FAA Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI)Planning Instructional Activity and Instructor ResponsibilitiesMedium
A flight instructor's certificate expired 6 months ago because the instructor did not complete a Flight Instructor Refresher Course or meet the activity-based renewal requirements before expiration. To regain instructor privileges now, the individual must...
- Acomplete a Flight Instructor Refresher Course within the next 3 months
- Bpass a practical test that meets the renewal requirements of 14 CFR 61.197
- Cobtain a new second-class medical certificate
- Dsimply log recent pilot-in-command experience
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: B. pass a practical test that meets the renewal requirements of 14 CFR 61.197
Under 14 CFR 61.197, an expired flight instructor certificate can only be renewed by passing a practical test that meets the renewal requirements; the FIRC or activity-based options are only available before expiration or within a limited grace window, not six months after the fact.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. A FIRC alone cannot reinstate a certificate that has already lapsed for this long.
- C. A medical certificate is unrelated to CFI certificate renewal.
- D. Logging PIC time does not restore instructor privileges.
CFI Certificate Renewal (61.197)
A flight instructor certificate can be renewed by FIRC, activity, or practical test before expiration; once expired, renewal requires a practical test.
- Renewal options before/near expiration include FIRC or activity-based methods
- An expired certificate generally requires a practical test to reinstate
- Maintaining currency is an ongoing instructor responsibility
Memory trick: Miss the renewal window, and you must retest to fly back in.