A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) typically covers a review of the Federal Aviation Regulations (FARs) Part 91 in accordance with FARS 61.56, and review key flight maneuvers tailored to pilot experience and flying habits. The specific maneuvers and ground topics are at the instructor’s discretion but often include the following areas. [1, 2]
14 CFR 61 E
For an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating:
(i) Preflight preparation;
(ii) Preflight procedures;
(iii) Airport and seaplane base operations;
(iv) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds;
(v) Performance maneuvers;
(vi) Ground reference maneuvers;
(vii) Navigation;
(viii) Slow flight and stalls;
(ix) Basic instrument maneuvers;
(x) Emergency operations;
(xi) Night operations, except as provided in § 61.110 of this part; and
(xii) Postflight procedures.
Ground instruction
The minimum one hour of ground instruction focuses on regulatory knowledge, aeronautical decision-making, and flight planning. Common topics include:
- FAR Part 91: A review of the general operating and flight rules, focusing on any recent changes.
- Airspace: Reviewing different types of airspace, their requirements, and any recent updates.
- Aeronautical decision-making (ADM): Evaluating your approach to risk management, scenario-based problem-solving, and managing external pressures.
- Weather: Reviewing how to interpret weather reports (like METARs and TAFs), forecasts, and their effects on your flight planning.
- Pilot and aircraft requirements: Discussing pilot recency requirements and the airworthiness and maintenance records for your specific aircraft.
- Cross-country flight planning: Many CFIs will have you complete a mock cross-country flight plan to cover topics like route selection, weather analysis, and weight and balance calculations. [1, 3, 4, 5]
Flight instruction
The minimum one hour of flight instruction is focused on evaluating your stick-and-rudder skills, emergency procedures, and airmanship. The CFI will tailor the flight to your experience level and how you primarily use your pilot certificate.
Common maneuvers include:
- Preflight and normal operations: A review of your preflight inspection, taxi procedures, and communication skills.
- Takeoffs and landings: Demonstrating normal and crosswind takeoffs and landings in the traffic pattern. The CFI may also ask for a simulated soft-field or short-field landing.
- Slow flight: Operating the aircraft at minimum controllable airspeed to demonstrate proficiency at high angles of attack.
- Stalls: Executing full-power and power-off stalls and demonstrating proper recovery techniques. This is a crucial area of emphasis as loss of control is a leading cause of accidents.
- Steep turns: Executing a steep turn while maintaining altitude to test your coordination and aircraft control.
- Emergency procedures: Simulating emergencies such as an engine failure during takeoff or in-flight, as well as electrical or avionics failures.
- Ground reference maneuvers: Depending on your training and experience, this may include maneuvers like turns around a point or a rectangular course.
- Navigation: Demonstrating your ability to use VFR navigation techniques and communication, including GPS and autopilot management if your aircraft is so equipped.
- For instrument-rated pilots, this would also include instrument procedures and tasks. [7, 8, 9, 10]
A standard airworthiness certificate remains valid for as long as the aircraft meets its approved type design, is in a condition for safe operation, and the maintenance, preventative maintenance, and alterations are performed in accordance with 14 CFR Parts 21, 43, and 91.
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