Urgent - Renewal

FlyChicaga

FlyChicaga

Vintage Restoration
Ok, I just realized that this month my CFI expires. I need to renew it. I figure I should renew it! Any suggestions where I can do the renewal? I need to get this done quick, before the end of the month.

If it does expire, I just need to take a CFI checkride again, correct? Do I need checkrides for all my instructor ratings? CFI/CFII/MEI? It's been a while..........
 
Save yourself a lot of grief.....renew before it expires. I completed mine last month through Gleim. All in all it was pretty good. I researched all the online options and decided on Gleim. My second choice would have been AOPA/Jep.

The renewal covers all instructor ratings.

L.
 
Whats your experience in the last 24 months as far as flight instructing goes? Reason being, I just renewed my CFI through the FSDO, so long as you have (dont quote exact numbers) I think 5 sign offs with at least an 80% pass rate within the previous 24 cal. months you only have to make an appointment with the FSDO, and provide documentation of sign offs..(in my case notes written in the back of my logbook with date, name of applicant, type of check ride, examiner, and pass/fail was enough). Then after that they reissue you a new CFI good for another 2 years.

Good Luck
 
I renew mine online through Gliem (sp?). I can usually knock it out over the weekend. I think it'a about $99 or so. There are several online renewal services.

Yes, if it expires, you will have to do the practical test again (a real pain for those of us away from GA) or do an add-on CFI rating.
 
I do Gleim as well. I once let my CFI expire and it was a major mistake. When I did the checkride to renew with a DE, I was flying a 172. The DE said I'd lose the MEI cause I wasn't flying a twin, could only renew CFI and CFII. After the ride, he was referencing my old certificate as he wrote out the new one and wrote MEI on the new one. Not sure if it was an accident or what but I kept my mouth shut. Gleim is the best way to do it online with the minimum of pain. Be careful, though, as they have a minimum time prior to your expiration to process your paperwork. You can find out at their website.
 
Yeah I'll have to go to the FSDO. I didn't even realize it was up for renewal, since I haven't instructed in over two years. I got my MEI after I instructed, so I've never actually instructed since I've received my "final" CFI certificate.
 
American Flyers, Flight Instructor Renewal Course. $125 and renew for life. Good deal. I did it.....pretty painless. Here's the LINK .
 
No I have to go to the FSDO with proof of doing the refresher course, because you need 3 months lead time to renew using most of these services.

I really doubt I'll instruct in the future, especially considering my minimal instructor experience. But I would like to fly as an IOE Check Airman and Line Check Airman someday, so I think I need the CFI...
 
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But I would like to fly as an IOE Check Airman and Line Check Airman someday, so I think I need the CFI

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The GA CFI and an IOE instructor for the airlines are two totally different things. A type rating, time in seat based on your company's requirements and a FAA observation ride are the only requirements to becoming an IOE instructor. Basically the same thing, minus the FAA observation, for company sim instructor.
 
BTW, I think you can take the online renewal course and it'll print you out a completion certificate that you can take down to the local FSDO.
 
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No I have to go to the FSDO with proof of doing the refresher course, because you need 3 months lead time to renew using most of these services.

I really doubt I'll instruct in the future, especially considering my minimal instructor experience. But I would like to fly as an IOE Check Airman and Line Check Airman someday, so I think I need the CFI...

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Yeah, I had to do the same thing. I lucked out, it only took about 20 mins. at the FSDO.
 
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No I have to go to the FSDO with proof of doing the refresher course, because you need 3 months lead time to renew using most of these services.

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I did mine last month with American Flyers. You basicly study the stuff on their website for the required amount of time, take the quizes, and print your certificate.

If you want them to do the paperwork for you, you have to mail it in.

I just took the certificate to the FSDO, filled out an 8710, and they handed me my new temp CFI.

Very easy.
 
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When I did the checkride to renew with a DE, I was flying a 172. The DE said I'd lose the MEI cause I wasn't flying a twin, could only renew CFI and CFII.

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That sounded odd, so I referenced 61.199(a): "The holder of a flight instructor certificate may exchange that certificate for a new certificate with the same ratings by passing a practical test as prescribed in 61.183(h) of this part for one of the ratings listed on the expired flight instructor certificate."

As for passing a checkride for an additional CFI rating (e.g.- have an expired CFI/II and want to knock out an MEI and re-instatement ride at the same time), as far as I know it can't be done. Had a friend who tried that a few years ago. It has to be a ride for one of the ratings listed in the old cert (italicized above).

I did the American Flyers thing 2 years ago, and was satisfied. Only complaints were that the course wasn't too well designed and I particularly disliked the overly demanding GPS section at the end. However, as a poor CFI, couldn't beat $99 for life time renewal!

As for the time concern....this is something you'll have to get done right away. The flyers course requires 16 hours of study time that took me about 1 to 2 weeks to get finished comfortably. I would also avoid the ACR option as I believe it takes longer and costs more. I found it much easier and quicker to print out the certificate, fill out my own 8710 and drive down to the FSDO. Saved me $25 too!

Good luck!
 
With the AOPA thing you just have to finish and send it in by the end of the month for you to retain your current date. It takes a good while to do it. There is 16 lessons that take about 40-60 min each. Just finished it a few weeks ago. I recomend it, it wasnt to bad at all.
 
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