Flight review14 CFR 61.56 Flight review
To act as pilot in command you must have completed a flight review with an authorized instructor, and received a logbook endorsement for it, since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month of the flight. The review is at least 1 hour of flight training and 1 hour of ground training.
By the ATIS Alerts team · Updated October 15, 2026 · Regulation text current as of October 14, 2026. A study aid based on the official regulation text, not legal advice or an FAA interpretation.
At a glance
- At least 1 hour of flight training and 1 hour of ground training (a).
- Covers the current general operating and flight rules of part 91 and the maneuvers and procedures the person giving the review chooses (a)(1), (a)(2).
- Must be completed since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month you act as pilot in command, in an aircraft for which you are rated, with an instructor's logbook endorsement (c).
- Passing a pilot proficiency check or practical test for a pilot certificate, rating or operating privilege in that period takes its place (d)(1).
- Completing one or more phases of an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program in that period also takes its place (e).
- A student pilot in training with a current solo endorsement under 61.87 does not need one (g).
In plain English
The flight review in 61.56 is the recurring check that keeps a pilot certificate usable for acting as pilot in command. Paragraph (a) sets the minimum at 1 hour of flight training and 1 hour of ground training. The review must include the current general operating and flight rules of part 91, and the maneuvers and procedures that the person giving the review decides are necessary for you to show you can safely exercise the privileges of your certificate.
Paragraph (c) sets the timing. You may not act as pilot in command unless, since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month of the flight, you have accomplished a flight review given in an aircraft for which you are rated by an authorized instructor, and received a logbook endorsement from that instructor certifying that you satisfactorily completed it. Because the period is counted in calendar months, a review completed on any day of a month counts through the end of the same month two years later.
Several things can take the place of the review. Passing a pilot proficiency check or practical test for a pilot certificate, rating or operating privilege, conducted by an examiner, an approved pilot check airman or a U.S. Armed Force within the same period, counts (d)(1), as do certain flight instructor practical tests (d)(2) and completing one or more phases of an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program (e). A student pilot who is undergoing training for a certificate and has a current solo endorsement under 61.87 does not need a flight review (g).
The review may be combined with the recent flight experience requirements of 61.57 at the discretion of the instructor giving it (h). A flight simulator or flight training device may be used only within an approved course at a part 142 training center, in a device representing an aircraft you are rated for, and unless the simulator is approved for landings you must also meet the takeoff and landing requirements of 61.57(a) or (b) (i).
Common mistakes
- Counting 24 months from the exact date of the review. The rule counts from the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month of the flight (c).
- Doing the review in an aircraft you are not rated for. It must be given in an aircraft for which you are rated (c)(1).
- Forgetting the endorsement. The review counts only with a logbook endorsement from the instructor who gave it (c)(2).
- Assuming a flight review makes you current to carry passengers. Takeoff and landing currency is a separate requirement in 61.57(a) and (b).
The official text
14 CFR 61.56 as published on the eCFR, current as of October 14, 2026.
(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.
Test yourself
Practice questions from our free FAA written test prep that cite 14 CFR 61.56.
Recreational Pilot
To act as pilot in command, a pilot must have completed a flight review within the preceding:
- A. 24 calendar months.
- B. 12 calendar months.
- C. 6 calendar months.
- D. 36 calendar months.
Show answer
A. 24 calendar months. A flight review, a minimum of one hour of ground and one hour of flight with an authorized instructor, is required within the preceding 24 calendar months for every pilot acting as PIC.
More Recreational Pilot practice →CFI Airplane
A flight instructor giving a flight review must ensure it includes a minimum of:
- A. 1 hour of ground training and 1 hour of flight training.
- B. 2 hours of flight training only.
- C. 3 hours total, split at the instructor's discretion.
- D. 1 hour of flight training and a written test.
Show answer
A. 1 hour of ground training and 1 hour of flight training. One hour each, and the ground portion must cover the current general operating and flight rules of part 91. A flight review is not a test, but the instructor is not obliged to endorse it, and "more training required" is a legitimate outcome.
More CFI Airplane practice →Advanced Ground Instructor
A flight review must consist of at least:
- A. 1 hour of ground training and 1 hour of flight training, within the preceding 24 calendar months.
- B. 2 hours of flight training within the preceding 12 calendar months.
- C. 1 hour of flight training within the preceding 24 calendar months; ground training is optional.
- D. 3 hours of combined training within the preceding 24 calendar months.
Show answer
A. 1 hour of ground training and 1 hour of flight training, within the preceding 24 calendar months. One hour of ground and one of flight, every 24 calendar months. A ground instructor may conduct the ground portion, but only a flight instructor can give the flight portion and sign the review off.
More Advanced Ground Instructor practice →CFI Helicopter
A flight review given by a helicopter CFI must include a minimum of:
- A. 1 hour of flight training and 1 hour of ground training, including the current general operating rules of part 91.
- B. 2 hours of flight training in the make and model the pilot normally flies.
- C. 1 hour of flight training; ground training is optional.
- D. 3 takeoffs and landings to a full stop.
Show answer
A. 1 hour of flight training and 1 hour of ground training, including the current general operating rules of part 91. One hour flight plus one hour ground, and the ground portion must review current part 91 rules. The takeoff-and-landing item is passenger-carrying currency under 61.57: a different rule the review does not replace.
More CFI Helicopter practice →
Questions pilots ask
How often do I need a flight review?
You must have completed one since the beginning of the 24th calendar month before the month in which you act as pilot in command (61.56(c)). For example, a review completed on any day in March 2026 counts for flights through the end of March 2028.
Does passing a checkride count as a flight review?
Yes. Passing a pilot proficiency check or practical test for a pilot certificate, rating or operating privilege, conducted by an examiner, an approved pilot check airman or a U.S. Armed Force within the same period, means you need not accomplish the flight review (61.56(d)(1)).
What happens in a flight review?
At least 1 hour of flight training and 1 hour of ground training, including a review of the current general operating and flight rules of part 91 and the maneuvers and procedures the person giving the review considers necessary for you to show safe exercise of your certificate privileges (61.56(a)).
Can I do a flight review in a simulator?
Only in a flight simulator or flight training device used in an approved course at a part 142 training center, representing an aircraft you are rated for. Unless the simulator is approved for landings, you must also meet the takeoff and landing requirements of 61.57(a) or (b) (61.56(i)).