Sporty’s has overhauled its online Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC) for 2023, “with new lessons on hot topics in flight training, a new user interface for immersive learning, and helpful tools for flight instructors,” according to Sporty’s officials.
The course is free for all active flight instructors and educators, company officials added.
“As instructors ourselves we know how frustrating many FIRC experiences can be, so we set out to create a modern, engaging, and easy-to-use course,” says Sporty’s Senior Vice President Bret Koebbe. “This year’s edition continues our focus on practical topics to make flight training more effective, and by making it available for free we hope to make the CFI renewal process completely hassle-free.”
The content is updated and expanded, with a focus on modern technology, new weather tools, FAA regulation updates, current safety trends, and tips for getting the most out of IACRA (Integrated Airman Certification and Rating Application).
The new lessons incorporate hundreds of graphics and images, along with supplemental video content and a review quiz at the end of each section.
The course is accessible on PC, Mac, and mobile devices. There’s no software to install, officials noted. A progress dashboard keeps CFIs apprised of study progress and quiz scores.
In addition to the FIRC, flight instructors also receive additional tools for free, such as access to Sporty’s Learn to Fly, Instrument, and Commercial Courses, and student progress tracking in each, along with all the FAA handbooks, Sporty’s TCOs, and ground lesson guides. Also included is a reference library with access to certification standards, advisory circulars, regulations, a CFI endorsement guide, and more, Sporty’s officials said.
Instructors can enroll in the FIRC by creating a free account at Sportys.com/CFI.
For convenience, CFIs can choose paperless ACR service. For $49.95, Sporty’s will process all renewal paperwork from within the course and issue a temporary certificate, eliminating the need for a trip to the local FSDO. Ground instructors may also receive a graduation certificate to meet the recent experience requirements, company officials said.