Wings Flight reviews

[4RNB]

My BFR is due shortly. I've only had one before, was kind of wrapped into new plane training and complex endorsement. I've completed the online portion of wings stuff (aka the ground portion) but lack understanding of the flight portion. It seems any CFI can go online without a wings account to sign off. My question revolves around the three flight credits. I've looked at and printed out the two flight activity worksheets, each of which make it look like a full private pilot test. But my reading of things seems to indicate I might only need to do three different individual items.

Can anyone better flesh this out for me?
Can I just go out and do stalls for a credit, emergency descent for a credit, and then one activity for an elective credit?

 

[midlifeflyer]

I give WINGS-based flight reviews regularly (and receive them myself).

The completion of a WINGS phase requires 3 ground credits and three flight credits. You will notice that both ground and flight Activities are categorize3d into 3 Topics. You need one of each Topic. On the flight end, while IMO, WINGS is bet used for periodic recurrent training rather than a one-time event, a WINGS-knowledgeable CFI is able to create a plan of action that combines three flight credits into one flight that doesn't take any more time than a more traditional flight review.

No, you can't just "do stalls for a credit." The specific tasks to be accomplished for a flight credit are listed with the task. See, for example, this Fight Topic 3 Activity on "Performance Flight and Ground Reference Maneuvers."

Typically, it's the CFI who does the tasks with the pilot who signs off. But there are CFIs who just don't do wings and another CFI can do the signoff - if the endorsing CFI is satisfied the flight Activities were completed to ACS standards. For me, that means something in writing from the CFI who did the training.

My favorite WINGS story is still the flight review I received during COVID where I obtained the final credit to complete my flight review without an airplane.

 

[4RNB]

I give WINGS-based flight reviews regularly (and receive them myself).

The completion of a WINGS phase requires 3 ground credits and three flight credits. You will notice that both ground and flight Activities are categorize3d into 3 Topics. You need one of each Topic. On the flight end, while IMO, WINGS is bet used for periodic recurrent training rather than a one-time event, a WINGS-knowledgeable CFI is able to create a plan of action that combines three flight credits into one flight that doesn't take any more time than a more traditional flight review.

No, you can't just "do stalls for a credit." The specific tasks to be accomplished for a flight credit are listed with the task. See, for example, this Fight Topic 3 Activity on "Performance Flight and Ground Reference Maneuvers."

Typically, it's the CFI who does the tasks with the pilot who signs off. But there are CFIs who just don't do wings and another CFI can do the signoff - if the endorsing CFI is satisfied the flight Activities were completed to ACS standards. For me, that means something in writing from the CFI who did the training.

My favorite WINGS story is still the flight review I received during COVID where I obtained the final credit to complete my flight review without an airplane.

Thanks, PM sent.

 

[40YearDream]

I just recently completed 'Basic Wings' - but the CFI I worked with for the flight portion had no clue (at first), nor did any of his fellow CFIs. To his credit, he made the effort to figure out what he and I needed to do. Apparently this is not given much (if any) attention in CFI training, though FAA 'FAST' seems to be generally promoting the program.
I was surprised - although in hind sight, it probably stems from the fact that the majority of flight instruction is for youngsters aiming for a professional pilot job. Those kids aren't worried about the 'Wings' program.

 

[RussR]

I've posted this before, so I'll just quote it here instead of retyping it. There's not really much value in completing a phase of WINGS all at one time in lieu of a FR.

That's the most significant problem, in my opinion, in the way that the WINGS program is marketed. Yes, completion of a phase counts as a flight review, but the problem is that that aspect is typically mentioned FIRST, so pilots think it's an "every two years instead of a flight review" kind of thing. Which it's not.

If it's been two years since your last flight review, doing a phase of WINGS doesn't make sense from a financial or time commitment standpoint.

Rather, WINGS is designed for those pilots who want to do recurrent training more often anyway - meeting up with a CFI every few months to sharpen those skills. If those sessions are done with an eye toward creditable WINGS activities, then you can easily get credit for a flight review in addition to improving your skills. That's pretty much the whole goal of WINGS, to encourage continual education and training.

But to show up 23 months after your last flight review and expect to save time and money by doing WINGS, yeah that's not how it works.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I just recently completed 'Basic Wings' - but the CFI I worked with for the flight portion had no clue (at first), nor did any of his fellow CFIs. To his credit, he made the effort to figure out what he and I needed to do. Apparently this is not given much (if any) attention in CFI training, though FAA 'FAST' seems to be generally promoting the program.
I was surprised - although in hind sight, it probably stems from the fact that the majority of flight instruction is for youngsters aiming for a professional pilot job. Those kids aren't worried about the 'Wings' program.

