure it makes much difference if you do it with an examiner as I recall doing it with an examiner is how you reinstate it if you let it lapse anyway.
Of course your CFI would not be valid from the end of February until you complete the renewal. Yeah, I know I probably don't have some of the current terminology right.
Brian
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Unfortunately I’m no longer in the vicinity of that examiner, nor do I have my Maule anymore. But those are otherwise good points.
 
kgruber said:
I got a card from American Flyers. I have never used them, but probably could have saved a lot of $$$$ over the last 60 years.
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Been using American Flyers every two years since 2003. Saved a bunch of money.

It's changed a lot over the years. At times they integrate the latest FAA hot button topic like runway incursions and airport signage. They also update their training in tune with industry improvements in aviation electronics and teaching recommendations accordingly. Some years they threw in unmanned aircraft rules and regs, etc.

The majority of the online course is weather, aerodynamics, and traditional airman topics. You never really know what's new that's coming at you until you complete the course.

All in all, it think it's a good course... but not good enough to be looking forward to taking it.
 
A friend of mine has used American Flyers for the last eight renewals. She lamented the fact that they went to timer driven coursework, requiring a level of interaction, as mandated by the FAA. She does like that the quiz questions stayed caveperson easy (even the hot topic ones).
 
catmandu said:
A friend of mine has used American Flyers for the last eight renewals. She lamented the fact that they went to timer driven coursework, requiring a level of interaction, as mandated by the FAA. She does like that the quiz questions stayed caveperson easy (even the hot topic ones).
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The quiz questions in most FIRCs are “caveperson easy.”

I did Gleim early on, American Flyers for a number of renewals, and now Sporty’s. Each segment consists of 10 minutes of material we have to spend 50 to 60 minutes on. If we are very lucky, there will be something new. Hopefully the next update will be on MOSAIC. I’m amazed by the level of confusion there.
 
I used American Flyers for years. Always had to take the course completion to the FSDO for them to complete the renewal paperwork. No issues as I was one of their FAASTeam Reps. I knew the FSDO Ops Inspectors. Renewal during COVID, I paid American Flyers to complete the paperwork. No issues with that process. I hold a Glider CFI, but the American Flyers course is driven towards Airplane and Instrument Instructors. No issues, I fly airplanes and hold an instrument rating. My last was a Glider Centric FIRC. I'm signed up again for the Glider FIRC. They do have to cover the required syllabus items for the FIRC to count. They bring a computer, and are prepared to complete the IACRA paperwork and you walk out with your renewal certificate after day 2.
 
MauleSkinner said:
Who and where, just out of curiosity?
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Glider FIRC, run by Soaring Safety Foundation, registration through Soaring Society of America. SSF schedules multiple FIRCs around the US each year. Every 2yr cycle they are in the Boston Mass area. Normally using space at the Fitchburg Mass Airport (KFIT). Just up the street from our soaring club in Sterling Mass (3B3).
 
since I lost my AceCFI is there anyone else comparable to American Flyers who will do the paperwork for me every other year for a fee? and a one-time cover charge?

I feel like AF is the only truly comparable offering. Unless they're next on the FAA hitlist. Not sure what burned Ace so thoroughly, if it was reported I've missed it.
 
BillTIZ said:
Glider FIRC, run by Soaring Safety Foundation, registration through Soaring Society of America. SSF schedules multiple FIRCs around the US each year. Every 2yr cycle they are in the Boston Mass area. Normally using space at the Fitchburg Mass Airport (KFIT). Just up the street from our soaring club in Sterling Mass (3B3).
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Ah, cool…so an in-person. I’ll have to maybe look for that if and when I lose the ability to renew based on duties and responsibilities.
 
schmookeeg said:
since I lost my AceCFI is there anyone else comparable to American Flyers who will do the paperwork for me every other year for a fee? and a one-time cover charge?

I feel like AF is the only truly comparable offering. Unless they're next on the FAA hitlist. Not sure what burned Ace so thoroughly, if it was reported I've missed it.
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Gleim does what I think you’re asking but I think you’re buying the whole shebang every renewal.
aviation.gleim.com

Flight Instructor Refresher Course with Paperless Renewal Service - Gleim Aviation

FAA-approved online course (the first of its kind) plus paperless renewal service that enables flight instructors to renew their CFI certificates without a trip to the FSDO as prescribed by 14 CFR Sec. 61.197.
aviation.gleim.com aviation.gleim.com

As does Sporty’s. I understand their FIRC is cost free; the paperless renewal service is paid at each renewal.
www.sportys.com

Paperless CFI recent experience validation (ACR processing, formerly renewal)

Congratulations on completing your Flight Instructor Refresher Course with Sporty's Academy.
www.sportys.com www.sportys.com

ETA: AF seems to do it for $30, but I think that’s the deal you’re trying to beat.

americanflyers.com

Online FIRC Course | American Flyers FIRC

The American Flyers FIRC course is online and allows you to go at your own pace. Pay once and revalidate for the rest of your career at no additional cost.
americanflyers.com americanflyers.com
 
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TCABM said:
Gleim does what I think you’re asking but I think you’re buying the whole shebang every renewal.
aviation.gleim.com

Flight Instructor Refresher Course with Paperless Renewal Service - Gleim Aviation

FAA-approved online course (the first of its kind) plus paperless renewal service that enables flight instructors to renew their CFI certificates without a trip to the FSDO as prescribed by 14 CFR Sec. 61.197.
aviation.gleim.com aviation.gleim.com

