FAA WINGS Program: Eligibility, Phases, and Flight Review Replacement

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Table of Contents#

1. What Is the FAA WINGS Program?
2. FAA WINGS Program Eligibility Requirements
3. Core Phases of the FAA WINGS Program 3.1 Basic Phase 3.2 Advanced Phase 3.3 Master Phase
4. How WINGS Satisfies Your Mandatory Flight Review Requirement
5. Additional Benefits of WINGS Participation
6. Step-by-Step Guide to Signing Up for WINGS
7. Frequently Asked Questions
8. Final Thoughts
9. References

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What Is the FAA WINGS Program?#

First launched in the 1990s and updated to its current proficiency-based model in 2007, WINGS (short for Workshop Information Network for Ground and Safety) is a free, voluntary training program focused on reducing preventable aviation accidents. As of 2024, over 1.2 million pilots have participated in the program.

Unlike the standard BFR, which is a one-time check of basic skills, WINGS lets you customize your training to match your experience level, aircraft type, and flying goals (e.g., backcountry flying, instrument operations, commercial charter, drone mapping). All knowledge courses are developed by FAA safety experts and available for free online, while flight tasks are completed with a certificated flight instructor (CFI) at your convenience.#

FAA WINGS Program Eligibility Requirements#

Virtually all U.S. certificated airmen qualify for the WINGS Program, including:

• Pilots holding any valid FAA manned pilot certificate (sport, recreational, private, commercial, ATP, CFI, CFII, MEI)
• Part 107 remote (drone) pilots
• Student pilots (earn credit for pre-certificate training that counts toward future WINGS phases)
• Flight instructors and aviation safety volunteers

To earn WINGS credit for completed activities, you must also hold a valid medical certificate or BasicMed qualification appropriate for your operating privileges. You do not need a current flight review to create an account or complete knowledge courses.#

Core Phases of the FAA WINGS Program#

WINGS is structured in three progressive phases, each valid for 24 calendar months. You can repeat lower phases as many times as you like, or progress to higher levels for advanced skills and additional benefits.

3.1 Basic Phase#

The entry-level phase is ideal for new private pilots, pilots returning to flying after a break, or casual GA pilots.

Completion Requirements:#

• 3 free online knowledge courses (30-60 minutes each) covering core safety topics (e.g., runway safety, aeronautical decision making, VFR weather hazards, airspace rules)
• 3 flight training tasks signed off by a CFI, covering basic proficiency areas (e.g., normal and emergency takeoffs/landings, navigation, stall/spin recovery)

Core Perk: Completion automatically satisfies your 24-month flight review requirement.#

3.2 Advanced Phase#

Designed for instrument-rated, commercial, and experienced GA pilots who want to build beyond basic proficiency.

Completion Requirements:#

• 3 advanced-level knowledge courses (e.g., icing avoidance, high-performance aircraft systems, complex airspace operations, risk management for commercial flights)
• 3 advanced flight tasks signed off by a CFI (e.g., partial-panel instrument approaches, emergency descents, short/soft field landings in high-altitude terrain)

Core Perks: Satisfies flight review requirements, counts toward CFI renewal eligibility, and qualifies you for 5-15% discounts from participating aviation insurance providers.#

3.3 Master Phase#

The highest WINGS level, built for career pilots, aviation educators, and expert GA pilots.

Completion Requirements:#

• 3 master-level knowledge courses (e.g., upset recovery theory, UAS integration for manned pilots, human factors in aviation accidents, safety management systems for flight departments)
• 3 master-level flight tasks signed off by a CFI with relevant ratings (e.g., turbine engine emergency procedures, Category II/III approach operations, backcountry flying proficiency)
• 1 community safety activity (e.g., volunteer as a FAASTeam representative, teach a ground school for new pilots, present at a local aviation safety seminar)

Core Perks: Official FAA WINGS Master Pilot certificate, priority access to FAA safety events, resume recognition for airline/corporate pilot job applications, and satisfaction of flight review and CFI renewal requirements.#

