Flight Instructor Refresher Course (FIRC)

CFI - Renew Your Glider Flight Instructor Certificate

The Soaring Safety Foundation provides US flight instructors the ability to renew their FAA flight instructor certificate in a class tailored to the need of Flight Instructors, 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.

New for 2022, the FAA requires that each FIRC provider administer a closed book state test at the end of each day. The SSF FIRC has historically handed out paper tests to comply with this rule. Starting in 2022, the SSF will move to an on-line test using a laptop or tablet based web browser. Attendees should bring a device with them to take this daily test.

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.

Classes start promptly at 8:00 AM and end at 5:30 PM both days. You can expect to stay a little longer Sunday evening if you are renewing your CFI certificate. The SSF ACRs will process renewal applications after the class ends.

All current FIRC presentations are avilable for viewing/downloading at SSF FIRC Presentations

The FIRC schedule for 2025/2026 is:

  • Location: Etowah, TN
    Date: November 1-2, 2025
    Status: Firm
    Registration: On-line Registration Form
    Local Contact: Hartley Falbaum (hfalbaum at comcast.net)
    Location: Etowah, TN
    Etowah Community Center
    155 Robinson St
    Etowah, TN 37331
    Hotel: Etowah, TN
    Red Roof Inn
    600 N. Tennessee Ave, US Hwy 441
    Etowah, TN 37331
    Phone: (423) 781-7459

  • Location: Southwest Soaring Museum, Moriarty, NM
    Date: January 3-4, 2026
    Status: Firm
    Registration: On-line Registration Form
    Local Contact: Colleen Koenig (hv2flyg at gmail.com)
    Location: Moriarty, NM
    Southwest Soaring Museum
    918 Rt 66
    Moriarty NM
    Phone: 505-850-5898

  • Location: Hutchison, KS
    Date: January 10-11, 2026
    Status: Firm
    Registration: On-line Registration Form
    Local Contact: Tony Condon (abcondon at gmmail.com)
    Location: Hutchinson, KS
    Sunflower Soaring Center
    Enterprise Rd
    Hutchinson, KS 67501

  • Location: Washington DC Metro area
    Date: January 24-25, 2026
    Status: In Planning
    Registration: On-line Registration Form
    Local Contact: Jim Garrison (jcg8w at virginia.edu)
    Location: Gainesville, VA
    Hampton Inn
    7300 Atlas Walk Way
    Gainesville, VA 20155
    Phone: (703) 753-1500

  • Location: Ann Arbor, MI
    Date: January 31 - February 1, 2026
    Status: In Planning
    Registration: On-line Registration Form
    Local Contact: John Harte (gearthj at gmail.com)
    Secondary: Jim Vincze (jimjanarbor at comcast.net)

  • Location: Seattle, WA
    Date: February 14-15, 2026
    Status: In Planning
    Resistration: On-line Registration Form
    Local Contact: Michael Delaney (2238mtd at msn.com)

  • Location: Tuscon, AZ
    Date: February, 21-22, 2026
    Status: In Planning
    Registration: On-line Registration Form
    Local Contact: Paul Moffett (paulmof at msn.com)
    Location: Tuscon Soaring Clubhouse
    El Tiro Gliderport
    18999 W. El Tiro Rd
    Marana, AZ 85719

  • Location: Fitchburg, MA
    Date: March 7-8, 2026
    Status: In Planning
    Registration: On-line Registration Form
    Local Contact: Steve Paavola (steve at thepaavolas.net)

  • Location: Spartanburg, SC
    Date: March 21-22, 2026
    Status: In Planning
    Registration: On-line Registration Form
    Local Contact: Rav Smith (saludarav at gmail.com)
    Location: River Falls Dr Clubhouse
    100 Pelham Falls Dr
    Greer, SC 29651
    Hotel Information: Numerous hotels nearby

  • Location: Los Alamitos, CA
    Date: April 4-5, 2026
    Status: Firm
    Registration: On-line Registration Form
    Local Contact: John Chapman johh.p.chapman at verizon.net
    C: (805) 402-4238
    Local Contact: Alasdar Mullarney alasdar at sbcblobal.net
    Location: Joint Forces Training Base Los Alamitos
    CAP Los Alamitos Glider Training Squadron 41
    3976 Constitution Ave, Building #B284
    Los Alamitos, CA 90720
    Hotel Info: numerous hotels nearby
    Google Map showing venue

    • Updated 09/17/2025

    Previous Years FIRC schedules

    2025 FIRC Schedule
    2024 FIRC Schedule
    2023 FIRC Schedule
    2022 FIRC Schedule
    2021 FIRC Schedule
    2020 FIRC Schedule
    2019 FIRC Schedule
    2018 FIRC Schedule
    2017 FIRC Schedule
    2016 FIRC Schedule
    2015 FIRC Schedule
    2014 FIRC Schedule
    2013 FIRC Schedule
    2012 FIRC Schedule
    2011 FIRC Schedule
    2010 FIRC Schedule
    2009 FIRC Schedule
    2008 FIRC Schedule
    2007 FIRC Schedule
    2006 FIRC Schedule
    2005 FIRC Schedule
    2004 FIRC schedule

    Note: FIRC's tend to appear in the same location on a regular schedule. Looking at previous years schedules can help in long range planning activities.