Flight Instrutor Refresher Course (FIRC) 2021 Schedule

CFIG - Renew Your Glider Flight Instructor Certificate - The SSF provides US glider flight instructors the ability to renew their FAA flight instructor certificate in a class tailored to the need of glider pilots and students. One FIRC is held in concurrent with the bi-annual SSA soaring convention. This FIRC is held the Tuesday and Wednesday preceeding the convention at the convention site. Other FIRCs are held, upon request, around the country. Contact Richard Carlson [rcarlson501 at comcast.net] for more details.

The SSF has an FAA approved ACR (Airman Certification Representative) on staff. This means that the CFI can complete the renewal paperwork at the end of the FIRC. The SSF ACR will issue a new temporary CFI certificate and file the paperwork with the FAA. This means that FIRC attendees no longer need to schedule a visit with their local FSDO to complete the renewal process.

Register for a FIRC on-line and pay the $150 fee by credit card, sending a check to the SSA office in Hobbs, or pay at the door. Follow the On-Line Registration link to the registration form. Selecting Pay by Credit Card and you will be taken to the SSA Store to complete the payment process.

The FIRC schedule for 2021 was:

Virtual Meeting Format*

Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic the SSF FIRC instructors are following CDC guidlines and limiting travel. Instead of in-person classes, the SSF will host virtual meetings using the Bluejeans Video Conferencing tool. Attendees will be able to participate using their computer using their browser or the downloadable application. Specific connection information will be provided to registered attendees. For more information contact the SSF Webmaster at webmaster@soaringsafety.org.
  • Location: Houston, TX
    Date: January 9-10, 2021
    Status: FIRM - Virtual Meeting Format*
    On-Line Registration Form
    Local Contact: Michael Hunter [michaelhunter57 at gmail.com]
    Location: Virtual meeting useing Bluejeans V/C tool

  • Location: Chicago, IL
    Date: Janurary 23-24, 2021
    Status: FIRM - Virtual Meeting Format*
    On-Line Registration Form
    Location: Virtual meeting useing Bluejeans V/C tool

  • Location: Elmira, NY
    Date: February 6-7, 2021
    Status: FIRM - Virtual Meeting Format*
    On-Line Registration Form
    Local Contact: Joe May [jmay at blueforceinc.com]
    Location: National Soaring Museum
    Community Room
    51 Soaring Hill Dr
    Elmira, NY 14903

  • Location: Anchorage, AK
    Date: February 20-21, 2021
    Status: FIRM - Virtual Meeting Format*
    On-Line Registration Form
    Local Contact: Peter Brown [pdbrown170b at me.com]

  • Location: Tidewater Soaring
    Date: March 6-7, 2021
    Status: FIRM - Virtual Meeting Format*
    On-Line Registration Form
    Local Contact: Marita Rea [aviatrix282 at earthlink.net]

    • SSF FIRC's are open to any Flight Instructor wishing to renew their FI certificate. As of 2008, the SSF FIRC can renew any FI certificate (glider, airplane, rotorcraft, ...). If your tow-pilots are airplane flight instructors they can how renew by attending the SSF FIRC. The SSF FIRCs are also open to any glider pilot who is interesed in learning more about the art of Soaring. You do not need to be a flight instructor to attend an SSF FIRC.

    New in 2012, the SSF now has an FAA approved ACR (Airman Certification Representative) on staff. This means that the CFI can complete the renewal paperwork at the end of the FIRC. The SSF ACR will issue a new temporary CFI certificate and file the paperwork with the FAA. This means that FIRC attendees no longer need to schedule a visit with their local FSDO to complete the renewal process.

    New - December 19, 2011 - New Register for a FIRC on-line and pay by credit card, sending a check to the local contact, or pay at the door. Follow the On-Line Registration link to the registration form. Selecting Pay by Credit Card and you will be taken to the SSA Store to complete the payment process.

Updated 02/22/2021