FLIGHT INSTRUTOR CERTIFICATION

TEACH THE STUDENT PILOTS OF TOMORROW

Two smiling people, a man and a woman, stand with their arms crossed in front of a small white airplane. The man is wearing colorful shorts and a white T-shirt, while the woman is wearing blue pants, a white T-shirt, and sunglasses. The scene is outdoors on a sunny day, with multiple small airplanes parked on the tarmac.

Flight instruction is an incredibly rewarding career. Many of our graduates come to work for us after their training and others come to work for us from all over the world because of how we teach, what we teach, and the aviation family we offer.

Two men in sunglasses standing in front of small airplane, holding a handmade sign with drawings and handwritten text.

Getting started

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Getting started ᯓ ✈︎

Learn what it takes to BECOME A CFI

    • At least 18 years of age and hold at least a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating.

    • Third class medical certificate training and checkride (Note: class III medical is acceptable when acting as a CFI).

    • FAA Fundamentals of Instructing and Flight Instructor Knowledge Tests (passing grade is 70%)

    • FAA practical test

  • The FAA imposes no minimum training requirement for the instructor certificate itself, but you must receive and log flight and ground training from an authorized instructor on the areas of operation listed in FAR §61.185 & 61.187.

    CFI applicants must also receive an endorsement from an instructor on instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins and spin recovery procedures. You’ll also need to pass 2 written tests – the Fundamentals of Instructing and Flight Instructor Airplane Knowledge Tests.

  • Ground training includes:

    • The learning process

    • Elements of effective teaching

    • Student evaluation and testing

    • Course development

    • Lesson planning

    • Classroom training techniques

    • All aeronautical knowledge areas for recreational, private, and commercial pilots

    Flight training includes:

    • Fundamentals of instructing

    • Technical subject areas

    • Preflight preparation

    • Preflight procedures

    • Airport base operations

    • Takeoffs, landings and go-arounds

    • Fundamentals of flight

    • Performance maneuvers (steep turns, chandelles, lazy 8s)

    • Ground reference maneuvers (rectangular course, turns around a point, S-turns, 8s on pylons)

    • Slow flight, stalls, and spins

    • Basic instrument maneuvers

    • Emergency operations

    • Postflight procedures

    CFI applicants must receive an endorsement from an instructor on instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins and spin recovery procedures. This means we take you up in one of our Citabrias for an exciting lesson or two on upsets, stalls, spins, and how to prevent and recover from various situations. Fun!

    You’ll also need to pass 2 written tests (Fundamentals of Instructing and Flight Instructor Airplane Knowledge Tests), create lesson plans, and fly to Commercial standards while teaching from the right seat.

  • Cost will vary based on your previous experience and instrument currency. We would love to customize a course designed for you, so please contact our office to begin your training and build a schedule.

    •  Rates: See our Aircraft Fleet and Instructors pages

Prices and rates are subject to change without notice. All training and rentals are subject to the terms and conditions in the Renter’s Agreement. Minimum 24 hours’ notice required for cancellation or you may be charged for the rental time.

Two men shaking hands in front of a small airplane outdoors, with trees and a fence in the background.