CFI Renewal w/Gold Seal

MD-11Loader

MD-11Loader

Well-Known Member
My CFI is up in July, and I have 13 students who have passed a checkride in the last year. In IACRA it basically says that I need to prove that I am eligible. Wondering what you guys brought to the FSDO as proof? Also, If I add a gold seal, do I need to need to do a CFI refresher for 2014 or is the addition of the seal enough to renew? Otherwise, I will go through AOPA and renew. Thanks.
 
I thought gold seal is just a status symbol.
You still must complete the refresher.
You had 13 passes out of how many? 80% pass rate is required.

From FAA 8900.1
VOLUME 5 AIRMAN CERTIFICATION
CHAPTER 2 TITLE 14 CFR PART 61 CERTIFICATION OF PILOTS AND FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS

Section 13 Issue a Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate

E. Required Criteria. Inspect the applicant’s certificates and record of flight instruction to determine if the applicant meets the following criteria at the time of application:


1) Holds a Flight Instructor Certificate and, at least, a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating or an ATP Certificate (unrestricted or restricted) with instrument privileges. Glider flight instructors need not hold an instrument rating;

2) Holds a Ground Instructor Certificate with an advanced or instrument ground instructor rating; and

3) Within the past 24 months has accomplished one of the following:

· Trained and recommended at least 10 applicants for certificates or ratings, and at least 80 percent of these applicants must have passed the flight test on their first attempt;
· Conducted at least 20 practical tests as a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) or 20 graduation tests as chief flight instructor for an approved pilot school course; or
· A combination of the above two (two practical tests equal one trained and recommended applicant).
 
I had an excel spreadsheet with my students names, type of checkride, result, date, and if it was THEIR first attempt or not.

I showed it to the inspector, emailed him a copy and got the gold seal done. It renewed my CFI and gave me the gold seal. I did fill out the iacra beforehand, why we still have to go and do it in person IDK.
 
The inspector can check your record in the "system," and it will show all of the students you have signed-off along with your pass rate. In case the record is not accurate, I would bring some type of document showing each sign-off you are using as the basis for your renewal. Since you are renewing by activity (80% pass rate), you will not need to complete a FIRC. Your renewal month will be the same so long as you show up in the preceding 3 month window.

Have you confirmed your meet all of the Gold Seal requirements? 80% pass rate, at least 10 sign-offs for the first attempt, AGI/IGI, etc? If so, congratulations!!
 
If you meet the requirements you may want to go to IACRA and create an application for cfi renewal based on duties and responsibilities. Make sure to click on the Gold Seal button. Then give your FTN number to the inspector.
 
Airboss said:
If you meet the requirements you may want to go to IACRA and create an application for cfi renewal based on duties and responsibilities. Make sure to click on the Gold Seal button. Then give your FTN number to the inspector.
Click to expand...

Yes and no. The application would be based upon activity, not duties and responsibilities.

I'd also recommend calling for an appointment in advance, just to avoid possible frustration. Then take a completed paper application with you too. That way, just in case the inspector can't get into IACRA or some such problem, you can quickly come up with a Plan B.
 
PropDriver said:
Does a gold seal CFI certificate actually have a gold seal on it?
Click to expand...

Kind of. As Ajax wrote it isn't all that "gold".

However, under the heading of trivia for you, here is one. If you look at your pilot certificate, you'll notice it has a blue seal on it. Long ago, every airman certificate (mechanic, pilot, controller, flight engineer, ground instructor) had a black seal. That was in the days when a person did not have to have any hood time to get a private pilot certificate. When the regulations were changed to require three hours of hood time, everyone who qualified under the new regulations was given a blue seal on their certificate. It was used as encouragement to get people to go out and get some hood time. They could bring their logbook with three hours of hood time into a FSDO and apply for a new blue seal certificate.
 
One thing to learn from my mistake.

Make sure when you get your new CFI certificate that on the back the expiration date is two years later then the issue date. When I got my Gold Seal, the FAA forgot to renew the CFI portion (even though I checked the box for renewal). Long story short, I had to do a reinstatement ride with the Feds.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top