How To Become A Certified Flight Instructor
If you’ve ever dreamed of an aviation career, becoming a certified flight instructor (CFI) can be an excellent option to consider. At East Bay Flight, we offer aviation training for those who wish to become a private pilot as well as those who wish to become flight instructors. Here’s a quick look at the steps you will need to take to earn your wings, so to speak.
1. Earn A Private Pilot’s License
Whether you have always wanted to learn to fly or wish to pursue a career as a pilot, earning your Private Pilot License (PPL) is the first step, and this step can take just a few months to complete.
You will need to log at least 40 hours of flight time to earn your PPL, and this includes 20 hours of flight training with a certified flight instructor as well as 10 hours of solo flight time where you are 100% in control of the aircraft. While 40 hours is the required amount, most students will log many more hours so that they feel as comfortable as possible in the air.
Typically, you will need to log both solo takeoffs and landings to practice these skills as well as practicing your radio communication with the flight tower. Additionally, you will need to log a solo cross-country flight, but this doesn’t mean you need to fly all the way to the East Coast. This is typically a flight of at least five hours duration that encompasses 150 nautical miles or more.
As part of your flight training, you also will need to attend ground school. This aspect of flight school includes learning the theoretical aspects of flying. This covers topics like aerodynamics, flight instruments, navigation, weather, and FAA regulations. Ground school will help prepare you for the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) Private Pilot Knowledge Test, and passing this test is required in order to earn your PPL.
You also will need to pass the FAA Private Pilot Checkride. This is a practical test in the air with an FAA examiner. The FFA representative will assess your takeoffs and landings, as well as a variety of in-air maneuvers and emergency procedures. After you’ve earned a passing score on your written exam and Checkride, you will be able to earn your PPL and be legally able to fly an aircraft with a single engine.
2. Earn A Commercial Pilot License (CPL)
The steps to earn your CPL are similar to your PPL as you need to log a set amount of flying hours (typically 250 hours total) and pass both a written exam and an FAA Checkride practical test.
For the 250 hours of flight time, 100 hours will need to be logged as Pilot-In-Command (PIC) and 50 hours will need to be cross-country flying. Again, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to fly completely across the United States. The goal is to practice flying long distances and flying for longer stretches of time.
3. Earn Your Instrument Rating
Technically, this aspect of pilot training is not a requirement to become a certified flight instructor, but we highly recommend that you complete this process. We actually recommend this step for any airplane pilot, even if you just wish to fly as a hobby.
When you earn your instrument rating as a pilot, you develop the skills and knowledge necessary to fly an aircraft in a wider range of weather conditions, particularly in low visibility situations. The instrument rating allows you to rely on your aircraft’s instruments rather than outside visual cues, which is critical for safe flight in clouds, fog, rain or at night.
4. Complete Your Flight Instructor Training
At East Bay Flight, we offer a comprehensive training program where we teach you how to instruct others. No required number of flight hours need to be logged, rather your instructor will work with you until they feel as though you have become proficient enough to teach others. Keep in mind, by the time you get to this stage you will have logged at least 40 hours for your PPL and 250 hours for your CPL.
5. Pass The FAA Exams & Checkride
The FAA requires the passage of two written exams – the Fundamentals of Instruction exam and the Flight Instructor Airplane exam –to obtain your CFI certificate. The first essential tests your knowledge of teaching principles while the latter tests your knowledge of flying and aircraft operation. Of course, there’s also the practical test or Checkride and this includes an oral exam as well as an actual flight test.
Optional Instructor Ratings
While the following ratings are optional, we highly recommend earning your Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument rating. Completing this level of pilot training allows you to teach instrument flight which is a crucial ability that we firmly believe all pilots should master.
Additionally, you can earn your Multi-Engine Instructor rating. This allows you to instruct in a multi-engine aircraft. If you have dreams of flying in a commercial aircraft or perhaps as a commercial pilot, this can be an excellent option to consider.
Additional Eligibility Requirements
In addition to the aforementioned aviation training, pilots also must be at least 18 years of age to become a certified flight instructor. Pilots also must understand the English language well enough to communicate with the flight tower.
Before you can earn CFI certification you also must obtain an FAA medical certificate. Typically, a CFI will need only a third-class medical certificate, which is the least stringent, or a second-class certificate. Commercial airline pilots will need a first-class certificate, but these are not needed if you plan to work as a certified flight instructor.
To earn a medical certificate, you will need to meet vision and hearing standards and your cardiovascular, neurological health and general physical health also will be evaluated. Certain psychiatric conditions may prohibit your ability to fly, such as a history of severe depression or bipolar disorder. A history of substance use disorder also may impact your ability to earn this medical certificate.
Book An Introductory Flight
Whether you simply wish to become a PPL or have dreams of becoming a certified flight instructor or commercial pilot, the instructors at East Bay Flight can make those dreams a reality and it all starts with a Discovery Flight. During this journey, we will take you up in the air and let you handle the controls for a bit so that you can truly get a sense of whether or not flying is a good fit for you. From there, you could be just months away from becoming a private pilot and perhaps making a career out of flying.