Flight Review Requirements 2025: Complete Checklist + What Examiners Look For

Every pilot knows it’s coming—sooner or later, it’s time to meet the flight review requirements. Whether you’re just staying current or getting back in the cockpit after time away, the flight review is a key step in keeping your certificate active and your skills sharp.

But what exactly does a CFI look for? What’s required, what’s optional, and what can you expect from the process in 2025? If you’re wondering how to prepare and what really matters during a review, you’re in the right place. 

FAA Flight Review Requirements Every Pilot Should Know in 2025

Every pilot must complete a flight review at least once every 24 calendar months to maintain their flying privileges. The FAA sets clear minimum requirements, but the structure of each review can vary slightly depending on your instructor, aircraft, and recent experience.

Minimum Time Requirements

• 1 hour of flight training
• 1 hour of ground review

Both portions are required for a valid flight review. Your instructor may extend the time if additional practice or discussion is needed, but this is the minimum set by the FAA.

The ground session focuses on confirming your knowledge of current regulations, airspace, and safety procedures. Your instructor will review key areas, including:

• Part 91 regulations
• Airspace classifications and operational requirements
• Weather resources and NOTAMs
• Risk management principles
• Recent changes in procedures or airspace

This is a good opportunity to refresh on rule updates or areas you rarely use in daily flying.

The flight portion covers maneuvers and procedures your instructor feels are necessary for safe operation. It’s designed to confirm proficiency, not to test like a checkride. Common areas of focus include:

• Takeoffs and landings
• Stalls and slow flight
• Emergency procedures
• Steep turns or coordination exercises

Your CFI may tailor this to your experience, aircraft type, or recent flying activity.

Endorsement and Completion

The flight review is not pass/fail, but your instructor must be satisfied that you can operate safely within FAA standards. When complete, they’ll endorse your logbook to confirm your review. Without that endorsement, you’re not current to act as pilot in command.

A flight review is as much about staying sharp as staying compliant, and it’s one of the best ways to keep your flying skills sharp.

Easy-to-Miss Mistakes That Can Delay Your Endorsement

A flight review isn’t meant to be stressful, but some pilots make it harder than it has to be. Most issues aren’t about skill, they’re about mindset, prep, or small habits that creep in over time. Knowing what examiners and instructors notice can help you walk in relaxed and ready.

Here are some of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them:

• Treating It Like a Checkride: Some pilots show up tense and overly rehearsed, trying to fly like they’re under a microscope. A flight review is more of a guided refresher than a test. It’s not about impressing your instructor—it’s about sharpening your skills and brushing off the rust. Bring your best, but don’t overthink it.
• Treating It Like a Casual Flight: On the flip side, a too-casual approach can lead to missed items, sloppy habits, or safety concerns. If you haven’t reviewed basic regs or cockpit flows, it shows. This isn’t the time to wing it or assume your past experience is enough.
• Not Reviewing the FAR/AIM: If you’re fuzzy on airspace rules, VFR visibility minimums, or basic Part 91 regulations, it’ll slow things down. Take an hour before your review to flip through the FAR/AIM or use a prep app. Knowing your weak spots—and brushing up on them—makes a real difference.
• Sloppy Checklist Habits: Instructors notice when you skip checklists or rush through flows. Use your checklists like you would in solo flight. Good habits during a review show that you take cockpit safety seriously.
• Forgetting Required Documents: Bring your pilot certificate, current medical, and logbook. If you show up without one of these, the review can’t move forward. It’s a simple thing, but it happens more than you’d expect.
• Not Listening to Feedback: The review is collaborative. If your instructor offers corrections or tips, be open to them. Defensive or dismissive attitudes make the process harder than it needs to be. 

Smooth, Stress-Free Flight Reviews at Leopard Aviation

When it’s time for your flight review, you want an environment that’s professional but not uptight, structured but not intimidating. At Leopard Aviation, our CFIs work with you one-on-one to make sure your review is productive, smooth, and tailored to your experience level. We’ve built a reputation in Scottsdale and Mesa for doing things the right way—without taking the joy out of flying.

What You’ll Get at Leopard Aviation

• Experienced, approachable CFIs: Our instructors are sharp, professional, and serious about safety—but they’re also down-to-earth and fun to fly with. Some have flown for the airlines, others operate corporate jets, and all of them share a deep passion for aviation.
• No pressure, no attitude: Whether you’ve been flying weekly or haven’t logged time in a while, we meet you where you are. We treat your flight review like a two-way conversation, not a test. You’ll leave feeling sharper, not second-guessed.
• Flexible, pilot-friendly scheduling: Life is busy. We understand that. That’s why we offer flexible time slots that can work around your job, family, or other commitments, even on evenings or weekends when possible.
• Top-tier aircraft, every time: You’ll fly a clean, well-maintained Cessna 172S Skyhawk with a full Garmin G1000 glass cockpit, GFC 700 autopilot, and ADS-B in/out. These aircraft are newer, safer, and simply more enjoyable to fly, especially if you haven’t flown with a glass cockpit in a while.
• A flying environment that’s actually fun: We’re a family-owned school with a strong culture of professionalism, but we also believe flying should never feel like a chore. Our team creates an atmosphere where you can relax, focus, and really enjoy your time in the air.

