FAR 61.56 — Flight Review
FAR 61.56 explains the flight review: 1 hour ground, 1 hour flight, every 24 calendar months. Learn what's required and exceptions for pilots.
In Plain English
FAR 61.56 is the rule behind the well-known "flight review" (often called a BFR). To act as pilot in command, you must have completed a flight review within the previous 24 calendar months.
A standard flight review consists of:
- 1 hour of ground training covering the current general operating and flight rules of Part 91, and
- 1 hour of flight training covering maneuvers and procedures the instructor deems necessary to show you can safely exercise the privileges of your certificate.
The review must be given by an authorized instructor in an aircraft for which you are rated, and your logbook must be endorsed certifying satisfactory completion.
Several substitutes count in lieu of a flight review, including:
- A practical test or proficiency check for a certificate, rating, or operating privilege
- A flight instructor practical test or reinstatement check
- One or more phases of an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program (e.g., WINGS)
Glider pilots may substitute three instructional flights to traffic pattern altitude. Student pilots with a current solo endorsement are exempt. This rule matters because flying as PIC without a current flight review is a violation — even if all your other currency requirements are met.
Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.56§ 61.56 Flight review.
(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (f) of this section, a flight review consists of a minimum of 1 hour of flight training and 1 hour of ground training. The review must include:
(1) A review of the current general operating and flight rules of part 91 of this chapter; and
(2) A review of those maneuvers and procedures that, at the discretion of the person giving the review, are necessary for the pilot to demonstrate the safe exercise of the privileges of the pilot certificate.
(b) Glider pilots may substitute a minimum of three instructional flights in a glider, each of which includes a flight to traffic pattern altitude, in lieu of the 1 hour of flight training required in paragraph (a) of this section.
(c) Except as provided in paragraphs (d), (e), and (g) of this section, no person may act as pilot in command of an aircraft unless, since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month in which that pilot acts as pilot in command, that person has—
(1) Accomplished a flight review given in an aircraft for which that pilot is rated by an authorized instructor and
(2) A logbook endorsed from an authorized instructor who gave the review certifying that the person has satisfactorily completed the review.
(d) A person who has, within the period specified in paragraph (c) of this section, passed any of the following need not accomplish the flight review required by this section:
(1) A pilot proficiency check or practical test conducted by an examiner, an approved pilot check airman, or a U.S. Armed Force, for a pilot certificate, rating, or operating privilege.
(2) A practical test conducted by an examiner for one of the following:
(i) The issuance of a flight instructor certificate,
(ii) An additional rating on a flight instructor certificate,
(iii) To meet the recent experience requirements for a flight instructor certificate in accordance with § 61.197(b)(1); or
(iv) The reinstatement of flight instructor privileges in accordance with § 61.199(b)(2).
(e) A person who has, within the period specified in paragraph (c) of this section, satisfactorily accomplished one or more phases of an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program need not accomplish the flight review required by this section.
(f) A person who holds a flight instructor certificate need not accomplish the one hour of ground training specified in paragraph (a) of this section if that person has, within the period specified in paragraph (c) of this section, met one of the following requirements—
(1) Satisfactorily completed the recent experience requirements for a flight instructor certificate under § 61.197; or
(2) Reinstated the person's flight instructor privileges by satisfactorily completing an approved flight instructor refresher course in accordance with § 61.199(a)(1).
(g) A student pilot need not accomplish the flight review required by this section provided the student pilot is undergoing training for a certificate and has a current solo flight endorsement as required under § 61.87 of this part.
(h) The requirements of this section may be accomplished in combination with the requirements of § 61.57 and other applicable recent experience requirements at the discretion of the authorized instructor conducting the flight review.
(i) A flight simulator or flight training device may be used to meet the flight review requirements of this section subject to the following conditions:
(1) The flight simulator or flight training device must be used in accordance with an approved course conducted by a training center certificated under part 142 of this chapter.
(2) Unless the flight review is undertaken in a flight simulator that is approved for landings, the applicant must meet the takeoff and landing requirements of § 61.57(a) or § 61.57(b) of this part.
(3) The flight simulator or flight training device used must represent an aircraft or set of aircraft for which the pilot is rated.
[Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40898, July 30, 1997; Amdt. 61-104, 63 FR 20287, Apr. 23, 1998; Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42550, Aug. 21, 2009; Amdt. 61-131, 78 FR 56828, Sept. 16, 2013; Docket FAA-2023-0825, Amdt. 61-155, 89 FR 80050, Oct. 1, 2024]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1When are you required to complete a flight review, and what does it consist of?
Per FAR 61.56, you must complete a flight review every 24 calendar months to act as PIC. It consists of a minimum of 1 hour of ground training on Part 91 rules and 1 hour of flight training on maneuvers chosen by the instructor.
Q2Are there any activities that can substitute for a flight review?
Yes. Under FAR 61.56(d) and (e), passing a practical test or proficiency check for a certificate or rating, or satisfactorily completing one or more phases of an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program like WINGS, satisfies the flight review requirement.
Q3Who is authorized to give a flight review, and how is completion documented?
Per FAR 61.56(c), the flight review must be given by an authorized instructor in an aircraft for which the pilot is rated, and the instructor must endorse the pilot's logbook certifying satisfactory completion.
Studying for a checkride?
Related Sections in Part 61