What Is a Flight Review?
A flight review, formerly called the Biennial Flight Review (BFR), is a periodic assessment required by 14 CFR 61.56 for all pilots who wish to act as pilot in command (PIC). The FAA changed the name from "BFR" to "flight review" in 1997, but the older term persists in casual conversation.
The flight review is not a test or checkride. There is no formal pass/fail outcome. However, a CFI must endorse your logbook certifying that you have satisfactorily completed the review. If the CFI determines you are not proficient, they will recommend additional training — but no disapproval is filed with the FAA.
Without a current flight review, you cannot exercise PIC privileges. Your pilot certificate remains valid, but you are not legally current to fly as PIC until you complete a review or satisfy an equivalent requirement.
Requirements: Ground and Flight Minimums
14 CFR 61.56 establishes minimum requirements: at least 1 hour of flight training and at least 1 hour of ground training. The ground portion must include a review of the current general operating and flight rules of 14 CFR Part 91. The flight portion must include maneuvers and procedures that, at the discretion of the CFI, are necessary to demonstrate safe exercise of the privileges of your pilot certificate.
These are minimums. A thorough flight review often takes 2-3 hours total. If it has been several years since your last review, or you have not been flying regularly, expect the CFI to spend more time evaluating and refreshing your skills. There is no regulatory maximum — the review takes as long as the CFI deems necessary.
The review must be conducted by a CFI (certificated flight instructor) or other person designated by the FAA, such as a DPE or an FAA inspector. A ground instructor alone cannot complete the flight portion.
What the CFI Reviews
Ground portion: The CFI will typically cover Part 91 general operating rules, airspace requirements, weather minimums, recent regulatory changes, and any areas where you need a refresher. Many CFIs also review aeronautical decision-making (ADM), risk management, and the Aeronautical Information Manual (AIM) updates.
Flight portion: Maneuvers vary by CFI and your certificate level. Common areas include steep turns, slow flight, stall recognition and recovery, ground reference maneuvers, emergency procedures, takeoffs and landings (including short-field and soft-field), and navigation. If you hold an instrument rating, the CFI may include instrument procedures, though this is not required.
The CFI tailors the review to your experience and flying habits. A pilot who regularly flies cross-country IFR will receive a different review than a pilot who mostly flies local VFR on weekends. The goal is to ensure you can safely exercise the privileges you hold.
The WINGS Program: An Alternative to the Flight Review
The FAA's WINGS — Pilot Proficiency Program, administered by the FAASTeam (FAA Safety Team), provides an alternative pathway. Completing a full phase of WINGS satisfies the flight review requirement under 14 CFR 61.56(e). This is not an exemption — it is written directly into the regulation.
Each WINGS phase requires completing a set of knowledge topics (online courses through FAASafety.gov) and flight activities with a CFI. The knowledge topics cover subjects like weather, aeronautical decision-making, and runway safety. The flight activities target specific maneuvers and proficiency areas.
The advantage of WINGS is that it encourages ongoing proficiency rather than a single biennial event. You can work on WINGS activities throughout the year, building proficiency incrementally. Many CFIs recommend combining regular WINGS participation with periodic flight reviews for maximum benefit.
Documentation and Logbook Requirements
After a satisfactory flight review, the CFI endorses your logbook with the date, their signature, certificate number, and expiration date of their flight instructor certificate. The endorsement certifies that you have satisfactorily completed a flight review under 14 CFR 61.56.
Keep a record of your flight review endorsement. If you are ramp-checked by the FAA, you must be able to demonstrate that you have completed a flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months. The 24-month clock runs from the calendar month of your last review — if you complete a review in March 2026, it is valid through March 31, 2028.
If the CFI does not endorse your logbook (indicating the review was not satisfactorily completed), no record is filed with the FAA. You simply need additional training before attempting the review again. There is no penalty and no waiting period.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Letting the review lapse: Many pilots miscalculate the 24-month window. The review expires at the end of the 24th calendar month after the month you completed it. Mark your calendar and schedule the next review early.
Treating it as a formality: A flight review is an opportunity to identify and correct bad habits. Be honest with your CFI about areas where you feel less confident. The goal is proficiency, not checking a box.
Not preparing: Review Part 91 rules, current NOTAMs, and airspace changes before the ground portion. Chair fly the maneuvers you expect to perform. Arrive with your logbook, medical certificate, and pilot certificate. A prepared pilot gets more value from the review.
Forgetting equivalent events: Passing a practical test for a new certificate or rating, completing a WINGS phase, or successfully completing a Part 135 or Part 121 proficiency check all reset the 24-month clock. Check 14 CFR 61.56(d) and (e) for the full list.