New instructor certificates issued after 1 Dec 24 will not include an expiration date. An instructor, whose certificate does not have an expiration date, must now include his/her "recent experience end date" on all logbook entries - that is, 24 calendar months since the last FIRC (or other revalidation method).

From the Federal Register:
<quote>

10. Effective March 1, 2027, amend § 61.51 by revising paragraph (h)(2)(ii) to read as follows:

§ 61.51

Pilot logbooks.

* * * * *

(h) * * *

(2) * * *

  1. Include a description of the training given, the length of the training lesson, and the authorized instructor's signature, certificate number, and recent experience end date.

<end quote>

Important items to note
  • You still need to file an 8710
  • You have a 3 month grace beyond your "recent experience end date" when you can still renew by your method of choice (e.g., FIRC)
  • you cannot instruct during this grace period
  • If you exceed the grace period you'll need to re-certify with a DPE or examiner just as you would today if your certificate expired.


    • Aditional sources

  • https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/10/01/2024-22018/removal-of-expiration-date-on-a-flight-instructor-certificate-additional-qualification-requirements
  • https://www.aopa.org/training-and-safety/cfis/flight-instructor-resources/faa-ruling-on-removal-of-the-expiration-date-on-cfi-certificates
  • https://flighttrainingcentral.com/2024/11/faa-introduces-new-rules-for-cfis-effective-december-1/
  • https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2024/october/08/long-awaited-rule-removes-cfi-expiration
  • https://www.gleimaviation.com/2024/10/03/firc-expiration/