Certified flight instructor hours

ADVANCE FLYING ACADEMY

To become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), you must meet specific flight hour requirements set by the FAA. The hours required to obtain the CFI certificate are part of the broader flight training and experience needed to qualify for various certifications. Here's a breakdown of the flight hours required for a Certified Flight Instructor:

1. General Flight Hours for CFI Certification

a. Total Flight Time:

You must have a minimum of 250 hours of total flight time to be eligible for a CFI certificate. This includes all types of flight time accumulated in various roles such as pilot-in-command (PIC), co-pilot, and solo flights.

b. Pilot-in-Command (PIC) Time:

100 hours of PIC time are required. This is the time when you are the sole person responsible for the operation of the aircraft. It includes hours accumulated during solo flights, cross-country flights, and dual instruction.

c. Cross-Country Time:

50 hours of cross-country flight time is required. Cross-country flight time refers to flights that are conducted over a distance greater than 50 nautical miles from the point of departure. This time can be accumulated as part of your general flight training.

d. Night Flight Time:

10 hours of night flight time is required. This includes flying at night and typically involves tasks such as night cross-country flights, takeoffs, landings, and other maneuvers in low-light conditions.
Of the 10 night hours, at least 5 hours must be in night cross-country flying.

e. Dual Instruction Time:

20 hours of dual flight instruction with an experienced CFI** are required before you can take your check ride for the CFI certificate. During this time, you will work on improving your teaching skills and preparing for the practical exam.

f. Solo Flight Time:

While the FAA doesn’t specify a minimum amount of solo time for the CFI certificate itself, you must have accumulated solo flight time during the course of your earlier pilot certifications (Private Pilot, Commercial Pilot).

2. Additional Requirements for CFI Certification

a. FAA Knowledge Test:

Before obtaining your CFI certificate, you must pass the FAA Certified Flight Instructor Knowledge Test. This written exam tests your understanding of aviation theory, regulations, aerodynamics, teaching techniques, and other related subjects. You need to score at least 70% to pass.

b. FAA Practical Test (Check Ride):

After completing the required hours and passing the written test, you must pass the CFI practical test or check ride. This is where you demonstrate your ability to instruct a student pilot and perform flight maneuvers while explaining them.

3. Time Building to Become a CFI

Many aspiring CFIs accumulate the required hours by working as flight instructors after they obtain their Private Pilot Certificate and Commercial Pilot Certificate. Flight schools often employ CFIs to teach student pilots, allowing instructors to continue building flight hours and gaining experience for future aviation careers.

b. CFI Hour Accumulation:

Flight schools and aerobatic schools are common places where new CFIs build their hours.
CFIs often work to earn additional ratings (like Instrument Flight Instructor (CFII) or Multi-Engine Flight Instructor (MEI)) after becoming a CFI to increase their qualifications and the number of hours they can teach.

4. Maintenance of CFI Currency

Once you obtain your CFI certificate, you must maintain currency through continued flight training, flight reviews, and teaching. The FAA requires that you:

a. Flight Review:

You must complete a flight review every 24 months to remain current. This includes at least one hour of flight training and one hour of ground instruction to ensure you remain proficient as an instructor.

b. Instructor Proficiency:

If you're not regularly teaching, you may be required to demonstrate proficiency to maintain your CFI status, which may involve a flight review or an Instructor Proficiency Check.

5. Summary of CFI Flight Hour Requirements

To summarize, the minimum flight hour requirements to become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) are:

250 total flight hours.
- 100 hours of PIC time.
- 50 hours of cross-country time.
- 10 hours of night flight time (including 5 hours of night cross-country).
- 20 hours of dual flight instruction with a CFI.

These are the essential flight hour requirements needed to be eligible for a CFI certificate. However, keep in mind that many flight schools and training programs may have additional requirements or expectations, so it's important to confirm specifics with the school or organization where you plan to complete your training.

CLICK 👉 download 300 aviation books just 1 MB

CLICK 👉 AIRBUS A320 COURSE

CLICK 👉 BOEING 737 PILOT COURSE

CLICK 👉 BOEING 747 PILOT COURSE

CLICK 👉 BOEING 757 PILOT COURSE

CLICK 👉 BOEING 767 PILOT COURSE

CLICK 👉 BOEING 777 PILOT COURSE

CLICK 👉 BOEING 787 PILOT COURSE

CLICK 👉 CESSNA 150 PILOT COURSE

CLICK 👉 CESSNA 152 COURSE

CLICK 👉 CESSNA 162 SKYCATCHER

CLICK 👉 CESSNA 172N SKYHAWK