Certified flight instructor requirements FAA

ADVANCE FLYING ACADEMY

The FAA Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) requirements outline the qualifications and steps you must meet to become a certified instructor. Below are the specific FAA requirements to obtain a CFI certificate:

1. Prerequisite Certifications

Before you can apply for a CFI certificate, you must hold the following FAA pilot certifications:

Private Pilot Certificate (PPL): You must hold a Private Pilot Certificate to be eligible for a CFI. This is the foundational certification for flight training.
Instrument Rating (Recommended, but not required): While an Instrument Rating (IR) is not mandatory to become a CFI, it is highly recommended, especially if you plan to teach students pursuing their instrument rating.

2. Age Requirement

You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a CFI certificate.

3. English Language Proficiency

You must be able to read, speak, write, and understand English. This is required for communication with air traffic control and for instructional purposes.

4. Medical Certificate

You must hold at least a second-class FAA medical certificate, which ensures you meet the physical and mental health standards necessary for flying and instructing others.

5. Flight Experience and Hours

To be eligible for the CFI certificate, you must meet the following flight hour requirements:

Minimum of 250 hours of total flight time, including:
- 100 hours of flight time as Pilot in Command (PIC).
- 50 hours of cross-country flight time (a cross-country flight is defined as one that is at least 50 nautical miles from the departure point).
- 10 hours of night flight time, including at least 1 cross-country flight at night.
- 20 hours of flight training with an authorized instructor, which should include:
  - 3 hours of night flight training.
  - 3 hours of cross-country flight training.
  - 3 hours of training in preparation for the CFI check ride.

6. Knowledge Test (Written Exam)

You must pass the FAA Certified Flight Instructor Knowledge Test (also known as the CFI written exam). This test includes questions about:

Aerodynamics: Principles of flight, aircraft systems, and performance.
FAA Regulations: Knowledge of FAR Part 61 and FAR Part 91, which govern flight operations.
Flight Operations: How to plan, conduct, and evaluate flights.
Instructional Techniques: How to teach flight maneuvers, procedures, and concepts to students.
Weather: Understanding of aviation weather conditions and how to interpret weather reports.

7. Flight Training

You must undergo flight training with a certified instructor. This training will cover:

Teaching Maneuvers: You'll learn how to teach students basic and advanced flight maneuvers (e.g., stalls, steep turns, emergency procedures).
Instructional Techniques: Training on how to instruct students effectively, including how to break down complex maneuvers and explain concepts.
Mock Check Rides: Practice check rides where the instructor simulates a student and evaluates your teaching methods and flight proficiency.

8. Oral Exam

Once you pass the written exam, you will be required to take an oral exam with an FAA examiner. The oral exam will assess your knowledge and ability to teach. You will be asked about:

Flight Theory: Aerodynamics, performance, and aircraft systems.
Teaching Techniques: How to effectively teach various flight maneuvers and address common student errors.
Flight Regulations: A review of the pertinent FAA rules and regulations.

9. Practical Test (Check Ride)

The final step in obtaining your CFI certificate is the practical test or check ride with an FAA examiner. During the check ride:

The examiner will act as a student pilot and you will be required to demonstrate how to teach and perform various flight maneuvers.
You will need to demonstrate your ability to instruct, perform maneuvers, and manage the flight environment while ensuring safety at all times.
The examiner will assess your communication and instructional techniques to make sure you can effectively teach students.

10. Additional Ratings (Optional)

After obtaining the basic CFI certificate, you can pursue additional ratings:

CFII (Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument): Allows you to teach instrument flying.
MEI (Multi-Engine Instructor): Allows you to teach in multi-engine aircraft.
Other Ratings: Depending on the types of aircraft you plan to instruct in, you might seek ratings such as seaplane instructor or type ratings for specific aircraft.

11. Currency Requirements

Once you obtain your CFI certificate, you must maintain your currency in order to continue instructing. This includes:

Biennial Flight Review (BFR): CFIs must complete a Biennial Flight Review (BFR) every two years to maintain their teaching privileges.
Log Sufficient Flight Hours: To maintain your teaching privileges and continue gaining experience, you need to keep logging flight hours, both as pilot-in-command (PIC) and as a CFI.

Summary of FAA CFI Requirements

Hold a Private Pilot Certificate (PPL).
Meet flight hour requirements (250 hours total flight time, including specific hours in cross-country, night, and PIC).
Pass the FAA Certified Flight Instructor Knowledge Test (written exam).
Complete flight training with a qualified CFI.
Pass the oral exam with an FAA examiner.
Pass the practical test (check ride) with an FAA examiner.
Obtain a second-class FAA medical certificate.
Be at least 18 years old.
Demonstrate English proficiency.

By meeting these FAA requirements, you will be eligible for certification as a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), allowing you to begin teaching aspiring pilots.

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