We also train under Part 61, which gives us the flexibility to tailor your review based on your needs, goals, and recent flight history. 

If your flight review is due, we’d love to fly with you. Click here to schedule your review with Leopard Aviation.

Flight Review Coming Up? Prep Like a Pro

When you walk into your flight review prepared, the whole experience feels better, and less like a chore, more like a productive tune-up. A smart prep strategy helps you show up confident, ready to learn, and fully focused on becoming a sharper, safer pilot.

1. Know the Regs That Matter

Start with Part 91. Make sure you’re solid on the core regulations, especially the ones you don’t use every day. Pay attention to recent changes, such as:

• Updated TFR procedures
• NOTAM format changes
• New or evolving weather tools and services

Even seasoned pilots miss the small stuff—reviewing these early keeps you current and ready for real-world scenarios.

Refresh the Essentials

Brush up on airspace classifications, VFR weather minimums, and airport operations. If you’re rusty on sectional charts or decision-making models like ADM (Aeronautical Decision Making), now’s the time to revisit them. CFIs often structure reviews around these building blocks, so having them fresh in your mind makes the review feel smoother and more useful.

Use the Right Tools

Resources like the FAA Flight Review Prep Guide and the AOPA Safety Institute offer self-paced refreshers that hit the key topics most instructors care about. These tools are designed to align with current standards, making them a solid addition to your prep.

At Leopard Aviation, we can also provide one-on-one brush-up training before your review if you want to knock the rust off or target specific maneuvers.

Bring the Right Documents

Make sure you have:

• Your pilot certificate
• A valid photo ID
• Your medical certificate
• Your logbook with enough history to verify recent flight time

Double-check currency if you’re planning to fly passengers or at night. Showing up with everything in order keeps your review moving forward without delays.

Set Personal Goals

Before the review, think about what you’d like feedback on. Maybe it’s crosswind landings, cockpit organization, or systems knowledge. Flight reviews are more valuable when you treat them as a tune-up for the areas you care most about.

If there’s something specific you want to work on, our instructors at Leopard Aviation will tailor the review to give you the clarity and confidence you’re looking for.

Make Your Flight Review Count

Staying on top of your flight review requirements is all about keeping your skills sharp and your mindset focused. With just a little preparation, the flight review becomes a valuable checkpoint in your growth as a pilot, not a hurdle to clear.

At Leopard Aviation, we’re here to support you with expert instructors, flexible scheduling, and aircraft that make flying a joy. Whether you’re due for a review or just looking to refresh before jumping back in, we’ll help you do it right. Book your flight review today and take off with confidence.

FAQs

What are the current FAA flight review requirements for 2025?

The FAA requires a minimum of 1 hour of ground instruction and 1 hour of flight time with a CFI. The ground portion must cover Part 91 regulations, airspace, weather, NOTAMs, and risk management. The flight portion includes maneuvers and procedures necessary for safe operation. It’s not a checkride, but your instructor must endorse your logbook to complete it.

How long does a typical flight review take?

While the FAA minimum is 2 hours (1 hour ground, 1 hour flight), most reviews last a little longer, usually 2.5 to 3 hours total. It depends on your recent flying activity, how prepared you are, and whether you want to review specific skills or procedures in more depth.

Do I need to complete a flight review if I’m flying only with an instructor?

If you’re flying dual only and never acting as PIC, you don’t need a current flight review. But if you want to log PIC time, carry passengers, or operate solo, you must complete one every 24 calendar months per FAA regulations.

What’s the best way to prepare for a flight review?

Review Part 91 regs, airspace classifications, VFR weather minimums, and ADM principles. Use the FAA Flight Review Prep Guide or AOPA Safety Institute resources. Bring your logbook, pilot certificate, ID, and medical. Set goals—know what you want feedback on, and treat it as a collaborative refresher, not a test.

Can I do my flight review at Leopard Aviation even if I didn’t train there?

Yes! You don’t need to be a current student to schedule a flight review with us. We welcome licensed pilots from any background who want a high-quality, professional, and approachable review experience in a clean, well-equipped aircraft.