I think there are several reasons. Even aside from WINGS, I've been to CFI-targeted seminars where it was only us older guys who showed up to share experiences and techniques. The younger instructors seem to eschew that. Maybe it's being too busy teaching at the certificate/rating level while trying to build their own time for their careers.

Another reason is the clients. I mentioned that I think the best usage is to do the three flight credits at different times though the year. Have concerns with crosswind landings? Grab a day with a decent crosswind and we can knock off a Flight Activity that day. Want to do it all at once? That's fine, but what the benefit of a CFI who is not familiar with the system spending more time trying to put together a Plan of Action (unpaid) than an hour of ground (paid)?

The website is horrible and difficult to navigate (which makes the previous sentence even more applicable). I did a team-teach seminar on the program several years ago. My piece was tips and tricks in working the program. I got lots of compliments on it only because none of the other information sources talked about that. Unless there's a savvy client who comes to them saying, "I want to do this..." it's a bother to even find the activities, let along put together a plan of action to combine several.

 

[midlifeflyer]

I've posted this before, so I'll just quote it here instead of retyping it. There's not really much value in completing a phase of WINGS all at one time in lieu of a FR.

To your point, I've met ASIs , even those associated with the program, who didn't think in terms of doing it in stages. I mentioned my COVID flight review. In that oneI had two flight credits from two individual flights. I also had a flight a few months earlier with a CFI friend in his airplane. He let me fly his baby but since neither of us needed dual, either given or received, I logged the flight but didn't bother logging it as dual received.

Along comes COVID and my flight review expiration. I went back and looked at the flight. Surprisingly, what we did satisfied a Flight Activity; the "Topic" I was missing. So I asked my friend if they would sign it off as dual (you gotta love eLogbooks) and authorize the single credit for it.

 

[BillTIZ]

I just recently completed 'Basic Wings' - but the CFI I worked with for the flight portion had no clue (at first), nor did any of his fellow CFIs. To his credit, he made the effort to figure out what he and I needed to do. Apparently this is not given much (if any) attention in CFI training, though FAA 'FAST' seems to be generally promoting the program.
I was surprised - although in hind sight, it probably stems from the fact that the majority of flight instruction is for youngsters aiming for a professional pilot job. Those kids aren't worried about the 'Wings' program.

I am a CFIG and an FAASTeam Rep. Interestingly I had never completed a Wings FR. I desired for my FR this year to complete a "Self Launch" endorsement for glider flying. I knew a CFI-G that owned a Stemme S6, self launch touring motor-glider. He was a new CFIG and not familiar with Wings. The previous month I completed my FIRC with an in person class conducted by the Soaring Safety Foundation.

I printed the 3 flight activities that would be required to complete the Wings FR. Introduced the young CFIG to FAASAFETY.gov and the Wings Program. We completed my training for the self launch endorsement and completed the maneuvers required by the Wings flight activities. I then worked with him to complete the certifications faasafety.gov and the resulting 61.56 endorsement received from the FAA.

I then furnished him with a list of flight activities that he can use with his students and others and pamphlets on how to complete Wings FR. He also instructs in power and provides tail wheel endorsements and other FR signoffs. I also showed him how to find and recommend online ground courses for his students and others that needed FR completions in airplanes.

I hold Comm ASEL, AMEL, Glider, Instrument Airplane and Instructor for Glider only.

 

[Jim_R]

Typically, it's the CFI who does the tasks with the pilot who signs off.

Sorry, I'm a dummy. Is this a simple typo with "CFI" and "the pilot" accidentally reversed, or am I missing something big here?

 

[Clip4]

Sorry, I'm a dummy. Is this a simple typo with "CFI" and "the pilot" accidentally reversed, or am I missing something big here?

The Wings activity is instruction. There is a bit of a tailoring process meeting both the requirements of the Wings program and the other training desires of the pilot. CFI makes the lesson plan (tasks) in conjunction (agreement) with the Wings applicant.

 

[Clip4]

I am a CFIG and an FAASTeam Rep. Interestingly I had never completed a Wings FR. I desired for my FR this year to complete a "Self Launch" endorsement for glider flying. I knew a CFI-G that owned a Stemme S6, self launch touring motor-glider. He was a new CFIG and not familiar with Wings. The previous month I completed my FIRC with an in person class conducted by the Soaring Safety Foundation.

