Flight Review & COVID-19

[FlyinTiger]

Any RV pilot that needs a flight review and/or an IPC I’ll be up and down the East Coast between May 18th and June 15th. I live near Columbia, SC. Newberry (EOE) is close and uncontrolled as well as Aiken (AIK) and others.

Please contact me via PM and we can see if we can get together to help you out. I’m willing to help out to get folks ready to fly safely since many have been taking a break for a month or two.

Flight Reviews, IPCs, Phase I, knocking the rust off in your aircraft, tail dragger, nose dragger, etc.

Have a great week and fly, but fly safe!

(Ask if you have questions, need references, etc...I’ve been well >14 days, not concerned about staying 6 feet apart.)

[FlyinTiger]

I guess no one needs a FR or IPC.

In case someone who does a search finds this and does have a need, there?s a CFI I know in Eastern PA who is available as well.

I?m sure all the well known RV transition training instructors are very busy with long lead times.

[SMRacer]

My flight review is due by the end of July and I'm hopeful that things will change by then. However, if they don't...

I fly formation flights regularly with a pilot who is a CFI. Would it be possible to get a flight review with a briefed formation flight. The wingman could observe all phases of flight. The intent of the restriction is to eliminate close contact in the cockpit, which obviously is achieved by using a wingman/chase pilot.

Opinions.

[SPX]

Originally Posted by SMRacer

My flight review is due by the end of July and I'm hopeful that things will change by then. However, if they don't...

I fly formation flights regularly with a pilot who is a CFI. Would it be possible to get a flight review with a briefed formation flight. The wingman could observe all phases of flight. The intent of the restriction is to eliminate close contact in the cockpit, which obviously is achieved by using a wingman/chase pilot.

Opinions.

As a CFI, I wouldn't be comfortable doing that (sorry). Two primary reasons:

1. We have to provide flight training. I get that you're flying, and the observation could be training, but that's really outside the intent that the FAA had in mind, IMO.

2. The regulation says that we must "...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."

I think it would be hard to convince anyone that I, as a CFI, from outside the aircraft observed every maneuver and procedure "...necessary for the pilot to demonstrate the safe exercise of the privileges of the pilot certificate"

Bottom line is, it's just too far outside the norm for me to be comfortable with that. Ultimately, it's up to the CFI signing the endorsement, I suppose...

[alcladrv]

Originally Posted by Northernliving

It appears as as result of COVID, the FAA has extended the BFR requirements by 30 days provided you have three WINGS credits since January of this year. Has anyone checked with their insurance company to see if they have the same provision?

https://www.federalregister.gov/docu...id-19-outbreak

In my reading of the linked document under B. FLIGHT REVIEW (? 61.56), it specifically states:
The FAA finds, under the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak, that extending the 24 calendar month requirement of ? 61.56(c) by up to three calendar months will not adversely affect safety, provided the extension applies to active pilots and certain risk mitigations are met. The three calendar month extension applies to pilots who were current to act as PIC of an aircraft in March 2020 and whose flight review was due in March 2020 through June 2020.

Since my BFR is due in June 2020, I understand it to say that I'm now good for 3 more calendar months or September 2020 as long as I get the 3 wings credits since January 2020.

[YellowJacket RV9]

Originally Posted by alcladrv

In my reading of the linked document under B. FLIGHT REVIEW (§ 61.56), it specifically states:
The FAA finds, under the extraordinary circumstances of the COVID-19 outbreak, that extending the 24 calendar month requirement of § 61.56(c) by up to three calendar months will not adversely affect safety, provided the extension applies to active pilots and certain risk mitigations are met. The three calendar month extension applies to pilots who were current to act as PIC of an aircraft in March 2020 and whose flight review was due in March 2020 through June 2020.

Since my BFR is due in June 2020, I understand it to say that I'm now good for 3 more calendar months or September 2020 as long as I get the 3 wings credits since January 2020.

Only if you are flying for a few very specific reasons, such as medical flights or maintenance. Those are when "extension applies".

Chris

[RV6_flyer]

Originally Posted by alcladrv

Since my BFR is due in June 2020, I understand it to say that I'm now good for 3 more calendar months or September 2020 as long as I get the 3 wings credits since January 2020.

Many of the EAA Webinars qualify for wings credit. I have 3 FAASafety.gov emails telling me that I have seen three this month.

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by SMRacer

My flight review is due by the end of July and I'm hopeful that things will change by then. However, if they don't...

I fly formation flights regularly with a pilot who is a CFI. Would it be possible to get a flight review with a briefed formation flight. The wingman could observe all phases of flight. The intent of the restriction is to eliminate close contact in the cockpit, which obviously is achieved by using a wingman/chase pilot.

Opinions.

It?s a fascinating ?what if? scenario. I took my Subsonex rating ride with a DPE who was standing on the ground, because it is a single seater, and there were no alternatives. But some might say that if you can do it for that, why not in other extenuating circumstances? I?m not taking a position one way or another - just saying that there are some interesting edge-of-the-envelope cases....

Paul

[jrs14855]

There was a point many years ago where the then BFR could be observed from the ground If a single seat aircraft was used.That option was specifically eliminated years ago. The key word is instruction. One of the interesting points is that a Part 135 or part 121 check ride may be substituted for a BFR. In both cases flight or simulator training is required once a year, the six month requirement in between is only a check ride including oral.

[jrs14855]

ASF.org covers all the requirements in great detail. 10 alternatives to BFR including 135 and 121 proficiency checks. NO requirement for a current CFI in either case. Paul appears to be covered under additional rating even though it was observed from the ground. Except for additional rating scenario observing a BFR from the ground is not allowed.