Your flight review, done right
The biennial flight review isn’t just a box to check. It’s an opportunity to sharpen your skills, update your knowledge, and come away a better, more confident pilot. Let’s make the most of it.
The FAA’s currency requirement — and more
Under FAR 61.56, every certificated pilot must complete a flight review at least every 24 calendar months to act as pilot in command. The review consists of a minimum of one hour of ground instruction and one hour of flight time with a certificated flight instructor.
It isn’t a pass/fail test — it’s a review. The instructor signs you off when they’re satisfied you’re proficient and current. No check airman, no examiner, no paperwork to the FAA. Just you, an instructor, and a focused session to get you sharp again.
Pilots who complete ground school prep before their flight review almost always finish in fewer hours — saving time, money, and reducing any anxiety about areas where you’ve gotten rusty.
Four steps to current and confident
We structure the review to be genuinely useful — not just a minimum-time sign-off.
Prep with online ground school (recommended)
Before your in-person review, use our online ground school refresher to brush up on regulations, airspace classifications, weather interpretation, and decision-making. Students who prep this way show up confident and typically need less time in the review session. The full course is $97 — or start the first module free.
Ground instruction (minimum 1 hour)
We cover the areas you want to address plus any regulatory changes since your last review. Airspace, FARs, weather services, airport operations, and aeronautical decision-making are common ground topics. We tailor this to what you actually need, not a generic checklist.
Flight evaluation (minimum 1 hour)
The flight portion covers general aircraft control, maneuvers, and whatever flight activities are appropriate for your certificate and goals. We’ll work on anything you want to sharpen — steep turns, slow flight, emergency procedures, or just getting comfortable in the pattern again.
Sign-off and debrief
When the instructor is satisfied, they endorse your logbook. You’re current for another 24 months. We’ll also give you honest feedback on anything worth continuing to practice — because the goal is a better, safer pilot, not just a current one.
Typical ground review topics
Every review is tailored to the pilot, but these are the areas most commonly addressed.
Airspace regulations
Class A–G, TFRs, special use airspace
Weather interpretation
METARs, TAFs, SIGMETs, winds aloft
FAR currency rules
Passenger carrying, night, instrument
Aeromedical factors
IMSAFE, hypoxia, medication rules
Aeronautical decision-making
Risk management, PAVE checklist
Aircraft performance
Density altitude, W&B, POH use
Navigation methods
Pilotage, dead reckoning, GPS
Emergency procedures
Engine failure, forced landing, fire
Airport operations
Markings, lighting, wake turbulence
Mountain flying
Density alt, terrain, weather at KTRK
Prep smarter — not harder
Most pilots walk into their flight review a little uncertain about regulations and airspace details. That’s normal — but it’s also fixable. Our online ground school includes a complete refresher on every topic covered in a typical BFR ground session.
Spend a few hours with our modules before you meet your instructor. You’ll show up confident, get through the ground portion faster, and have more time to focus on the flying you actually want to work on.
No other flight school in NorCal offers this kind of structured pre-review preparation online.
Flight Review Refresher
- Airspace, FARs, weather services
- Aeronautical decision-making
- Aircraft performance & weight/balance
- 300+ practice questions
- Study at your pace, any device
Full course $97 · first module free
Flight review pricing
Estimates based on typical review duration. Actual cost depends on aircraft and time required.
Biennial Flight Review
- Minimum 1 hr ground instruction
- Minimum 1 hr dual flight time
- Tailored to your goals and currency needs
- Logbook endorsement upon completion
- Valid for 24 calendar months
Pilots who complete our online refresher before their review typically finish in less time — reducing the total cost of the review session.
Flight review FAQ
Ready to get current?
Start with our free ground school module to refresh your knowledge — then book your flight review at KTRK.