Overview
A Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) specializes in training pilots to fly aircraft under instrument flight rules (IFR), equipping them with the necessary skills to navigate and operate safely in various weather conditions. This role involves not only a deep understanding of flying techniques but also the ability to teach students the critical decision-making processes required while flying in low visibility situations. Instructors lead ground school sessions where students learn about instrumentation, meteorology, and navigation, followed by practical flight training to consolidate their theoretical knowledge. The CFII role is vital for ensuring that pilots can manage complex flight scenarios and maintain safety during instrument flying.
Flight Instructor Instrument 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 33 hours x $75.00 = $2,475.00
- Flight Training 10 hours x $245.00 = $2,450.00
- Ground School $195.00
- Written Test $180.00
- Practical Test $2,000.00
- Foreflight Essential Plan $260.00
- Insurance $245.00
- Total Instrument Rating Expected Expense $7,805.00
*Cost estimate assumes that you have already obtained a flight instructor airplane certificate. If you have not you can find that information here. The FAA does allow you to obtain Instrument instructor as your initial however we do not recommend this and the training costs would change in order to meet the requirements.
Training time frame
Depending on your training arability an flight instructor instrument certificate is typically obtained within three months.