Flight Review Requirements: What It Is, When It Expires, and What to Expect
Every certificated pilot must complete a flight review every 24 calendar months to act as pilot in command. It's one of the most fundamental currency requirements in GA — and one of the most commonly misunderstood.
What Is a Flight Review?
A flight review (formerly called a biennial flight review or BFR) is a minimum 1-hour ground review and 1-hour flight review conducted by a certificated flight instructor. It is not a test or checkride — you cannot fail a flight review. The CFI reviews your knowledge and flying skills, and if satisfied, endorses your logbook.
The review is required by 14 CFR 61.56.
When Does It Expire?
A flight review is valid for 24 calendar months from the month it was completed. "Calendar months" means the end of the same month two years later.
Example: You complete a flight review on March 15, 2024. It's valid through March 31, 2026 — not March 15, 2026. The month itself is the unit, not the specific date.
This distinction matters. Pilots who think their review expires on the exact date two years later are sometimes accidentally out of currency for a few weeks.
What's Required?
At minimum:
- 1 hour of ground instruction (regulations, airspace, pilot responsibilities)
- 1 hour of flight instruction in an aircraft for which you're rated
In practice, most flight reviews take 2-3 hours total and cover more ground. A good CFI will tailor the review to areas you haven't practiced recently.
What to Bring
- Your pilot certificate
- Current medical certificate or BasicMed documentation
- Your logbook (the CFI will add the endorsement here)
- Aircraft logbooks if using your own aircraft
- Current FAR/AIM or access to current regulations
What to Expect in the Review
Ground portion: Typically covers recent regulatory changes, airspace review (especially if you primarily fly in one type), emergency procedures, and any areas of knowledge the CFI wants to cover. Come prepared to discuss your recent flying.
Flight portion: Usually includes basic airwork, stalls or stall awareness, emergency procedures, and any maneuvers the CFI identifies as needing attention. There's no prescribed maneuver list — the CFI has discretion.
If the CFI isn't satisfied: The CFI can decline to sign off and require additional instruction before endorsing. This is rare but possible. There is no failure notation on your record — the CFI simply doesn't endorse until they're satisfied with your proficiency.
What Counts as a Flight Review Substitute?
You don't always need a dedicated flight review. Under 61.56(d), the following activities constitute a flight review:
- Completing a pilot certificate or rating practical test
- Completing a proficiency check for a type rating or instrument currency
- Completing an FAA Wings phase (if it includes the required flight activities)
- Completing a military check flight that meets the requirements
Many instrument-rated pilots renew their instrument currency and flight review simultaneously by flying with a CFII.
Track Your Flight Review Automatically
Aeradex's Currency & Medical tracker (free for all Hangar accounts) tracks your flight review expiration alongside your BasicMed dates. Enter the date of your last review and the dashboard shows your status with automated email reminders at 60 and 30 days before it expires.
No more doing calendar math or logging in somewhere to check. Aeradex tracks it for you and emails you when it's time to schedule.
Planning Your Review
Don't wait until you're expired to schedule a flight review. Good CFIs book up, especially in busy flying seasons, and finding one on short notice can be difficult. The 60-day reminder from Aeradex is intentionally set to give you enough lead time to schedule without stress.
Use the flight review as an opportunity, not just a checkbox. Two hours of intentional dual instruction every two years is a genuinely useful safety investment for any pilot.