Flight Instructor Program
For those that want to gain hours or go into a career as a pilot, a becoming a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) is a way to build experience, while getting paid to fly. CFI training is about being able to clearly teach aviation concepts, both on the ground and in-flight. This course is not about piloting skills, instead it focuses on mastering the art of teaching aviation. This is the reason the CFI course focuses so heavily on ground training.
To be eligible for a flight instructor certificate or rating a person must:
-
Be at least 18 years of age;
-
Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language.
-
Hold either a commercial pilot certificate or airline transport pilot certificate with instrument rating.
-
Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor on the fundamentals of instructing listed in § 61.185 of this part appropriate to the required knowledge test;
-
Pass a knowledge tests with a score of 70 percent or better. (Flight/Ground instructor and Fundamentals of Instruction)
-
Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor indicating that the applicant is competent and possesses instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery procedures.
-
Log at least 15 hours as pilot in command in the category and class of aircraft that is appropriate to the flight instructor rating sought
-
Pass the required practical test