How To Become A Certified Flight Instructor

Becoming a certified flight instructor, or CFI

, can open up many job opportunities in aviation. CFIs are in demand at airports and universities to give flight lessons. The military and airlines hire them to run their pilot training programs. A CFI can even open his own flight school.

As of November 2010 an average flight instructor earned about $31,000. For this reason, many CFIs consider this achievement as only another step toward their real goal of becoming a pilot for a larger airline. For others, though, it is a lifetime career.

Before becoming a CFI, a student must first become a pilot. To get his pilot's license he has to pass a written and oral test, a medical examination, and demonstrate his skill in flying an airplane under visual flight rules.

Once he completes this initial step in pilot training, his flight lessons are far from over. He must now return to flight school to practice instrument flight rules or IFR. This allows the pilot to fly under poor weather conditions when visibility is limited. The pilot must practice approaching airports and taking off during rain storms or heavy fogs.

The next step is to get a commercial license. This is helpful in any pilot's aviation career because it allows him to begin making money from his skill. He can now carry passengers for hire or haul freight. In order to get this license, a pilot must be at least 18 years old and have logged 250 hours at the controls of an aircraft. Just like he did when he got his private license, the student must pass oral and written tests, a medical examination and demonstrate his proficiency in flight. Commercial licenses can be issued for single or multi-engine aircraft. If the pilot wants to fly larger planes he will have to have at least 10 hours of multi-engine practice.

Finally, the student is ready for his CFI course. Here he must learn to conduct pilot training while sitting in the right hand side or instructor's seat. He is now the one who will give the flight lessons and administer the oral and written evaluations. He is the one responsible for maintaining safety and making sure all procedures, from filing a flight plan to running through the pre-flight check, are done correctly. He will do all of this under the watchful eye of a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) appointed inspector who will finally declare that the student instructor is ready for his certificate.

There are three levels of flight-instructing licenses issued by the FAA. The most basic is the CFI. This allows the instructor to teach at a flight school for private or commercial pilots of single engine aircraft. The Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument (CFII) allows the instructor to teach instrument flight rules. The Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI) is authorized to teach more advanced students who are commercial or airline pilots of larger aircraft. This last certificate can lead to a job as an instructor at a major airlines with a higher salary than average.

Once the CFI has obtained his license, he must renew it every two years. In order to do this, he must provide evidence that he is actively giving flight lessons. This might include proof that at least five of his recent flight school students obtained their licenses with an 80% pass rate. Another verification of employment in pilot training could be a letter of appointment as a company check pilot or flight instructor along with a logbook showing flight time as an instructor.

Providing continuing education certificates in the field are also valid ways to renew a CFI license. The FAA will accept a weekend Certified Flight Instructor Course, and will even allow a renewal applicant to take a practical test with an FAA appointed instructor.

It is not easy to become a Certified Flight Instructor, but the rewards are many. This could develop into a lifelong career or be a stepping stone to other aviation opportunities. The path may be a long one, but for someone who loves flying and savors accomplishment it is a journey well worth the effort.

by: John Smith

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