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.

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

• Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII)

  • Can instruct instrument students and other CFII students

• Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI)

  • Can instruct multi engine students

CFI Requirements

Course Prerequisites

• Ability to read, write and speak English

• Be at least 18 years old to start training

• Commercial pilot certificate or airline transport pilot certificate and an instrument rating

• BasicMed or higher

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.