Preparing for the Biennial Flight Review

---

All pilots should be "into" their operations well before the flight.  For example, when
planning a long cross-country flight, I observe weather starting several days ahead.  I want to know what is coming to make a judgment on how weather will affect the flight.  Likewise, I
expect BFR applicants to check weather the night before and call me if they believe it may
be below their personal standards.  I like to have a ceiling of about 5,000' so stalls may be
performed with plenty of altitude to recover from a spin or whatever else may happen.

Just prior to meeting with the instructor/examiner, the applicant should get the current
weather report, and be able to cite the basics: ceiling; wind direction/speed/wind shear; turbulence; altimeter; density altitude; notams; etc.  The applicant should also present a pilot's license, a current medical, and a log showing recency of experience in the aircraft to be flown. The aircraft should have been checked prior to the BFR for required documents: airworthiness certificate; radio station license; pilots operating handbook; etc.   The applicant should tell the examiner that this has been done and that the documents are in the plane where they belong.

---

The FARs require a minimum of one hour of flight time and one hour of ground time for the
BFR.  I like to conduct the ground review prior to flight, although this can change based on
plane schedules, weather, and my personal knowledge of the pilot.  The ground time consists
of a review of Part 91, and is adjusted in depth based on the applicant's demonstrated
knowledge.  This list shows the FARs that must be covered in the review:

The links to the FARs were taken directly from the FAA Site on 11-21-99.  Entries viewed after this date may not be accurate.  It's the pilot's responsibility to make sure they have the latest data before the BFR.  You can visit the FAA site at <http://www.faa.gov/avr/afs/fars/far-91.txt/> to review any article.  Please forward any changes found to bfr-changes@gtechno.com  and just list the part number and it will be retrieved directly from the FAA site.

General
     91.7       Airworthiness Requirements
     91.17     Use of Alcohol and Drugs
     91.103    Preflight
     91.107    Seatbelts / Restraints
Flight Rules
     91.111    Operations Near Other A/C
     91.113    Rights of Way
     91.123    Compliance with ATC
     91.125    ATC Light Signals
     91.126    Ops on/near Airports in Class G Airspace
     91.127    Ops on/near Airports in Class E Airspace
     91.129    Class D Airspace
     91.130    Class C Airspace
     91.131    Class B Airspace
     91.133    Restricted/Prohibited Areas
     91.137    Temp. Flight Restrictions
     91.151    Fuel Requirements
     91.155    VFR Wx Minimums
     91.207    ELTs
     91.211    Supplemental Oxygen
     91.215    Xpndr & Altitude Reporting Systems
     91.309    Towing Gliders
Maintenance
     91.405    Maintenance Requirements
     91.409    Inspection Requirements
     91.411    Altitude Reporting System Tests
     91.417    Maintenance Records

Additionally, the pilot should be prepared to discuss aviation weather, aeronautical charts, navigation, weight and balance, and other items in the POH.

---

The flight review portion is varied according to the pilot's license, ratings, experience, and aircraft.  For example, a review in an Aeronca would be vastly different than one in a Mooney or Cessna 310.  It's a good idea for the pilot to take the review in the most complex plane usually flown. The review is varied based on the pilot's type of flying: local non-controlled airports vs. cross-county high intensity airports.  The Cub pilot that operates near Class B airspace should have a clear knowledge of the Class B limits and requirements.

---

BFR Checklist
___ Certificates and Documents
___ Pilot
___ Aircraft
___ Flight Planning
___ Preflight
___ Start-up
___ Taxiing
___ Use of Checklists
___ Collision Avoidance Techniques
___ Takeoffs:
___ Normal
___ Crosswind
___ Soft Field
___ Short Field
___ Straight & Level Flying
___ Climbs, Turns, Descents
___ Ground Reference Maneuvers
___ Slow Flight
___ Stall Recognition
___ Stall Recovery
___ Instrument Flying
___ Straight & Level
___ Climbs, Turns, Descents
___ Unusual Attitude Recovery
___ Communication Technique
___ Familiarity with Equipment
___ Navigation
___ Tuning
___ Identification
___ Intercepts
___ Pilotage
___ V-Speeds
___ Aircraft Systems
___ Normal Ops
___ Emergency Ops
___ Shutdown / Parking

---

It is also essential for the pilot to have a good working knowledge of these aircraft specifications:

___ Fuel
___Capacity
___Grade
___Color
___Cruise Consumption
___Duration
___ Oil
___Max Capacity
___Min Capacity
___Grade
___ Max Takeoff Weight
___ Max Landing Weight
___ Useful Load
___ CG Loading
___ Max Crosswind Component
___ V-Speeds
___Vr
___Vx
___Vy
___Vmc
___Vl
___Vs
___Vso
___Va
___Vfe
___Vle

---

The Biennial Flight Review is not a pass or fail test.  It is an observation of pilot's performance.  If the instructor/examiner can't endorse your logbook with "satisfactory performance," then no further notation is required. Satisfactory performance of flight operations is judged by the pilot's ability to perform within 10 degrees, 10 knots, and 100 feet.

Don't forget to be prepared to pay the examiner, even in the instance of unsatisfactory performance.

Library Menu
Home

---

This page created 10-27-0