Flight instructor

A flight instructor teaches people how to fly aircraft. While the exact privileges of a flight instructor certification differ by country, the general role is to improve or assess a pilot’s knowledge and skills as they work toward a more advanced pilot license, certificate, or rating. In the U.S., a certificated flight instructor (CFI) can provide the training and endorsements needed for student, private, commercial, or other pilot certificates. They may also give the three hours of instrument training required for a private pilot certificate (this does not require a separate instrument instructor rating).

To train for an instrument rating, the CFI must hold an instrument instructor rating (CFII); a safety pilot cannot provide this training—safety pilots only help instrument-rated pilots maintain proficiency by flying the required six instrument approaches, holding, intercepting, and tracking courses within the preceding six months. CFIs can endorse flight reviews (formerly called biennial flight reviews, now just flight reviews under 14 CFR part 61.56), prepare applicants for practical tests (typically three hours within the prior 60 days), and endorse knowledge tests (written exams).

Privileges

Limitations apply: instructors training future flight instructors must have held their own certificate for at least 24 months and given at least 200 hours of instruction. Specific training programs under 14 CFR parts 141 and 142 have extra requirements, and local controlling agencies (usually flight standards district offices) often require special authorization for instructors to conduct evaluations. U.S. flight instructors must hold at least a commercial pilot certificate.

Eligibility requirements

Those teaching in airplanes or powered-lift aircraft also need an instrument rating in that category and class. Sport pilot certificate holders (or higher) can get a flight instructor certificate with a sport pilot rating, allowing them to teach for the sport pilot certificate in light-sport aircraft. All applicants must pass two additional written exams: the fundamentals of instruction (FOI) and a knowledge test specific to the aircraft category (e.g., fixed-wing), plus a practical test. Instructors must be at least 18 years old.