Skip to content
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Always Active
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.

No cookies to display.

Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.

No cookies to display.

Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.

No cookies to display.

Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.

No cookies to display.

Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.

No cookies to display.

ADMISSIONS: 661-615-5915 | MAIN LINE: 661-615-5915

What Is The Path To Becoming A Flight Instructor?

With aviation such a wide-open and expanding field in a burgeoning economy, the industry has a great need for flight instructors. Not only are higher-paying jobs in airlines, cargo operations, and charter companies commanding higher salaries and thus more new pilots, many flight instructors who work to accumulate the minimum number of hours required for other work often quickly leave flight schools, leaving instructors scrambling to find enough staff to meet an ever-growing need.

Not only can many qualified flight instructors take their pick of which school at which to teach in many parts of North America, the job is rewarding and challenging. Some pilots undertake instructing as a hobby or as a way to remain connected to aviation after retirement. Instructing constantly asks a pilot to attend to his or her own flying skills while welcoming others to the world of aviation. If you would like to become a flight instructor, the vital first step is to understand what the journey entails.

 

Train With a Flight School or Instructor

Some pilots who wish to work professionally in aviation begin their training as flight instructors not long after earning their private certificate, instrument rating, and commercial certificate. While working as a flight instructor is certainly not a requirement to begin a career as a pilot, it is one of the most popular avenues to “build time” en route to becoming an airline, cargo, or charter pilot. Some flight instructors remain in the realm of the military. Jobs are plentiful, many instructors enjoy schedule flexibility, and flying as an instructor is an excellent way to concentrate on the principals of aviation, safety, and skills.

Flight instructors must obtain both pilot and flight instructor certificates for each category and class of airplanes in which he or she intends to instruct. (In some cases, this includes obtaining a type rating, both as a pilot as well as an instructor.) Some flight schools combine online training modules with in-person instructing, cockpit experience, and time in a simulator (specifically, in the process of earning an instrument rating.)

A flight instructor may become either a basic ground instructor (BGI) and train pilots intent upon becoming sport or recreational pilots, as well as private pilots. Other flight instructors continue their careers in education by becoming an advanced ground instructor (AGI), which means he or she is eligible to offer ground training for anyone studying for a part 61 pilot certificate. Another certificate is the multi-engine instructor (known as MEI), which allows a CFI to instruct in twin-engine airplanes. Finally, flight instructors can earn “the double I”; this allows instructors to train students for earning their instrument rating. In addition to this, flight instructors must refresh their training at regular intervals in compliance with FAA standards.

 

Fulfill the Requirements

While one can earn a private pilot certificate at 17, he or she must wait until becoming 18 to become a flight instructor. As English is the international language of aviation, he or she must demonstrate the ability to understand, read, and speak it, although it is possible to operate as an instructor with specific limitations where this requirement is concerned. Flight instructors must also hold at least a third-class medical certificate, meeting the requirements for such as dictated by the FAA. Logbook endorsements from an authorized flight instructor are also required.

Flight instructor hopefuls must amass at least 250 hours in the air and 15 hours as pilot in command of the aircraft type in which they hope to instruct. Before taking the FAA exams permitting them to become flight instructors, they must earn an instrument rating, which demonstrates advanced knowledge of weather systems and flying without the benefit of strong visibility.

 

Take The Exams

They must also hold a current ATP or commercial certificate and earn a score of more than 70% on an FAA-administered flight instructor demonstrated knowledge test. The 250 hours of flying required to take the exams must take place in an actual cockpit. The most stressful aspect of becoming a flight instructor is usually passing a practical knowledge exam administered by an FAA inspector.

The practical knowledge “check ride” can take up to two days, especially if the weather isn’t cooperating, but it typically spans at least half a day. The FAA inspector will ask the CFI applicant to demonstrate command of the aircraft, present a sample ground school lesson, and then sits in the left seat of the aircraft as a “student.” This is the main difference between a CFI check ride and any other practical exam: The applicant must exhibit instructional knowledge, not merely knowledge.  The principle under question needs to be understood and taught, not just performed to commercial standards.

 

Hone Your Piloting, Professional, and Educator Skills

Becoming a successful flight instructor isn’t simply a matter of fulfilling the FAA requirements and presenting the required documents. Good flight instructors are dedicated individuals who understand the enormity of their task and who respect the safety and professional protocols that come with training future pilots. They must also comply with the FAA regulations which govern them; for example, instructors may not train pilots for more than eight hours in a 24 hour period. There’s a reason why significant aspects of the training to become a flight instructor concern not just learning safety standards, but how to teach others the ins and outs of commanding a cockpit and making responsible decisions.

Flight instructors understand that they may need to adjust their teaching style to best meet the needs of their students. They do their best to understand the student’s limitations and strengths, and never act with condescension or disrespect to either fellow pilots or future aviators. A flight instructor has the responsibility to represent the best of the aviation world to must act as a role model both in and out of an airport environment. Acting ethically as well as reliably enables a flight instructor to speak with authority and work as a positive influence on those around him or her.

Ready to soar in your aviation career?

Schedule a Meeting Here

1 thought on “What Is The Path To Becoming A Flight Instructor?”

  1. Hi! I got FAA commercial licence, I am from colombia so I came to the states to study, however, I have arrive in Colombia and I want to become an instructor. I want to know if I could beomce one at your school in order to get the visa F1 in order to get hours while I work as an instructor? I appreciate your herlp.

Comments are closed.