Apr 1, 2010 --- The term flight review is defined in the Federal Aviation Regulations Part 61.56. It consists of a minimum of one hour of flight instruction and one hour of ground instruction from a certified flight instructor. You may not act as pilot in command of an aircraft if you have not completed a flight review within the last 24 months. If you have received a pilot proficiency check from an examiner for a pilot certificate, rating or operating privilege you may substitute that for the flight review. Also, if you have satisfactorily completed one or more phases of an FAA sponsored pilot proficiency award program within the last 24 months you do not have to do a flight review.
Remember to make sure your instructor has given you the proper logbook endorsement when you complete the flight review or FAA pilot proficiency award program. Examples of the proper endorsements can be found in Advisory Circular 61-65E.