Overview
Flight Instructor training is a crucial step for experienced pilots seeking to share their knowledge and skills with aspiring aviators. This rigorous program not only deepens instructors’ understanding of flight principles but also equips them with effective teaching methods and communication techniques. Students engage in both theoretical and practical training, focusing on topics such as flight maneuvers, regulations, and instructional strategies. By completing Flight Instructor training, pilots enhance their own flying proficiency while gaining the ability to mentor and develop the next generation of aviators, ultimately contributing to a safer and more skilled aviation community.
Flight Instructor Requirements
- Possess a commercial pilot airplane certificate.
- Posses at least a third class FAA Medical certidicate.
Flight Instructor Privileges
- Within the limitations of your specific flight instructor certificate, you are authorized to provide training and issue logbook endorsements for:
- Student Pilots: Accept applications for student pilot certificates.
- Pilot Certificates: Training required for Sport, Recreational, Private, Commercial, and Flight Instructor certificates.
- Ratings: Aircraft ratings, instrument ratings, and type ratings (when appropriately rated).
- Proficiency & Recency: Flight reviews, instrument proficiency checks (if holding a CFII), and training to improve the skills of existing certificated pilots.
- Testing: Endorsements for required practical and knowledge tests
Flight Instructor Limitations
- Aircraft Qualifications: You cannot conduct flight training in an aircraft category, class, or type rating for which you do not hold both a pilot and flight instructor certificate.
Instrument Training: To provide instrument training or endorse an applicant for an instrument rating, you must hold the appropriate instrument rating on your flight instructor certificate.
Flight Time: You are restricted from logging more than 8 hours of flight instruction in any 24-consecutive-hour period.
Commercial Operations: Your CFI privileges do not permit you to conduct operations requiring an air carrier or operating certificate (e.g., you cannot act as a commercial pilot-in-command solely under your CFI certificate)
Cost Estimate
- Practical Ground Training 66 hours x $75.00 = $4,950.00
- Flight Training 10 hours x $245.00 = $2,450.00
- Ground School 2 x $195.00 = $390.00
- Written Test 2 x $180.00 = $360.00
- Practical Test $2,000.00
- Foreflight Starter Plan $130.00
- Insurance $245.00
- Total Instrument Rating Expected Expense $10,525.00
Training time frame
Depending on your training arability a flight instructor airplane certificate is typically obtained within three months.