Biennial flight review?

Question

I fly for recreation not as a profession and recently got my private's a little less than two years ago. But I'm in college and for the past few months, and most likely until I graduate, I've run into some financial problems that have not allowed me to fly. Since I've never taken a biennial before, I have no idea what it entails or how much it costs. Is the biennial identical to a check ride? Should I try desperately to gather up the money and get a few hours and try my best to pass the biennial or should i just let my license lapse and then star up again once I'm done with school and the money wouldn't be so much of a headache? Thanks

Answer 1

I was in the exact same position as you a few years ago. Unfortunately I let my license lapse and I wish I hadn't (although I am current again and will try never to let it lapse again if at all possible)

The thing is, once you let your license lapse you are always meaning to get current again, but things come up that you have to fork out money for and before you know it, you realize that you haven't flown for a few years. During that time, (you may or may not have been paying for your publication amendments), airspace and regs will have changed and of course you lose some of your skills and confidence.

If you really enjoy flying, I would recommend that you try and scrape up the cash for a BFR.  The test itself is not daunting because they can't 'fail' you as such, only suggest that you brush up on an area that the instructor might think you are lacking in.

Answer 2

Biennial flight review is not as tough as check ride.

As you may have learned in flight school, your license won't lapse. You just can't act as pilot in command without passing flight review.

You have to go through both ground instruction and flight instruction. Instructor ask you some questions on the ground to make sure you have knowledge enough to fly. In air, instructor is going to check your sequence and skill for safe flight.

It usually costs 2hours of instructor fee and a hour of rental fee.

Good luck to you!

Answer 3

check if the college has a flying club.  they usually have an instructor on staff (or it is a student) - and great rental rates - plus you'll find some people with common interests.

the bfr is not a test, it is a review of your skills, and knowledge.  there is a flight review prep book, with the approved questions for the review.  it is usually held as a discussion with the instructor - "tell me how you plan your flights"  .....then perhaps you start your flight, they do a couple engine outs, a couple stalls, review the latest in emergency situations - mine was engine failure on take-off. You can also direct it - like 10 minutes of hood work, with the giving vectors back to the airport- good stuff in case of inadvertent ifr/marginal conditions.

Of course, it you don't think you'll be flying at all, it just means that you cann't act as PIC or safety pilot - your license remains active, but your medical will probably expire!  anyway, if you go "a long time" without review, they may want to do more than two hours (1 ground, 1 air) to bring proficiency back to the necessary level.

Good luck...

Answer 4

Your ticket never really "lapses", but you are not current and therefore, cannot act as PIC.  If you haven't flown in a while, it would benefit you (and your future passengers) to spend more than a couple of hours in a BFR.  I would suggest getting at least 8 hours of air time with the instructor (this would also cover your BFR).  My reasoning is this:  have you ever crammed for an exam?  If so, you know that all you do is fill your head up for the test and the dump it after you are done. You don't want to do this for flying. You need to keep your skills up to be safe.