Definition
A recurrent proficiency check required by 14 CFR 61.56, consisting of a minimum of one hour of ground training and one hour of flight training conducted by an authorized flight instructor. A pilot must satisfactorily complete a flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months to act as pilot in command of an aircraft.
Plain English
A check-up with an instructor that every pilot must pass at least once every two years to keep flying as pilot in command. It includes some ground discussion and some flying, and the instructor signs your logbook when you've satisfactorily completed it.
Context Anchor
You will see this term in pilot currency requirements, rental checkout discussions, logbook endorsements, and FAA WINGS Program material.
Derivation
Review means to look over something again. That helps here because a flight review is not meant to teach flying from the beginning; it is a structured look-back at a pilot’s knowledge and flying skills to confirm they are still ready to operate safely.
Why Pilots Care
A pilot must complete a flight review within the preceding 24 calendar months to act as pilot in command of an aircraft carrying passengers.
Intuition Check
Do not read flight review as just an informal reminder flight. In FAA use, it is a specific recurring requirement that must be completed and logged before a pilot can act as the responsible pilot, unless another approved requirement satisfies it.
Example Sentence 1
Her flight review was due next month, so she scheduled an hour of ground review and an hour in the airplane with her instructor.
Example Sentence 2
During the flight review the instructor reviewed airspace procedures on the ground and then practiced emergency landings in the aircraft.