What must a CFI do to renew their certification?

A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) can renew their certification through several methods, and one of the valid routes is passing a practical test. However, the option that specifies passing a practical test with at least 80% on 5 applicants is misleading. To renew, instead, a CFI can conduct a minimum of 10 hours of ground and flight training with at least five students and satisfactorily demonstrate their instructional ability.

The practical test serves as a means to ensure that the CFI maintains their teaching proficiency and practical knowledge. This option emphasizes the importance of practical experience and reinforces that CFIs must continually validate their skills through real-world teaching scenarios. In comparison, while passing a written test or attending a seminar may contribute to a CFI's overall knowledge and professional development, they do not solely fulfill the certification renewal requirements. A flight review, on the other hand, is typically required for pilots but is not the sole criterion for the CFI renewal process.

Thus, the essence of the renewal process emphasizes maintaining instructional capability and is closely tied to practical demonstrating and teaching proficiency.