The Gleim Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC) is an Internet-based ground recurrent training program delivered via the Internet. Certificated flight instructors may use this FAA-approved course as the sole basis for renewal of their CFI certificates, regardless of ratings held.

Unlike flight instructors, certificated ground instructors are not required to renew their certificates every two years; ground instructor certificates are issued without an expiration date. However, ground instructors are required to meet certain recent experience requirements before exercising the privileges of their certificates. 14 CFR Sec. 61.217 states that the holder of a ground instructor certificate may not perform the duties of a ground instructor unless, within the preceding 12-month period:

1. (s)he has served as a ground instructor for at least 3 months, or
2. (s)he has received an endorsement from an authorized ground or flight instructor who certifies that (s)he has demonstrated satisfactory proficiency in the fundamentals of instructing and in the subject areas that are listed in the aeronautical knowledge requirements for the pilot certificates and ratings that are appropriate to his/her grade of certificate.

The purpose of ground instruction is to introduce the student to principles and concepts that will be applied in flight, and to provide the background knowledge needed to make flight training both efficient and meaningful. Additionally, ground instruction prepares the student for his/her pilot knowledge test and his/her post-training flying career by explaining the meaning of regulations, the use of weather services, flight planning procedures, etc. Ground instruction may be given either by a ground instructor, who may provide only ground instruction, or by a flight instructor, who may provide both ground and flight instruction. Therefore, the privileges and responsibilities of a ground instructor are included as a subset of the privileges and responsibilities of a flight instructor.

Because all of a ground instructor's privileges and responsibilities are contained within the broader privileges and responsibilities of a flight instructor, it is the Gleim position that any person who successfully completes the Gleim Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC) has demonstrated satisfactory proficiency in the aeronautical knowledge areas that a ground instructor must be familiar with (listed in 14 CFR Sec. 61.213 (a) (3) and (a) (4)). Certificated ground instructors who have successfully completed the Gleim FIRC program may request an endorsement from Gleim Publications to meet the requirements of 14 CFR Sec. 61.217 (b).

Accordingly, on request, Gleim will issue to any certificated ground instructor who completes the Gleim FIRC an endorsement certifying that (s)he is proficient in the subject areas that a ground instructor must be familiar with. The endorsement reads as follows:

I certify that (First name, MI, Last name) has demonstrated satisfactory proficiency on the appropriate ground instructor knowledge and training subjects of § 61.213(a)(3) and (a)(4) based upon completion of the Gleim FAA approved Flight Instructor Refresher Course. Irvin N. Gleim 336304413 AGI (date)