Certified Flight Instructor

Becoming a flight instructor is the next step in your aviation career. Being a flight instructor allows you to build time and experience quickly and it is considered the best way to truly learn about aviation. Flight instructors are the teachers of aviation and are trained to prepare students to pass their check rides and create new safe and proficient pilots.

Three Types of Flight Instructors

There are 3 types of flight instructors, but everybody starts out as just a normal certified flight instructor. However, if you want to teach more advanced students in more complex aircraft and subject matter, you will have to pursue additional flight instructor ratings.

  • Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)

    • Can instruct private and commercial students

    • Can give endorsements

  • Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)

    • Can instruct instrument students and other CFII students

  • Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI)

    • Can instruct multi engine students

If you plan to work as a flight instructor, it is beneficial to pursue future ratings because it puts you above other instructors applying for a position. In addition, you may be eligible to earn more and instruct more advanced students.

CFI Requirements

Course Prerequisites

Training Requirements

CFI differs from the other ratings in that there is no minimum hour requirement to take your CFI practical test but it is based on flight proficiency. All of your flying will be from the right seat so your instructor will sign you off to take the test when they feel you are proficient at flying from the right seat.

  • Fundamentals of Instructing Written Test

  • Flight Instructor Airplane (or Helicopter) Written Test

For your training, you will need a flight instructor who has held their CFI certificate for over 2 years.

Working as a Certified Flight Instructor

After receiving your CFI you are eligible to work at a flight school or instruct on your own as a freelance flight instructor. Flight instruction may serve as a temporary job in your career to build hours for the airlines or it may be a part time position that keeps you flying in general aviation at no cost to you! CFI’s typically make between $15-$50 per hour and can legally flight instruct up to 8 hours per day. However, having more qualifications such as a CFII or MEI may increase your pay and will make your job more enjoyable. At our flight school, we prefer to hire instructors who have gone through our program. Therefore training with us will put you on our radar and will help you in finding a place to work. Many flight schools allow you to set your own schedule giving you the flexibility to work when you want to and how often you want to.