I printed the 3 flight activities that would be required to complete the Wings FR. Introduced the young CFIG to FAASAFETY.gov and the Wings Program. We completed my training for the self launch endorsement and completed the maneuvers required by the Wings flight activities. I then worked with him to complete the certifications faasafety.gov and the resulting 61.56 endorsement received from the FAA.

I then furnished him with a list of flight activities that he can use with his students and others and pamphlets on how to complete Wings FR. He also instructs in power and provides tail wheel endorsements and other FR signoffs. I also showed him how to find and recommend online ground courses for his students and others that needed FR completions in airplanes.

I hold Comm ASEL, AMEL, Glider, Instrument Airplane and Instructor for Glider only.

There is no such thing as a Wings flight review. If one completes a Wings phase, they are not required to have a flight review, nor is the CFI required to endorse a flight review in the pilot’s logbook.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Sorry, I'm a dummy. Is this a simple typo with "CFI" and "the pilot" accidentally reversed, or am I missing something big here?

I don’t think it was reversed. WINGS flight activities are endorsed by instructors to count. I’m not sure what you thought I meant.

 

[midlifeflyer]

There is no such thing as a Wings flight review. If one completes a Wings phase, they are not required to have a flight review, nor is the CFI required to endorse a flight review in the pilot’s logbook.

I use the phrase because successful completion of a Phase gets a documented Flight Review, although it’s directly from the FAA, rather than from the instructor. Even get a certificate.

 

[Jim_R]

I don’t think it was reversed. WINGS flight activities are endorsed by instructors to count. I’m not sure what you thought I meant.

Sorry. I'm not familiar with WINGS, so I don't know how it works. What I'm familiar with is that when I take dual training, I (the pilot) perform tasks and at the end my CFI signs my logbook. When I've gotten IPCs and BFRs, I've done tasks and my CFI(I) has signed my logbook. So when I read in your post that "it's the CFI who does the tasks with the pilot who signs off" that sounds like the reverse of what I'm familiar with, and why I asked if I was missing something.

@Clip4's explanation helped.

 

[midlifeflyer]

Sorry. I'm not familiar with WINGS, so I don't know how it works. What I'm familiar with is that when I take dual training, I (the pilot) perform tasks and at the end my CFI signs my logbook. When I've gotten IPCs and BFRs, I've done tasks and my CFI(I) has signed my logbook. So when I read in your post that "it's the CFI who does the tasks with the pilot who signs off" that sounds like the reverse of what I'm familiar with, and why I asked if I was missing something.

@Clip4's explanation helped.

Sorry yeah. Inartful phrasing. Basically, the system recognizes that not all CFIs do WINGS, so it includes the ability for a different CFI to do the WINGS verification.

For example, you do a flight with a CFI which meets the criteria for a WINGS Flight Activity. You ask your CFI to go faasafety.gov and issue credit for the activity. For whatever reason, your CFI doesn't want to be bothered. Not int he system. Doesn't care about WINGS. Whatever. The system allows you to go to another CFI, even one who has never flown with you, and that CFI is authorized to issue the credit if that CFI is satisfied the Activity was accomplished.

 

[MauleSkinner]

Sorry, I'm a dummy. Is this a simple typo with "CFI" and "the pilot" accidentally reversed, or am I missing something big here?

It’s more clear if you include the sentences that followed.

 

[Jim_R]

It’s more clear if you include the sentences that followed.

Sorry, maybe it's like the "Magic Eye" pictures or the gold/white vs. blue/black dress or something, but I just couldn't parse the first sentence to match the following ones. I've got it now, though.

 

[Clip4]

I use the phrase because successful completion of a Phase gets a documented Flight Review, although it’s directly from the FAA, rather than from the instructor. Even get a certificate.
View attachment 152891

This is to alleviate the confusion from pilots who don’t understand completion of a wings phase satisfies the flight review requirement (as does a practical test) and the FAA is maintaining a record. The pilot may pilot toss the certificate in the round file.

 

[midlifeflyer]

This is to alleviate the confusion from pilots who don’t understand completion of a wings phase satisfies the flight review requirement (as does a practical test) and the FAA is maintaining a record. The pilot may pilot toss the certificate in the round file.

True. But it can be useful for pilots who present their logbook for a transient rental or just want the record in there. I mention that because I may have some kind of record on those. At this point, it’s in my eLog, but pilots with paper logs can paste the smaller one somewhere.