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Are you a natural leader? Are you the patient, mentoring type of person that always seems to be answering somebody’s questions? Do you aspire to a career as an airline pilot? Can you handle the responsibility of creating a new generation of aviators?
If so, you may have what it takes to become a flight instructor. The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) Certificate allows you to act as an extension of the FAA. As a CFI, you become responsible for training and certifying pilots who will then go forward and operate within the nation’s airspace. One of the many bonuses of being a CFI is that each hour of flight instruction you give may be logged as pilot-in-command (PIC) time.
Your ground lessons will focus on learning the fundamentals of instruction, creating lesson plans and practicing how to teach. You will also review all of the responsibilities and privileges of the CFI and perfect your knowledge of all the material needed to work with primary and advanced students. Your flight training will encompass learning to fly from the right seat, and perfecting your performance of the required maneuvers for the CFI practical test.
QUALIFICATIONS TO OBTAIN THE CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATE FOR SINGLE ENGINE AIRCRAFT:
You must be at least 18 years of age.
You must read, speak, write and understand English.
You must have a commercial pilot’s certificate (or ATP)
You must have an instrument rating.
Note: Detailed requirements are found in CFR 61.183