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How WINGS Satisfies Your Mandatory Flight Review Requirement#

Per 14 CFR 61.56(e), the FAA explicitly recognizes completion of any WINGS phase (Basic, Advanced, Master) as a valid replacement for the standard 24-month flight review. Key details to note:

1. No separate BFR checkride is required: Your WINGS completion is logged directly to the FAA airmen database, and you will receive an official digital certificate for your records.
2. The 24-month clock resets on your phase completion date: If you complete a WINGS phase 6 months before your current flight review expires, your next required review is 24 months from the WINGS completion date, not your original BFR due date.
3. You can combine WINGS with other recurrent training: Instrument-rated pilots can count WINGS flight tasks toward their instrument proficiency check (IPC) requirements, while Part 107 drone pilots can use WINGS completion to satisfy their mandatory 24-month Part 107 recurrent training requirement.

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Additional Benefits of WINGS Participation#

Beyond replacing your flight review, WINGS offers tangible perks for all pilot types:

• Free training resources: All 300+ WINGS knowledge courses are 100% free, and many qualify for continuing education credits for aviation professionals.
• CFI renewal credit: Per 14 CFR 61.197, completing 2 WINGS phases (or 1 Master phase) in your 24-month CFI renewal cycle qualifies you to renew your CFI certificate without taking a practical test.
• Industry recognition: WINGS digital badges can be shared on LinkedIn, pilot resumes, and pilot profile platforms to demonstrate your commitment to safety to employers and insurers.
• Targeted skill building: You can filter WINGS courses and tasks to match your specific flying use case, from backcountry flying to drone survey operations.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Signing Up for WINGS#

Getting started with WINGS takes less than 10 minutes:

1. Go to the official FAASafety.gov website and create a free account using your FAA Airmen Certificate number or FAA Tracking Number (FTN) for student pilots.
2. Navigate to the WINGS Program tab in your user dashboard.
3. Select your desired phase level, and browse available courses filtered by topic, completion time, and difficulty.
4. Complete knowledge courses at your own pace: Progress is automatically saved to your account.
5. Schedule flight tasks with a CFI of your choice. Your CFI can log task sign-offs directly to your WINGS account via their own FAASafety.gov profile.
6. Once all phase requirements are complete, you will receive an official completion certificate via email within 7 business days, and your record will be updated in the FAA airmen database.

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Frequently Asked Questions#

Q: Does WINGS cost money to join?#

A: No, the WINGS Program is 100% free to join, and all knowledge courses are free. You only pay for CFI time for your flight tasks, the same as you would for a standard BFR.

Q: Can I get credit for flight training I already completed?#

A: Yes, you can submit flight tasks completed within the last 12 months for WINGS credit, as long as you have a written CFI sign-off for those tasks.

Q: How long do I have to complete a WINGS phase?#

A: You have 12 calendar months from the date you start a phase to complete all requirements. If you do not finish in that window, you can restart the phase at any time.

Q: Do international pilots qualify for WINGS?#

A: Only holders of valid U.S. FAA pilot certificates are eligible for WINGS credit that counts toward U.S. flight review requirements.#

Final Thoughts#

The FAA WINGS Program is one of the most underused resources for U.S. pilots, offering a flexible, cost-effective, and safety-focused alternative to the standard flight review. Whether you’re a new student pilot just starting your training, a career airline pilot, or a Part 107 drone operator, WINGS lets you build relevant skills that reduce your accident risk while checking the box for mandatory recurrent training.#

References#

1. FAA Safety Team. (2024). FAA WINGS Program Official Guide. Retrieved from https://www.faasafety.gov/WINGS/
2. 14 CFR Part 61.56: Flight Review Requirements. Retrieved from https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-14/part-61/section-61.56
3. FAA General Aviation Joint Steering Committee. (2023). WINGS Program Safety Efficacy Report. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/data_research/aviation_data_statistics/safety_reports/ga_safety/wings_efficacy
4. FAA Part 107 Recurrent Training Guidance. Retrieved from https://www.faa.gov/uas/commercial_operators/part_107_recurrent_training