The CFI initial course is a very detailed, thorough and comprehensive course that requires a lot of hard work and dedication on the part of the applicant as well as the instructor. The course consists of about 50 hours of ground school, and 10-12 hours of flight training. CFI training is about being able to clearly teach aviation concepts, both on the ground and in flight. This course is not about piloting skills. At this stage it is understood that CFI applicants already hold at least a commercial pilot certificate and have already mastered the art of flying. Now it is about mastering the art of teaching aviation. This is the reason the CFI course focuses on ground training.
The ground school includes all the subject areas covered in the fundamentals of instruction and the Flight Instructor Aeronautical Knowledge. The applicant will have to spend a lot of time self-studying, and practice-teaching other students while the instructor is supervising.
When it’s time for the checkride, the applicant will have gained all the knowledge and confidence necessary to qualify as a flight instructor. The flight portion of the course includes all the private, commercial, and CFI maneuvers, while teaching from the right seat. The course also includes the required spin awareness, entry, and recovery techniques.
What are the prerequisites?
Must hold a Commercial Airplane license with instrument rating and 250 hours total time Must have passed the Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) and CFI Airplane Knowledge Tests, must have a sign off on instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins and spin recovery and a current third class medical certificate.
The Checkride
In most cases CFI applicants will take their CFI checkride with the local FAA FSDO inspector. This checkride is free of cost. There are times when the FSDO will schedule a checkride with a local DPE, and in that case there will be an examiner fee due to the DPE. A CFI applicant does not get to choose their examiner, one will be assigned.
How much does it cost?
Aspen Flying Club has the perfect complex aircraft for any Pilot looking to achieve their Initial Instructor Certificate. We have a large fleet of affordable, well-equipped aircraft to choose from. Assuming candidates meet the minimum hour requirements, this is an estimate of what to expect to pay during CFI training:
| Hours | Cost | Total |
| Aircraft rental | 10 | $125/hour (average cost) | $1,250 |
| CFI Ground School Course | | $2,995 | $2,995 |
| FAA Knowledge Exams (2) | 2 Exams | $165 | $330 |
| Aircraft rental for checkride | 2 | $125/hour (average) | $250 |
| FAA Examiner fee for checkride (if required) | | $1100* | $1100 |
| Misc. Books and Supplies | | | $100 |
| | | $6,025 |
* These prices are just an estimate. Actual costs will vary on an individual basis depending on different learning styles and the proficiency and preparation of the pilot. FAA Examiner costs vary by location, your examiner will give you their cost when contacted for your exam.
FAQs
The estimated total cost of a CFI training course is around $6,500-$8,000. However if you are doing a 141 CFI program expect to pay considerably more because it has rigid flight requirements.
How long does it take to become a certified flight instructor? ›
It takes approximately 12 months to become a Certified Flight Instructor and you must have logged at least 250 hours total time to get your certificate.
Are certified flight instructors in demand? ›
Flight Instructor jobs are in demand.
Flight instructors are currently in great demand and are expected to stay that way for many years.
What is the difference between CFI and CFIi? ›
Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI): A flight instructor for single-engine aircraft. Certificated Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII): A flight instructor that teaches instrument flying. Multi-Engine Instructor (MEI): A flight instructor for multi-engine aircraft.
Can you make a living as a flight instructor? ›
Unless you own a flying school your pay may always be less than an airline pilot particularly when you first start instructing. However, once you have gained considerable instructing experience it is possible to earn anywhere from $60,000 to $85,000 a year as a fulltime professional flight instructor.
Do flight instructors make a lot of money? ›
Flight Instructor Salary in California. $68,100 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $110,500 is the 75th percentile.
What is the highest salary of flight instructor? ›
The highest salary for a Flight Instructor in India is ₹83,435 per month.
What is the average age of certified flight instructors? ›
The average age of flight instructors is 40+ years years old, representing 67% of the flight instructor population.
How many hours a week does a flight instructor fly? ›
How many hours do Flight Instructors fly each month? On average, full-time CFIs fly about 80 to 100 hours per month. Though our top performing instructors can easily get 120 hours in a month. I addition you flight instructors also do an additional 100 hours of classroom and flight simulator instructions.
Is there a shortage of flight instructors? ›
One such hurdle is the persistent shortage of flight instructors. “Throughout the industry, there is just a pull” of pilots into other jobs, says Candise Tu, chief flight instructor at Carlsbad, California–based Civic Helicopters.
You don't need a CFI to get hired, but you will need more multi time. A CFI is good for guys who want to end up being check airman for an airline. It doesn't hurt to get it because once you get it, it is easy to keep.
Do flight instructor certificates expire? ›
A flight instructor needs to renew their CFI certificate every 24 calendar months from the month in which it was either issued, renewed, or reinstated. aIf a flight instructor allows their CFI certificate to expire, they will need to have it reinstated.
What is the hardest part of CFI training? ›
Setting up the commercial pilot maneuver eights-on-pylons is the hardest part.
How much does it cost to get your CFIi? ›
The approximate cost of the CFI course is $9,938. The approximate cost of the CFII add-on course is $5,452. The approximate cost of the MEI add-on course is $6,080. Our Certified Flight Instructor Courses will take you to the next level in you aviation career.
Can a CFI teach in their own plane? ›
If you ask your CFI to teach you in a new-to-you airplane you have purchased, expect the CFI to go through the aircraft's logbooks. A good CFI can turn this into a ground lesson, as you'll need to know what inspections to look for, ADs [airworthiness directives], etc.
How much does a flight instructor course cost? ›
Cost of obtaining the Flight Instructor Rating / FIC Pricing
| Cessna 152 | PA28-161 Warrior |
|---|
| FI (R) Rating (Flight training only) | £7,980.00 | £POA |
| FI (R) Rating Full Budget | £9,534.00 | £POA |
Candidates can have a general idea of approximate pilot Course fees: CPL Ground School Training: This Pilot course fees can vary, but they generally range from INR 1 lakh - INR 3 lakh. Flight Training: The Pilot training cost in India for this certificate can cost anywhere from INR 20 lakh - INR 40 lakh.
Is it hard to become a pilot instructor? ›
To become a flight instructor, you must hold a commercial or airline transport pilot certificate. You must also have an instrument rating. You will receive ground and flight training to obtain your instructor rating. You will also need to pass two knowledge tests.
