Become a Certified Flight Instructor
A lot of people enjoy flying an aircraft as a hobby or sport. Others use their skills to make an income. Being a commercial pilot is one way to have a career using your knowledge of flying airplanes. However, you may choose to become a certified (or, using the FAA's terminology, certified) flight instructor if flying a plane for a career is not appealing to you. As a flight instructor, you can work for educational institutions or open a flight program of your own.
Contents
[hide]Steps
- Gain your private pilot license by enrolling in a flight school or other program with a certified flight instructor.
- Complete the coursework successfully and apply for a private pilot license. This means you can fly a private aircraft without pay.
- You must be at least 17 years old to take part in testing for your private pilot license.
- Get an instrument rating.
- You gain this rating by flying according to instrument flight rules (IFR).
- This allows you to fly in certain weather conditions such as rain and fog.
- Apply for a commercial pilot license.
- You must be at least 18 years old, have 250 hours of flight time in the air, hold an instrument rating and undergo an additional medical exam.
- Seek a flight instructor certificate.
- Your commercial pilot license and instrument rating must be issued for the type of aircraft with you will be using for teaching prospective pilots.
- Gain a logbook endorsement from an authorized flight instructor that lists time spent learning the fundamentals of flight instruction.
- Take and pass a knowledge test for flight instructors.
- Complete and pass a practical test for flight instructors.
- Prove that you are able to provide sufficient instruction in the areas of spin entry, spins and spin recovery.
- Log a minimum of 15 hours of being in command of a pilot.
- Receive a flight instructor certificate and begin working as a certified flight instructor.
- Sign the logbook of every person that receives training from you.
- Do not give more than 8 hours of flight training during each 24-hour period.
- Maintain your flight instructor certificate through the renewal process.
Warnings
- Not complying with all of the federal rules and regulations associated with being a flight instructor can have serious consequences. Always stay up to date on news from the Federal Aviation Administration.
Things You'll Need
- Private pilot license
- Instrument rating
- 250 hours of flight time
- Commercial pilot license
- Logbook endorsements from authorized flight instructors
- Passing results on medical, knowledge and practical flight tests
- Proof that you are competent to instruct others during specific areas of flight
- 15 hours of time in command of a pilot
