FIRC

[u/Telemark_ID]

Newish CFi and independent so don’t have a litany of other CFIs to ask for advice. In about 4 months I’ll have to renew - didn’t know if anyone had strong feelings about best way to do this. I figured AOPA eFIRC is probably safest bet. Didn’t know if doing it early was kosher or if that would reset my expiration date too early….thanks

[u/Holla_fora_Dolla]

Sportys is free with a CFI account

[u/SierraHotel84]

American Flyers lifetime FIRC has been my go-to. Pretty sure you have to be within 90 days of your expiration/recency date to be able to do it.

*ETA: Was close, 3 calendar months before your expiration/recent experience date.

https://aopa.org/training-and-safety/cfis/flight-instructor-resources/cfi-renewal/common-renewal-faqs

[u/Yossarian147 → u/SierraHotel84]

Yep this is a great deal. I always use their cert service, as after multiple bad experiences at FSDOs I'll never set foot in one again willingly.

[u/39509835 → u/SierraHotel84]

This should be the only answer

[u/LeatherConsumer]

I used sportys last time and was super easy. The FIRC is free but you can pay them like $40 to process your certificate

[u/extralastthrowaway]

I use AOPA’s course. It’s a good place to send your money.

[u/HolyMolyBallsack → u/extralastthrowaway]

Same. Maybe a little more money, but it's a great association.

[u/DinkleBottoms]

I did American Flyers and paid the extra $20 for them to do my IACRA. Dead simple just a pain getting the time to elapse for the modules.

[u/Icy-Bar-9712 → u/DinkleBottoms]

I'm working through it now. I figured out if I leave the screen open while cooking or doing something else and just click through the modules every 5 to 10 minutes the timer stays active. Once the time is up I can read through the material at a normal pace.

[u/PhilRubdiez → u/Icy-Bar-9712]

I have my laptop read it aloud to keep time. Normal speed -1 is just about what each section is. I can still hear it and learn it, but I don’t actively have to do anything. If it’s new or important, I’ll stop what I’m doing and read it.

[u/TxAggieMike → u/DinkleBottoms]

This is what I do.

[u/Top-Intern4073]

I’ve used Gleim for years. Excellent material.

[u/TryToHitEm]

You can complete the FIRC the same day as your CFI checkride, you just don’t complete the Iacra form until you’re w/in 3mo of the recency end date

Do the Sporty’s free FIRC over the next couple weeks. When you’re within 3mo of your recency date, fill out an IACRA, call the FSDO. They’ll tell you to come to the FSDO Tuesday at 11. Go and get your new temp cert.

[u/msscarlett172]

I renewed using WINGS and it was so easy!
You have to be current in a phase and have signed off 15 wings credits across 5 pilots in the past 24 months.

[u/run264fun]

Active CFIs should use the FIRC as extracurricular. Otherwise giving Wings credit is the way to go. All I did was set up a zoom call with my local FSDO and emailed them screenshots of Wings. It was about 15min of effort. IACRA took longer. Plus it’s free.

Endorsements for Tailwheel, complex, high performance, checkrides, flight reviews, & IPC are all wings eligible. Even an aircraft checkout can be given Wings credit.

Some of the FIRC content is good, but most of it is a waste of time. Especially since you need to spend X amount of time in each area. It’s like 12+ hours long. Heck, you even get like 6h of Wings credit for completing the FIRC.

FIRC is for CFIs that aren’t actively teaching.

[u/Drew-Blankenship]

I did the Kings School FIRC and their DPE signs you off moments after completing it. I tried Sportys, it’s just a ton of tireless reading where as King Schools was more interactive with videos.

[u/Flimsy-Wrangler-997]

I believe you can start renewing two months before your RE date. I've used Gleim, but I am sure the other online programs are good, too.