Ground Instructor Certificate Renewel

D

djackd

Well-Known Member
[this system won't let me change the thread name....I meant renewal]

I received my ground instructor certificate in February of this year.

According to 61.217 (see below), that certificate essentially expires for me in two months unless I am employed as (or act as) a Flight Instructor or Ground Instructor, complete a FIRC, or get endorsed by a CFI. I am not employed as a ground instructor and do not intend to do so between now and the expiration date.

I am hoping to do a FIRC to meet the requirement. Do attendees at FIRCs have to be Flight Instructors to get credit, or can I go as a ground instructor? 61.217(c) would seem to suggest that I can. Does anyone else have any experience with this issue?

----------------------
§ 61.217 Recent experience requirements
The holder of a ground instructor certificate may not perform the duties of a ground instructor unless the person can show that one of the following occurred during the preceding 12 calendar months:
(a) Employment or activity as a ground instructor...
(b) Employment or activity as a flight instructor...
(c) Completion of an approved flight instructor refresher course and receipt of a graduation certificate for that course; or
(d) An endorsement from an authorized instructor...

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/tex...&node=14:2.0.1.1.2&idno=14#14:2.0.1.1.2.9.1.4
 
Your certificate does not expire...ever.
61.217 is about recency of experience. If you have not been active (not necessarily employed) as in (a), or (b) or (c), then you can do (d) to get current.
 
What nosehair said. The logic is like a pilot who holds a pilot certificate but has not made and logged three takeoffs and landings in class in the last 90 days. They are not current to carry passengers, but their certificate is still valid.
 
Ok, so "expire" was the wrong word, but what about FIRC for ground instructors?

I've been told it would be a good review anyway as I get ready for my CFI checkride. Does anyone know if non-CFI's can attend and use for ground instructor currency?
 
Yes, a non-cfi may attend a FIRC, and use it for currency. By using the word 'attend', I guess you mean an actual physical FIRC. You may also do the on-line FIRC. There are no pre-qualifying requisites for either.
It is a good way to refresh.
 
I have used American Flyers for the past 4 or 5 renewals because it is a one-time sign-up fee. Subsequent renewals are free for a life-time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top