Flight instructor
Encyclopedia
A flight instructor is a person who teaches others to fly
aircraft
. Specific privileges granted to holders of a flight instructor qualification vary from country to country, but very generally, a flight instructor serves to enhance or evaluate the knowledge and skill level of an aviator
in pursuit of a higher pilot's license, certificate or rating.
Certain limitations are placed on the instruction a flight instructor may give; for example, flight instructors wishing to train applicants for a flight instructor certificate must have held their own flight instructor certificate for at least 24 months and given at least 200 hours of instruction. Specific training programs have additional requirements or limitations.
All individuals desiring flight instructor privileges must pass two additional written exams (Fundamentals of Instruction, or FOI; and a knowledge test specific to the category of aircraft in which instructional privileges are desired, such as fixed-wing
) as well as a practical test.
Flight Instructors must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible.
Those airmen who hold Commercial Privileges in Lighter-Than-Air aircraft (Balloons and Airships) have flight instructor privileges in those category and classes they have on their pilot certificate. Lighter-Than-Air flight instructor privileges do not get placed on a Flight Instructor Certificate.
(SAFE) and National Association of Flight Instructors
(NAFI).
In Canada, the holder of a commercial pilot licence or airline transport pilot licence may have their licence endorsed with a flight instructor rating - aeroplane. Initially, the pilot is endorsed as a Class 4 flight instructor. This allows the pilot to deliver flight training towards the issuance of a Recreational Pilot Permit, Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence, Night Rating, and VFR Over-the-top Rating. The Class 4 flight instructor may only conduct training while under the supervision of a Class 2 or Class 1 flight instructor.
After satisfying certain requirements (satisfactory flight test records, experience requirements, written exams, and flight tests), an instructor can upgrade their rating to a Class 3, Class 2, and Class 1 instructor rating. The Class 3 flight instructor does not require the supervision of a Class 2 or Class 1 flight instructor. The Class 2 flight instructor may supervise Class 4 flight instructors and act as the Chief Flight Instructor (CFI) of a flight training unit. The Class 1 flight instructor may give ground school and flight training towards the endorsement of a flight instructor rating.
In order to give instruction towards the instrument rating, multi rating, type ratings, and class conversions (for example, land plane to sea plane), an instructor rating is not necessarily required. The requirements may be limited to holding a commercial or airline transport license and having met certain experience levels (such as time on type and in class). In the case of an instrument rating, the holder of a flight instructor rating can teach it even if they do not have the experience level required for non-flight instructors. Details are contained in the Canadian Aviation Regulations, Parts 401 and 421.
must have a Category A, B, C, D or E flight instructor rating.
The Category E rating is specifically for conducting agricultural (top dressing, etc.) flying instruction. Category D flight instructor may conduct type ratings for any aircraft for which they hold a type rating. Category C flight instructors cannot send students on their first solo, and must operate under the supervision of a Category A or B flight instructor.
The Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) is the flying instructor responsible for all flight training at an organization.
NZ CAA Advisory Circular on Flight Instructor Ratings
Flight
Flight is the process by which an object moves either through an atmosphere or beyond it by generating lift or propulsive thrust, or aerostatically using buoyancy, or by simple ballistic movement....
aircraft
Aircraft
An aircraft is a vehicle that is able to fly by gaining support from the air, or, in general, the atmosphere of a planet. An aircraft counters the force of gravity by using either static lift or by using the dynamic lift of an airfoil, or in a few cases the downward thrust from jet engines.Although...
. Specific privileges granted to holders of a flight instructor qualification vary from country to country, but very generally, a flight instructor serves to enhance or evaluate the knowledge and skill level of an aviator
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
in pursuit of a higher pilot's license, certificate or rating.
Privileges
A person who holds a flight instructor certificate ( called a "Certificated Flight Instructor", or CFI) is authorized to give training and endorsements required for, and relating to:- a student, private, commercial or other pilot certificatePilot licensing and certificationPilot licensing or certification refers to permits to fly aircraft that are issued by the National Aviation Authority in each country, establishing that the holder has met a specific set of knowledge and experience requirements. This includes taking a flying test. The certified pilot can then...
; - the 3 hours of training with reference only to instruments in preparation for a Private Pilot certificate, note that this does not need to be a CFII.
- an Instrument RatingInstrument ratingInstrument rating refers to the qualifications that a pilot must have in order to fly under IFR . It requires additional training and instruction beyond what is required for a Private Pilot certificate or Commercial Pilot certificate, including rules and procedures specific to instrument flying,...
, only if the CFI has an Instrument Instructor Rating (CFII); This cannot be given by a "Safety pilotSafety pilotA safety pilot is a certified pilot who scans for other aircraft while another pilot practices instrument approaches or other maneuvers under simulated low visibility conditions while the practicing pilot wears a view limiting device that prevents the pilot from seeing outside the cockpit window...
". A safety pilotSafety pilotA safety pilot is a certified pilot who scans for other aircraft while another pilot practices instrument approaches or other maneuvers under simulated low visibility conditions while the practicing pilot wears a view limiting device that prevents the pilot from seeing outside the cockpit window...
can only be used to help maintain instrument proficiency with an instrument-rated pilot by flying the required six instrument approaches-holding-intercepting/tracking courses, within preceding six calendar months. - a Flight Instructor Certificate is only given if he has met the experience requirements (detailed below);
- a flight review, endorsement (BFR)Biennial flight reviewA periodic flight review is mandated for pilots by the aviation authorities of many countries. The review takes different forms in different countries....
