This AC provides information to assist General Aviation (GA) pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors in complying with the flight reviews required by Title 14 of the Code of Federal Regulations (14 CFR) part 61, § 61.56 and the instrument proficiency check (IPC)/recent flight experience requirements of § 61.57. Additionally, this AC provides critical information to enhance GA safety. The contents of this document do not have the force and effect of law and are not meant to bind the public in any way, and the document is intended only to provide information to the public regarding existing requirements under the law or agency policies.

The primary audience for this AC is GA pilots, flight instructors, and ground instructors. The secondary audience includes flight schools, collegiate aeronautical institutions, and stakeholders supporting GA pilot safety and training.

You can find this AC on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) website at https://www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/advisory_circulars and the Dynamic Regulatory System (DRS) at https://drs.faa.gov.

AC 61-98D, Currency Requirements and Guidance for the Flight Review and Instrument Proficiency Check, dated April 30, 2018, is canceled.

Flight instructors and airmen under review should reference practical test standards (PTS) or Airman Certification Standards (ACS) documents appropriate to the certificates and ratings held by the pilot seeking a flight review or IPC prior to the review. You can find additional information in:

In 1997, the FAA initiated a major regulatory review and update of 14 CFR parts 61 and 141 to ensure that these regulations conformed to the then-current technological and operational environment and to address future pilot certification needs. This version of AC 61-98 addresses changes in technology and the operational environment, and their impact on recurrent training and proficiency checks. Edits to this AC, since the original version, have expanded the scope to include recent flight experience and IPCs.

The FAA supports initiatives designed to encourage voluntary compliance with existing regulations and to maintain and further improve the GA safety record with a minimum of new regulations. As a result, the FAA has determined that updated advisory guidance is necessary with respect to the currency, proficiency, and qualification needs of GA pilots. The guidance contained in this version of AC 61-98 provides such information and accomplishes the goals of the personal currency program, flight review, and IPC.

The FAA added important General Aviation Joint Safety Committee (GAJSC) findings and recommendations to AC 61-98 pertaining to GA accidents (see paragraph 2.1).

AELS directly affects flight safety. Regulations require pilots to meet and maintain English language skill
requirements for all grades of pilot certificates issued under part 61. When a flight instructor conducts a flight evaluation and/or flight training event, the flight instructor should identify any pilot who does not meet English language skill requirements and take appropriate action. Finally, all training, checking, or evaluation will be conducted in English. AC 60-28 provides information and guidance regarding English language standards required by part 61.

The IPC and the flight review are both evaluations of a pilot’s ability to conduct a safe flight. Safety-related issues concerning language barriers to communications may arise if a pilot does not meet FAA English language skill standards. A flight instructor should continually evaluate the pilot’s English language skills during any flight evaluation or training event that the instructor conducts and endorse the individual’s training record or logbook in English for the training and endorsement provided.

A flight instructor conducting a flight review or IPC should not endorse the evaluation as satisfactorily completed if the instructor determines that the pilot under review does not meet FAA English language skill standards. When a pilot has not accomplished a flight review satisfactorily, the evaluating instructor should endorse the pilot’s logbook to indicate only the training received (as is the case with any unsuccessful flight review). There is no provision in the regulation for the failure of a flight review; therefore, there should be no logbook endorsement reflecting a failure. In the event the flight review is not successful, due to the flight instructor’s doubt that the pilot under review meets FAA English language skill requirements, the flight instructor should provide a logbook entry for training received, advise the pilot of the flight instructor’s finding, and notify their responsible Flight Standards office for further action. See paragraph 1.8.4 for additional flight instructor actions.

Although the FAA expects flight instructors to be aware of and follow the guidelines provided in AC 60-28, the FAA does not expect flight instructors to be responsible for a conclusive evaluation of an airman’s ability to meet the FAA AELS. Only an FAA aviation safety inspector (ASI) can determine if an applicant, student, or certificated pilot meets the FAA regulatory English language eligibility requirements. However, if a flight instructor questions the ability of the airman under training or evaluation to read, speak, write, and understand the English language at a level that meets FAA English language standards, then that flight instructor must refer the airman to the responsible Flight Standards office for evaluation by an FAA ASI. Thus, the FAA ASI will make the determination. The flight instructor should also provide the airman’s contact information to the responsible Flight Standards office.

Pilots should design a currency program tailored to their individual operating environments and needs, which should emphasize proficiency beyond the minimum currency requirements. In most cases, pilots may integrate currency criteria with normal operations to reduce the need for separate currency flights. For example, pilots could incorporate additional takeoffs and landings, instrument approach procedures (IAP), or specialized takeoffs and landings, such as short or soft field, into a planned flight. In most cases, pilots should consider the need for currency beyond that specified by 14 CFR.

The FAA strongly encourages pilots to participate in the FAASTeam’s Pilot Proficiency Program (WINGS), which includes numerous forms of training media such as online programs and recommended topics for pilots to review with flight instructors. Additionally, the FAASTeam conducts safety seminars, which are open to the public. You can find the FAASTeam website at https://www.faasafety.gov.

Pilots should also explore the wide range of publications and other commercially developed materials available for use in personal currency programs. To ensure pilots stay up to date with regulatory changes and flying techniques, the FAA also encourages pilots to read aviation periodicals on a regular basis.

For assistance in developing a personal currency program, pilots may consult a wide variety of sources. These sources include:

Flight instructors, pilots, and stakeholders should note that the FAA Form 8710-1 contains a field for a flight review and another for IPC.

When a pilot satisfactorily completes a flight review or IPC, the applicant should provide, and the evaluating flight instructor should submit, a completed FAA Form 8710-1 to the Airmen Certification Branch. The FAA does not require FAA Form 8710-1 for a pilot’s flight review or IPC; however, the FAA strongly encourages all applicants and flight instructors to follow this recommendation. When submitted, the Airmen Certification Branch will add the application to the pilot’s FAA record. Pilots should ensure that their data is current, because up-to-date records benefit everyone.

For example, a pilot’s total flight time and aeronautical experience determines insurance premiums. If a pilot loses their logbook, an FAA record is on file and available. Nevertheless, submitting FAA Form 8710-1 for a flight review or an IPC is optional.

The preferred method for submitting FAA Form 8710-1 is through the Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application (IACRA) system. IACRA is the web-based certification/rating application that guides the user through the FAA’s airman application process. IACRA validates data. It also uses electronic signatures to protect the information’s integrity and eliminates paper forms.

For your convenience, the AC Feedback Form is the last page of this AC. Note any deficiencies found, clarifications needed, or suggested improvements regarding the contents of this AC on the Feedback Form.