• a minimum of three takeoffs and landings in that category and class of aircraft within the last 90 days, in order to fly with passengers. Landings must be done at night if you are going to be carrying passengers at night.
• a BFR

BFR's are a requirement for currency, not simply for carrying passengers, but conducting any flight if the pilot is to have any official duties, such as pilot in command. For example, suppose a pilot earned the private license on August 10th 2010. He would then have 24 months, or until August 31st 2012 to complete the BFR requirement.

The requirement can be met in any of three different ways:

• successful completion of a test for another pilot rating (for instance, earning a commercial or instrument rating)
• completion of the "Wings" program
• a flight review conducted by a qualified flight instructor

The review must be conducted in the most advanced/complex aircraft which is representative of the pilot's normal flying. If he routinely flies single-engine and multi-engine airplanes, the review would be accomplished in the multi-engine.

Contents of a Flight Review

When a pilot needs a flight review, he contacts a flight instructor. This can be any flight instructor, whether independent or working for a flight school, as long as the instructor is qualified to fly that type of aircraft. At the scheduled time, the pilot shows up with the aircraft (if he has his own), medical certificate, logbook documenting experience, and pilot certificate.

The Federal Aviation Administration gives instructors plenty of latitude regarding how a BFR is to be conducted. The requirements consist of a minimum of one hour of oral review, and one hour of flight. There are two possible outcomes to any BFR:

• pass: when the instructor deems the pilot to be fully competent, and signs an endorsement in the pilot's logbook, allowing him to continue for another 24 months
• more training required: when the instructor believes the pilot is lacking in some important area(s), and will require additional training

Note, that there is no "fail" option. If the pilot's performance or knowledge is not satisfactory, the time is logged only as instruction, and the pilot can either return at a later date after more study or practice, or continue the training right then, until the instructor is ready to endorse the pilot. Some BFR's are completed in the minimum time, and some require significant additional training.

The most important thing to understand is the nature of the BFR: it exists solely to help ensure that a pilot is capable before taking to the skies. Rather than being a test, it should be thought of as training for continuing proficiency.

The instructor has the latitude of determining which subject areas to test, though the pilot must be proficient to the extent of his certificate requirements (commercial-level proficiency for a commercial pilot, private-level for a private pilot). The process is remarkably similar to a checkride, except for the lack of the "fail" option. Before the beginning of the BFR, the instructor should spend a little bit of time getting to know the pilot, in order to craft his questioning in a way that is most beneficial and relevant to the pilot.

Instructor's Perspective

Often, the best way to start a review, is to ask the pilot what kind of flying he normally does, and examine his logbook. I always spend a little time getting to know the pilot first. One of my first questions is always "are there any areas of flight that you feel will need work, or knowledge that you want to specifically discuss?"

A pilot that is open, and freely expresses his confusions or areas of uncertainty, is going to spend less time and money completing the BFR. That question is not a means of tricking the pilot into giving me something to stump him on. I am there to help him succeed. I have always wanted to see the applicant pass. Sometimes it takes plenty of time to get there. Only rarely, have I ever have to tell someone to go home and study, because he would never pass it that day.

The key to remember is the endorsement. When an instructor signs his name in a pilot's logbook, that instructor is then potentially held responsible for anything the pilot does wrong later. I love aviation, and want people to succeed, and enjoy it as much as I do. But I will not sacrifice my reputation or licenses to endorse someone who shouldn't be there.

At the same time, I recognize the difference between required maneuvers and practical flying. I want the review to be reasonably passable, while still being a challenge. I want that pilot to learn something new before the end of it. So I might not specifically test turns around a point for the private pilot, or chandelles for the commercial. Some important things are not taught directly in the books. Every instructor has his own opinions on what those things are, so your choice of CFI for the review will affect how that review is conducted.

FAA Guide to Conducting an Effective Flight Review

AOPA Pilot’s Guide to the Flight Review