, or recency of experience requirement; - preparation for a practical test (typically three hours within the preceding 60 days in preparation for a certificate or rating); or
- endorsement for a knowledge test (written examination)
Certain limitations are placed on the instruction a flight instructor may give; for example, flight instructors wishing to train applicants for a flight instructor certificate must have held their own flight instructor certificate for at least 24 months and given at least 200 hours of instruction. Specific training programs have additional requirements or limitations.
Eligibility requirements
Flight instructors in the United States must hold at least a commercial pilot certificate or ATP (Airline Transport Pilot) certificate. Individuals wishing to give instruction in airplanes or powered-lift aircraft are additionally required to hold an instrument rating in the desired category and class. Holders of a sport pilot certificate may obtain a flight instructor certificate with sport pilot rating, allowing them to give instruction for the sport pilot certificate in light-sport aircraft.All individuals desiring flight instructor privileges must pass two additional written exams (Fundamentals of Instruction, or FOI; and a knowledge test specific to the category of aircraft in which instructional privileges are desired, such as fixed-wing
Fixed-wing aircraft
A fixed-wing aircraft is an aircraft capable of flight using wings that generate lift due to the vehicle's forward airspeed. Fixed-wing aircraft are distinct from rotary-wing aircraft in which wings rotate about a fixed mast and ornithopters in which lift is generated by flapping wings.A powered...
) as well as a practical test.
Flight Instructors must be at least 18 years of age to be eligible.
Common misunderstanding
The Flight Instructor Certificate is often mis-identified as a Certified Flight Instructor. The FAA issues Flight Instructor Certificates but does not "certify" instructors. Those issued a Flight Instructor Certificate are technically referred to as Certificated Flight Instructors (CFI) or the holder of a Flight Instructor Certificate, even though it is exceedingly common (even in the FAA) and generally accepted to refer to a CFI as a 'certified flight instructor.'Those airmen who hold Commercial Privileges in Lighter-Than-Air aircraft (Balloons and Airships) have flight instructor privileges in those category and classes they have on their pilot certificate. Lighter-Than-Air flight instructor privileges do not get placed on a Flight Instructor Certificate.
Professional organization
In the United States, two professional organizations represent flight instructors nationally: Society of Aviation and Flight EducatorsSociety of Aviation and Flight Educators
The Society of Aviation and Flight Educators is a professional organization open to all aviation educators, including flight instructors, ground instructors, academicians, and others who have an interest in aviation education...
(SAFE) and National Association of Flight Instructors
National Association of Flight Instructors
The National Association of Flight Instructors is a United States professional organisation for flight instructors. Founded in 1967, NAFI is dedicated exclusively to "raising and maintaining the professional standing of the flight instructor in the aviation community". In 1995 it became an...
(NAFI).
Canada
This section currently covers only the aeroplane flight instructor ratings.In Canada, the holder of a commercial pilot licence or airline transport pilot licence may have their licence endorsed with a flight instructor rating - aeroplane. Initially, the pilot is endorsed as a Class 4 flight instructor. This allows the pilot to deliver flight training towards the issuance of a Recreational Pilot Permit, Private Pilot Licence, Commercial Pilot Licence, Night Rating, and VFR Over-the-top Rating. The Class 4 flight instructor may only conduct training while under the supervision of a Class 2 or Class 1 flight instructor.
After satisfying certain requirements (satisfactory flight test records, experience requirements, written exams, and flight tests), an instructor can upgrade their rating to a Class 3, Class 2, and Class 1 instructor rating. The Class 3 flight instructor does not require the supervision of a Class 2 or Class 1 flight instructor. The Class 2 flight instructor may supervise Class 4 flight instructors and act as the Chief Flight Instructor (CFI) of a flight training unit. The Class 1 flight instructor may give ground school and flight training towards the endorsement of a flight instructor rating.
In order to give instruction towards the instrument rating, multi rating, type ratings, and class conversions (for example, land plane to sea plane), an instructor rating is not necessarily required. The requirements may be limited to holding a commercial or airline transport license and having met certain experience levels (such as time on type and in class). In the case of an instrument rating, the holder of a flight instructor rating can teach it even if they do not have the experience level required for non-flight instructors. Details are contained in the Canadian Aviation Regulations, Parts 401 and 421.
New Zealand
Flight instructors in New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
must have a Category A, B, C, D or E flight instructor rating.
The Category E rating is specifically for conducting agricultural (top dressing, etc.) flying instruction. Category D flight instructor may conduct type ratings for any aircraft for which they hold a type rating. Category C flight instructors cannot send students on their first solo, and must operate under the supervision of a Category A or B flight instructor.
The Chief Flying Instructor (CFI) is the flying instructor responsible for all flight training at an organization.
NZ CAA Advisory Circular on Flight Instructor Ratings
External links
- What it takes to become a CFI
- Computer Testing Supplement for Flight and Ground Instructor FAA 2001
- Derek W Beck's Flight Instructor Resources - Lesson Plans, Tutorials, and Explanations of Maneuvers
- Flight Instructor Directory