As does Sporty’s. I understand their FIRC is cost free; the paperless renewal service is paid at each renewal.
www.sportys.com

Paperless CFI recent experience validation (ACR processing, formerly renewal)

Congratulations on completing your Flight Instructor Refresher Course with Sporty's Academy.
www.sportys.com www.sportys.com

ETA: AF seems to do it for $30, but I think that’s the deal you’re trying to beat.

americanflyers.com

Online FIRC Course | American Flyers FIRC

The American Flyers FIRC course is online and allows you to go at your own pace. Pay once and revalidate for the rest of your career at no additional cost.
americanflyers.com americanflyers.com
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Thanks, yeah I've had to use Gleim for IA renewal and... the value isn't there for me to brass up each year. I know it's a pittance, but... Ace spoiled me.

I might check out Sporty's, although I tried their IFR course 100 years ago and really hated it. It felt like a scrapbooker stitched together a bunch of random youtube videos. Maybe they've improved things. :)
 
So I've started in on American Flyers. The content is match-stick dry but that's fine, I'm not doing this for entertainment value, this is one of my periodic box-tickings the FAA requires.

There is some server-side 10 minute timer that constantly idles me out. I read fast. And I am expected to take a minimum time (1 hour 32 minutes apparently -- to read about 15 minutes of content), putting me in constant tension with THIS thing:

1770324015935.png

The idea is you are supposed to match those bars to achieve the minimum time. There is nothing to twiggle on the page, no mouse interactions seem to reset it. Super annoying and somewhat stone-age, but I suppose sliiiiiiiightly more tamper-proof vs something tossed into developer console?

This little tampermonkey script keeps the server session "lit" and you can literally just watch the little time-spent timer clock upwards while you do other, better things with your life. Then read the material when the bars match again, move to next page, repeat. Annoying, but tolerably so. At least a lot better than wasting time and getting zero credit because the server can't see you scrolling and reading and clicking around the skimpy material 8 times.

1770326032469.png

(edit: I don't think XF likes javascript in comments :D )

Firmly in the "win stupid prizes" camp. Sheesh. I'd feel bad about this if I was skipping the reading and the quizzes, but I'm not. The material actually IS interesting every so often, and I'm glad to do this every 2 years, but... the material isn't really covering the time requirement very well.
 
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I've used American Flyers for ?? many years. Paid a one time fee for "Life" and I'm still living. The whole FIRC is a PITA, but it's online and you can take your time by logging in and out.
 
A1Topgun said:
I've used American Flyers for ?? many years. Paid a one time fee for "Life" and I'm still living. The whole FIRC is a PITA, but it's online and you can take your time by logging in and out.
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I'm not mad at it. What I was mad at was reading a thing in 2 minutes, needing to idle for 10 more, getting distracted by something else, coming back, re-logging in (session timeout) and getting ZERO credit for the time already spent.

Regardless, now that that's fixed, it's on par with my dearly lost AceCFI :D And I enjoyed the quick little nerd-spite challenge as an amuse-bouche.
 
I've used Gleim (BORING), King (OK but dated videos), and more recently AOPA (better than Defensive Driving Course, with which I have some experience). Online renewal seamless. I'll probable use them again.
 
I really like Aviation Seminars online FIRC. I used American Flyers prior, and tried Aviation Seminars on a recommendation.

Aviation Seminars does a nice job. I actually enjoy their FIRC and come out learning something new every time.
They record their two day in person FIRC and post in an online format. After each topic there is a 10 question quiz.

Plus, they usually have specials where you can purchase the course for $125 (includes IACRA processing).I don’t mind spending $125 every two years, especially since I feel I’ve gotten my money’s worth.

If you use a different FIRC provider, and try them out, the cost is $25 (from what I recall).

I really like their online FIRC, but YMMV.
 
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kgruber said:
I used to go to the three-day "in-person" courses. I "think" they went for two days. I've used Gleim and Aviation Seminars.

I got a card from American Flyers. I have never used them, but probably could have saved a lot of $$$$ over the last 60 years.


What is your favorite?
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Definitely American flyers! Decades ago I:

1. Renewed by submitting my flight records to an inspector at the FSDO. WHAT A CIRCUS, never again.
2. Gleim on line. Full price every time. Ok,but pricey.
3. In person weekend seminar. OK if you live close. Don’t have to pay or get lodging.
4. A DPE I used would automatically renew you if you sent 3- applicants in 2-yr cycle that passed on first attempt. He retired…
5. In 2005, I paid $99 for lifetime renewal w/American flyers. I have now renewed 10 times with them. Until 2013, I would take my paperwork to Atlanta FSDO for the 8710 submission. A new trainee (furloughed airline pilot) did the 8710. Screwed up the application date, took me 9mos to get my paperwork fixed and a valid certificate.

I pay the $40 or so for American Flyers to submit paperwork. No problems! Saves me time, money, and aggravation!
 
Doc Holliday said:
Calling an Inspector friend and having him renew it under duties and responsibilities.
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Is there a proficiency requirement or educational aspect to this, or is it a box check??


These days I ether use kings or if there is a educational or addition that’s what I prefer, I’d like to do my commercial glided and hopefully shortly after CFIG
 
Do not use Aviation Seminars. If they cancel your course, you will never get the money back!
 
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