I’ve done it several ways: Based on activity, ride with DPE, classroom FIRC and on line FIRC. I MUCH prefer the online FIRC from AOPA, for several reasons. First, you can complete the lessons at your own pace, and stretch it out over three months or so if you want. Second, AOPA has a LOT of good quality optional videos many of which I’ve found very educational. Third, they also give you “electives” so you can choose areas of interest to review to tailor the course to emphasize areas of knowledge you may be weak in or more interested in.
My least favorite renewal method was the butt buster weekend refresher......ow!! Next least favorite was the “based on experience”. I renewed with a DPE once and that was okay, but not as knowledge intense as I’ve found the AOPA FIRC to be.
ive also used a “Brand X” online FIRC and found it to be far less intensive than the AOPA FIRC. I just renewed via AOPA, and I’ll go there again in two years. I find that memory tends to fade in some areas that we don’t use regularly, and that course gives you the option of choosing areas to work on, and additional study materials if you want to go a bit deeper.
MTV