Flight reviews and proficiency checks help maintain your competencies to conduct operations safely. You must meet the same standards in a review or a check that applies when you get the rating.
This page explains flight review and proficiency check requirements for flight instructors, including validity periods, and rating-specific requirements.
Understanding flight reviews and proficiency checks
Flight instructors must maintain their competency through both a flight review and a proficiency check, regardless of the rating.
A flight review combines refresher training with a competency assessment conducted by another flight instructor.
A proficiency check is a competency assessment conducted by a flight examiner. You must complete any required refresher training before the check.
Find out more about when you require a flight review or proficiency check, who can conduct them and the applicable standards:
Requirements for instructors
As an instructor, you must comply with the flight review and proficiency check requirements for the aircraft you fly and the operations you conduct.
When you complete a proficiency check in an aircraft class or type, you also meet the flight review requirement for that class or type. you do not need a separate flight review.
Before you conduct flight training as an instructor, make sure you have:
- a valid instructor proficiency check
- a proficiency check or flight review if you are exercising the privileges of an operational rating
- a valid aircraft rating flight review for the type of aircraft used during the training.
Instructor proficiency checks
An instructor proficiency check confirms you maintain the competencies to exercise the privileges of your instructor rating:
- A flight examiner conducts the check using the standards in Schedule 6 of the Part 61 Manual of Standards (MOS).
- After you pass the check, the examiner records the result on your licence document and submits a proficiency check report to CASA.
An instructor proficiency check assesses your competency to conduct flight training for the training endorsements you hold.
You must show you can:
- deliver aeronautical knowledge training
- conduct flight training in an aircraft or an approved flight simulation training device (FSTD)
- demonstrate competency for at least one training endorsement
- conduct flight reviews for the ratings you have authorisation to conduct.
The standards for instructor proficiency checks are in CASR Part 61 Manual of Standards (MOS) Schedule 6.
How to meet the instructor proficiency check requirement
To meet the requirement for an instructor proficiency check, these are your options:
- pass an instructor proficiency check in an aircraft or an approved FSTD
- successfully participate in an approved training system that includes instructor rating proficiency checks. This option only applies while you are in the system.
- complete an operator proficiency check conducted by a flight examiner that covers flight instruction. The check lasts for 24 months from the end of the month you completed the check.
If you fail an instructor proficiency check
If you fail your proficiency check, your check is no longer valid. You cannot conduct flight training until you pass a new check.
Validity period of an instructor proficiency check
Instructor proficiency checks remain valid for at least 2 years and expire at the end of the month.
To continue instructing, you must complete your next check before the expiry date.
Renewal within 3 months of expiry
If you complete your check within 3 months of it expiring, your next expiry date will be the same date 2 years on.
Example:
- Current expiry: 31 March 2028
- Check completed: 9 January 2028
- New expiry: 31 March 2030
Renewal more than 3 months before expiry
If you complete your check earlier than 3 months before the expiry date, the new expiry date becomes the end of the 24th month after the check.
First instructor proficiency check
Your first proficiency check is due at the end of the month, 12 months after you get your instructor rating.
Additional training endorsements
A flight test for an additional training endorsement can reset your instructor proficiency check. This applies only if you pass the flight test for your additional training endorsement at least 6 months after you passed the flight test for the rating.
Your next check will then be due at the end of the 24th month after you received the additional training endorsement.
Example:
- You pass the flight test for your rating on 14 March 2025.
- First proficiency check due: 31 March 2026
- You pass an instructor proficiency check on 9 January 2026
- Because the check occurred within 3 months of the expiry date, the original expiry date stays the same
- Next proficiency check due: 31 March 2028
- You pass a flight test for an additional training endorsement on 21 July 2027
- Next proficiency check due: 31 July 2029
Aircraft rating flight reviews and instructor proficiency checks
Completing your instructor proficiency check satisfies the flight review requirement for the class or type of aircraft used during your check.
Example:
If you complete your instructor proficiency check in a Diamond DA42 (class rated multi-engine aeroplane), the review:
- covers the multi-engine aeroplane class
- covers the single-engine aeroplane class
- doesn't cover helicopters or type-rated aeroplanes.
Operator standardisation and proficiency checks
Part 141 or 142 operators must conduct standardisation and proficiency checks annually. This checks your competency to conduct specific training for that operator. They don't replace flight reviews because these checks assess training delivery rather than aircraft operation.