If you can't find an answer to your question here, e-mail us [email protected] or call 800-USA-AOPA (872-2672) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET..
If you run into an issue or have suggestions for edits or additions to the course please report them online at www.efirc.com/support. We appreciate any of your feedback on the course.
eFIRC FAQ Sections:
Renewal FAQs:
If you can't find an answer to your question here, e-mail us [email protected] or call 800-USA-AOPA (872-2672) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., ET..
If you run into an issue or have suggestions for edits or additions to the course please report them online at www.efirc.com/support. We appreciate any of your feedback on the course.
eFIRC FAQ Sections:
Renewal FAQs:
Close the eFIRC course window, log out on AOPA.org, and then clear the cache in your browser and try logging in again. Depending upon the browser you’re using, this is accomplished differently. The following will give you instructions on how to do this in your browser.
How to Clear Browser Cache:
Sometimes it can just be that your browser is blocking the course from opening in a new window. Try to turn off pop up blockers while using the eFIRC.
How to turn off Pop-Up Blockers:
If you are still not seeing the lesson content, please try to clear your browser's cache and delete cookies, also called Temporary Internet Files. Depending upon the browser you're using, this is accomplished differently. The following will give you instructions on how to do this in your browser.
How to Clear Browser Cache:
This is a Google Chrome specific error message.
Make sure that your Chrome is updated to the latest version. Check here for updates.After updating, if the issue still persists, please give these steps a try:
The quizzes are now all in HTML5 and some browser preferences, like a user selected preferred font size, font style or a page displaying in an enlarged viewing scale may affect the appearance of the quiz. Try resetting your browser to default display settings.
If the issue you are experiencing has not been covered in the above, please submit your issue here, www.efirc.com/support.
Most of the eFIRC is HTML 5 and does not require the Adobe Flash plug-in. However, if you are trying to view a handful of the Flash-based labeled electives, confirm that your browser should has the latest version of Adobe Flash. You can download the latest version directly from Adobe's website https://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/.
Note that the Flash-based courses cannot be completed on the iPad. However, you can use your eFIRC login on a desktop computer to review the Flash-based course portion of the elective there. Your progress is maintained with your login.
If the issue you are experiencing has not been covered in the above, please submit your issue here.
The eFIRC is optimized for iOS 16 and 17. Sometimes older devices or iPads have a problem with completing lessons when there are too many tabs open in Safari, too many open applications running in the background or if the cookies and cache are full.
Tip: Try to no leave in the middle of a lesson until you see the final completion slide of a lesson.
To start, close any extra tabs that you may have open in Safari by clicking the browser window page, the overlapping box icon in the upper right of the screen. Close any windows that you do not need open for the eFIRC.
To clear up more iPad memory, open up the app switcher by double-pressing the Home button (note that you're actually pressing the button down here-you aren't just tapping the Touch ID sensor). You'll get a series of screens that appear, like small photos or stacked playing cards, these are all your open apps. You can swipe upward until you flick it off the screen to close it, repeat for all open apps except for your browser app with the eFIRC.
To clear Safari browser cookies and cache on the iPad, from the Home screen, tap Settings (gear icon) and select Safari.
For a how to guide with images, view this guide "How to Clear Browser Cache in Safari on the iPad."
These techniques should help clear up more memory for your iPad and browser to continue your eFIRC.
Try not to leave a lesson mid-way through, get to the final slide in the lesson before leaving may help.
Another possible solution to resolve the issue, please try to clear your browser’s cache and delete cookies. Depending upon the browser you’re using, this is accomplished differently. The following will give you instructions on how to do this in your browser.
How to Clear Browser Cache:
Note: If running Internet Explorer 9, please enable the ‘web page compatibility mode’ setting in Internet Options – Security – Custom Level, learn how here
All the videos in the eFIRC are YouTube videos and should display on all browsers. Check your connection speed, slower connections like cellular may not load videos very well. If you are still having an issue, please try to clear your browser's cache and delete cookies. Depending upon the browser you're using, this is accomplished differently. The following will give you instructions on how to do this in your browser.
How to Clear Browser Cache:
Military and Government Employees: Beware that some government facilities are blocking YouTube videos from being viewed on their networks. If you are included in this group, you may need to review the eFIRC on a personal network outside of the government facility.
You must complete the lessons within a module in succession, so first confirm that you have access to the the lesson by making sure that the lesson you are accessing does not have a lock icon next to it. If it does have a lock icon, the previous lesson must be completed first.
If the lesson, before the one you are trying to open, does not have a green checkbox on the right it is still in progress. Note, progress within an individual lesson is not tracked. So if you start a lesson, try to complete it. If you leave in the middle of a lesson you will need to start it over. You will need to complete the lesson, it will display a green checkbox, before you can "unlock" the lesson after it.
If the above does not resolve the issue, please try to clear your browser's cache and delete cookies. Also make sure you are using the most up-to-date version of the browser. Depending upon the browser you're using, this is accomplished differently. The following will give you instructions on how to do this in your browser.
How to Clear Browser Cache:
You have several options available to you, each with their own advantages. They are:
No. The renewal window is four calendar months prior to your expiration date. For example, if your certificate expires in July, you could complete a FIRC as early as April 1 and you would retain your original expiration date of July.
Watch the introduction video to the eFIRC for a visual representation of the renewal window.
If you complete the FIRC more than four months prior to your expiration month, your new expiration date will be the end of the month in which you completed the FIRC. For example, if your certificate expires in July, you could complete a FIRC on March 31 and you would have a new March expiration date, not your original expiration date of July.
