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WINGS - Pilot Proficiency Program (WINGS)

The WINGS Pilot Proficiency Program is a free FAA Safety Team (FAASTeam) program designed to help pilots maintain and improve their flying skills. Completing a phase of WINGS satisfies the flight review requirement of 14 CFR 61.56. The program includes online courses (knowledge activities) and flight activities organized by proficiency topic.

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Why This Document Matters

WINGS is the FAA's answer to the question "how do I stay proficient between flight reviews?" The program is organized into phases, each consisting of knowledge and flight activities across three topic areas that align with the leading causes of GA accidents: runway safety, aeronautical decision-making, and aircraft handling/control. Completing all required activities in a phase satisfies the flight review requirement, giving pilots an ongoing proficiency framework instead of a once-every-two-years check. The program is entirely free and accessible through FAASafety.gov.

Study This Document in One Loop

What is the Study Loop?

A 30-60 minute scenario-first session that replaces hours of passive reading.

Stage 1

Scenario

Your flight review is due in 3 months. You've flown 80 hours of VFR local flying since your last review. Your CFI suggests you do WINGS Phase 1 instead of a traditional review — 'it's free, you pick the topics, and it legally counts.' You've never used WINGS and don't know where to start on FAASafety.gov.

Stage 2

Decision

Which WINGS phase satisfies your flight review? Which 3 topic areas should you pick based on YOUR weakest flying skills? What's the CFI's involvement?

Write your answer before you open the handbook. That exposes the gap.

Stage 3

Targeted Learning

Open only these sections of the WINGS:

Program Structure (Basic, Advanced, Master phases — what each requires)
Knowledge Activities (online courses, seminars — count toward Knowledge requirement)
Flight Activities (with a CFI, logged — count toward Flight requirement)
Phase Completion = Flight Review (§61.56 substitution rule)

Stage 4

Debrief

Compare your Decision to what the handbook says:

?Basic Phase requires 3 Knowledge + 3 Flight activities across the three topic areas. Can you list the three topic areas?
?Knowledge activities on FAASafety.gov: which ones hit your weakest area (e.g., ADM, weather, runway safety)?
?Flight activity: any CFI logs it. It's not a checkride. What do you want to actually practice?
?Completion of a Phase = flight review for §61.56. No separate endorsement needed. Do you know how the WINGS record interacts with your logbook?

Stage 5

Reinforcement

Turn your biggest miss into fast-recall rules:

WINGS Basic Phase complete = flight review under §61.56. Automatically.
Topic areas: pick your 3 weakest. WINGS rewards you for studying what YOU need, not a canned curriculum.
It's free. The FAA is paying to keep you sharp. Use it.

What Order to Read the WINGS

Don't read by chapter number. Work the four phases. Start with whichever you're weakest in.

Survival Thinking

“What can hurt me?”

•Pick activities that address the hazards most likely to hurt YOU (not generic GA hazards)

Interpretation

“What am I looking at?”

•Program structure — phases, topic areas, credit types

Prediction

“What will happen?”

•A phase completion every 24 months = never having to cram a flight review

Checkride Mode

“Can I explain it under pressure?”

•N/A — but using WINGS is a sign of a proficient pilot. DPEs respect it.

Chapter-by-Chapter Guide

What each section covers and the key topics to study

Program Structure

How WINGS phases, levels, and activities are organized around pilot proficiency topics.

Key Topics

Three topic areas per phaseKnowledge activities (online courses, seminars)Flight activities (with CFI)Phase completion = flight reviewBasic, Advanced, and Master levels

Study Tips

Create a FAASafety.gov account and browse the WINGS catalog — many of the online knowledge activities are excellent free courses that count toward your next phase.
Use WINGS as a structured proficiency program between flight reviews. Instead of cramming everything into one review flight, spread your training across ongoing WINGS activities.
CFIs: conducting WINGS flight activities for your students counts as instruction activity that may help with your own CFI renewal record.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does completing a WINGS phase replace the flight review?

Yes. Completing a phase of the WINGS program satisfies the flight review requirement of 14 CFR 61.56. This means you do not need a separate flight review if you maintain current WINGS phase completion.

Is the WINGS program free?

Yes. The WINGS program is entirely free. Knowledge activities include online courses and FAASTeam seminars. Flight activities are conducted with a CFI (you pay for the aircraft and instructor time as you would for any training, but there is no WINGS program fee).

Quick Facts

Document ID: N/A
Last Updated: 2024
Cost: Free
Publisher: FAA

Applies To

PrivateInstrumentCommercialCFIATP

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