CFI – Certified Flight Instructor
A Certified Flight Instructor Has an Incredibly Important Job.
Included in Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics and Associate of Science in Aviation Studies programs. We are all only as good as the training we receive, so the importance of certified flight instructor training cannot be understated.
CAU provides in-depth, comprehensive flight instructor certification training that results in a highly qualified, knowledgeable certified flight instructor who cares deeply for his or her students and is committed to their success. These ratings and certificates are earned through either the Bachelor's or Associate's program.
Certificated Flight Instructor Highlights
Earn Within Second Year Of Training
Students in the Bachelor of Science in Aeronautics program can become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) within their second academic year.
Ground + Flight Training
In a combination of classroom and flight instruction, students are prepared to become a CFI.
Receive Spin Training
Students receive instruction on stall and spin awareness and recovery.
Learn To Instruct Others To Fly
Students learn the skills to conduct student aviation instruction, with emphasis on training progression, corrective techniques and safety.
Certificated Flight Instructor I (Basic)
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Certificated Flight Instructor
Additional Highlights
During ground training, you will gain the fundamentals necessary to instruct and evaluate students as they embark on their own piloting journeys.
With a curriculum emphasis on human learning theory, you will be equipped with the skills that are useful for interacting – in an effective way – with a broad range of student learning styles. You will complete this course with the information necessary to operate as a highly-qualified, knowledgeable, and empathic flight instructor.
Using your own skills, education, and experience as a pilot, you will develop a strategy for implementing student assessments and evaluating student flight abilities.
Self-assessments will provide you with the insight necessary to instruct effectively. Self-discipline and maturity are highlighted as essential components of successful student achievement and will be integrated into your assessments. Application of ground training in scenarios of stalls, collisions, wake turbulence, and unusual altitude awareness are all explored in the context of actual flight instruction. Combined knowledge of curriculum, student psychology, and hands-on application will assist in preparing you to pass the Flight Instructor Practical Test.
Career Outlook
As an employed Certificated Flight Instructor, or CFI, you will be paid to share your knowledge as you fly. Those with this certification are qualified to instruct students in both Private Pilot and Commercial Single-Engine courses, and are able to gain their own flight hours, simultaneously.
A Certified Flight Instructor is able to gain employment in the following positions: first officer, pilot, captain, line pilot, charter pilot, check airman, or flight operations director. Multiple businesses hire those with this certification, including airlines, agricultural organizations, flight schools, tour and charter operations, cargo carriers, private companies, and government agencies.
Certified Flight Instructors must have previously obtained an airline transport certificate (ATP) or hold a commercial pilot certificate. In the United States, there are two professional organizations – the National Association of Flight Instructors and the Society of Aviation and Flight Educators – available to support you as you progress along this career path. For more information about graduation rates, fees, and career prospects, visit our consumer information page.
PRIVATE PILOT CERTIFICATE
INSTRUMENT PILOT RATING
COMMERCIAL PILOT CERTIFICATE
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR INSTRUMENT
MULTI-ENGINE RATING