Unlike other FIRC providers, ASI does not charge extra for processing your CFI revalidation, and allowing ASI to handle the revalidation will save you an immense amount of hassle. If you decide to take your renewal program paperwork to the local FSDO yourself, be aware that you can no longer just walk into the FSDO. You must make an appointment - well in advance, in most cases - and be prepared to go through identification procedures. Also, all the extra security duties that have been assigned to FAA inspectors leave them with precious little time for routine duties, such as renewing CFI certificates. There have been cases where CFIs declined ASI's offer to renew their certificates, and then were unable to get an appointment with an FAA inspector until it was too late.
No, you must hold a valid, unexpired flight instructor certificate at the time you submit your application for renewal. Although attendance at a FIRC, or completing an online eFIRC, certainly would be beneficial from a knowledge standpoint, it could not be used as the basis for your renewal.
You have only one option — a checkride. The FAA refers to this as a "reinstatement." In most areas, this means a ride with your local FAA inspector, but some flight standards district offices (FSDOs) have authorized designated examiners to handle reinstatements. The good news is that you don't need to take a knowledge test, and one ride will suffice to renew all the ratings listed on that expired flight instructor certificate.
You may participate in any FIRC program and renew all the ratings on your flight instructor certificate.
That option still exists but is not formally recognized in the regulations. An FAA inspector may renew your flight instructor certificate based on his or her personal knowledge of you as a flight instructor. You may, however, find inspectors reluctant to exercise this option.
An additional flight instructor rating "resets" the renewal clock. Because you were issued a new rating on your flight instructor certificate, you should have a certificate with an expiration date 24 months from the date you obtained that rating. That new date is your expiration date.
No. A current medical is not required to renew your flight instructor certificate. In fact, a current medical is not even required to instruct as long as you do not act as the pilot in command of the aircraft.
You must submit a copy of your flight instructor certificate with your application. If your certificate is lost, you may request a verification of privileges from the FAA's Airman Services web page, https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/airmen_services/. This requires you to set up an account and request an emailed or faxed verification directly from the FAA. This confirmation notice may be used in lieu of the actual certificate. You also can contact your local FSDO for assistance.
The one that fits your particular lifestyle and time constraints. Each renewal method has its advantages and disadvantages.
Renew your CFI through ASI, either live or online, no more than four months prior to your expiration date. When done in accordance with FAR 61.197b, and ASI handles your renewal paperwork, we guarantee you'll keep your original expiration date. For example, if your certificate expires August 31st, you may complete a FIRC anytime in May, June, July, or August and retain the August 31st expiration.
It generally takes us two business days after you've submitted your completion information to us before we can verify your ID and complete our processing in IACRA. Once we've done that, you'll receive an email from ASI along with your eFIRC Graduation Certificate and Temporary Airman Certificate. Near the end of the month, priority is given to those renewing in that particular month.
You can also access your transcript and processed certificates under your profile in the eFIRC. In the eFIRC, in the upper right side in the top bar, use the menu to select "My Profile." There you will find your transcript of course progress and certificates once they are issued.
Check your email’s spam folder. The message may be there.
If it’s not in the spam folder, you can contact us to verify receipt of your information.
The FAA is currently running about 8 – 10 weeks behind in processing applications.
You can check the airman certification division processing status here: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/. This page will let you know what application date the Airman Certification branch is currently processing.
You can also see whether the FAA has processed your personal application or not on IACRA or through an airmen certificate information search at http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/interactive_airmen_inquiry/
Contact the FAA’s National AVS IT Service Desk:
Hours of operations are: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Telephone number: Toll-free at 877-287-6731 (ask for Tier 2)
E-mail address: [email protected]
The Web address for IACRA is http://iacra.faa.gov/iacra
Yes – you may fill out a paper 8710 and mail to us at:
eFIRC Processing
AOPA Air Safety Institute
421 Aviation Way
Frederick, MD 21701
When filling out the form, please use the Guide to Submit Application for Renewal document as reference. Pay particular attention to using the name on your current CFI certificate as well as citizenship, height, and gender. If you need to change your name, citizenship or gender or your height by more than two (2) inches, you have to do so at your local FSDO. You may not change those items with an 8710 for CFI renewal.
Sign and date the form with the date of your eFIRC course completion.
We'll still need to verify your ID for the 8710 just as we would if you were completing the application within IACRA. You can either scan and email an image of your CFI certificate to [email protected] or upload it on our "submit application for renewal" of the eFIRC.You should contact the FAA’s Airman Certification Branch
If necessary, you can also request an extension through the FAA airman certification branch. In order to request the extension visit the FAA’s website at: http://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/airmen_services/ , login and request temporary authority – this will issue a 60 day extension to your temporary CFI certificate.
No, but you will need to submit a legible (preferably color) copy of your flight instructor certificate. Your old certificate will no longer be valid after the date of expiration without also holding a FIRC graduation certificate which acts as your temporary certificate for 120 days.
There is no requirement to complete the record of pilot time section of the 8710 form for a flight instructor renewal. You may, however, want to do this for other reasons. It might serve as possible proof of previous time should you lose your logbooks.
You must submit a copy of your flight instructor certificate with your application. If your certificate is lost, you may request a verification of privileges from the FAA's Airman Services web page, https://www.faa.gov/licenses_certificates/airmen_certification/airmen_services/. This requires you to set up an account and request an emailed or faxed verification directly from the FAA. This confirmation notice may be used in lieu of the actual certificate. You also can contact your local FSDO for assistance.