Pilot reference
The FAA WINGS program, explained
WINGS is the FAA’s voluntary pilot proficiency program. Its practical value to most pilots is simple: every phase you complete counts as a flight review.
How a phase works
- A phase is a set of knowledge and flight activities, three of each, completed within a 12-month period (AC 61-91K, 7.3.1). Knowledge activities are online courses, seminars and webinars; flight activities are flown with an instructor who validates them.
- Each completed phase satisfies the flight review: 14 CFR 61.56(e) says a pilot who has completed one or more phases of an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program in the period need not accomplish the flight review. AC 61-91K adds that this is true each time you earn a new phase, however closely spaced.
- A phase is valid for 12 months. There are three levels, Basic, Advanced and Master, and Basic Phase 1 comes first.
- Everything is tracked in your account on FAASafety.gov. Credit for online courses from outside providers matches on the email address in that account.
The instructor’s logbook endorsement for a completed phase is A.70 in AC 61-65K: “I certify that [name], [grade of pilot certificate], [certificate number], has satisfactorily completed Level: [Basic/Advanced/Master], PHASE NO. [..] OF A WINGS PROGRAM ON [DATE].”
Why pilots and instructors bother
- It replaces a single every-two-years event with smaller, regular proficiency work.
- Some aviation insurers offer premium credits for WINGS participation; ask yours what it recognizes.
- For instructors, conducting WINGS flight activities is one of the six ways to meet CFI recent experience: at least 15 activities evaluating at least 5 different pilots in 24 calendar months, plus a phase of your own in the last 12 (61.197(b)(2)(v)). CFI recent experience.
FlightWay is not a WINGS provider and its content does not earn WINGS credit. Courses that do are listed on FAASafety.gov.
Does WINGS count as a flight review?
Yes. Under 14 CFR 61.56(e), completing one or more phases of an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program within the 24-calendar-month period means you need not accomplish the flight review.
How many activities are in a WINGS phase?
Three knowledge activities and three flight activities, completed within 12 months (AC 61-91K, 7.3.1).
What is the WINGS endorsement number?
A.70 in AC 61-65K, dated 14 November 2025.
Sources
- AC 61-91K, WINGS—Pilot Proficiency Program, dated 30 October 2024 (cancels AC 61-91J), sections 7.2, 7.3 and 8.4.
- 14 CFR 61.56(e) and 14 CFR 61.197(b)(2)(v) (eCFR Title 14, current as of 9 November 2026).
- AC 61-65K, Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors, endorsement A.70. FAASafety.gov.
- Checked on 11 November 2026. If a rule has changed since, the regulation governs; tell us and we will correct the page.
Keeping a club or a school current
FlightWay tracks every member’s flight review, medical and endorsements, warns before they lapse, and can stop a booking that would break the club’s rules. Flight reviews and IPCs are booked and signed in the same place.
Last updated 11 November 2026.