Flight instructors work with airlines or education institutions where they train students pursuing flying courses. They use a variety of instructional techniques, including flight simulators and dual-controlled aircraft to help trainees learn to fly various types of aircraft. To secure the Federal Aviation Administration’s flight instructor certification, you must meet complete several steps.
The path to becoming a certified flight instructor begins with securing a private pilot license. To achieve this, you must be at least 17 years old and pass the FAA's written knowledge and practical flight tests for private pilots, which are given by FAA examiners and can be administered at a flight school. You also need a first-class FAA medical certificate, which can be obtained after being examined by an FAA-designated Aviation Medical Examiner.
The next step to becoming a certified flight instructor is to obtain an instrument rating, which permits pilots to fly under "Instrument Flight Rules." IFR are a set of regulations established by the FAA to govern flights where pilots fly using only electronic signals and instruments in the flight deck, because outside visual reference is unsafe. Instrument rating examinations are conducted by FAA examiners and involve written and practical tests. They test a pilot's ability to evaluate weather, dispatch a flight and navigate the aircraft in various weather conditions.
A commercial pilot license also is a prerequisite to becoming a CFI. To obtain it, you need to complete the steps above -- secure a private pilot license and an instrument rating --, have at least 250 hours of flying experience, and pass the FAA’s knowledge and practical tests for commercial pilots.
The last step to becoming a CFI is passing the FAA's knowledge test, oral examination and a practical flight test for flight instructors, all which are conducted by FAA examiners. You can obtain more credentials, such as the Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument, to improve your competence. The flight instructor certification expires after two years, and can be renewed by taking a flight instructor certification renewal course.
