How do I get flight instructor credentials?

We already have a lot of aviation experience and would like to pass it on to others? Or is sharing our passion for flying with others what we want to do in life? In both of these cases, the ideal solution is to obtain the certificate of flight instructor OFI (A), which will be a valuable point in the career of any professional pilot (CPL). Instructor qualifications are still very valuable qualifications that are in high demand. This is due to several facts. First, with the spread of aviation, more and more people want to fly airplanes. Secondly, there is an increasing demand for this very power, which brings a lot of practical and unique experience. However, let us remember that if we decide to obtain an FI (A) flight instructor license, we cannot treat it only as a means of obtaining a raid call. An aircraft instructor is a profession that requires constant improvement of one's own skills and qualifications combined with great responsibility, but also brings a lot of satisfaction.

What types of instructor privileges do we have?

If we talk about the rights of an aircraft instructor, then we can not fail to mention other powers that also fit into the concept of instructor. Therefore, in addition to the FI (A) aircraft instructor license discussed in this article, where we are the general training instructor, we also distinguish:

• TRI — type training instructor,
• IRI — Instrument Flight Training Instructor
• SFI/STI — flight instructor on synthetic flight simulation devices (simulators),
• CRI — training instructor for an aircraft class (for example, multi-engine aircraft),
• MCCI — instructor of training in the field of cooperation in a multi-person crew,
• FTI — pilot pilot training instructor
• MI — flight instructor in mountainous terrain.

So, as we can see, there are really a lot of licenses related to flight instruction. In addition, we should also know abbreviations such as HT, CFI and CTKI. Admittedly, these are not abbreviations for subsequent trainings, but abbreviations of the formal positions that the training organization must designate. So, as we can guess, first we need to become an instructor with the appropriate authority and experience, and then we can be appointed to the position in question. Concluding this aspect, it would be useful to know what position is hidden under a given abbreviation. And so also HT is the head of training in the training organization. Its task is to control the entire organization of training. CFI is the head of practical training instructors. Consequently, he supervises the practical instructors. CTKI, in turn, is the head of instructors of theoretical training and deals with practically the same as CFI, only in the field of theoretical training, not practical training.

Who can become an FI (A) flight instructor?

A pilot who has previously completed a CPL or PPL course may become an FI (A) flight instructor. However, it is worth knowing that in these two cases we have slightly different guidelines. But let's start with the fact that in order to take FI (A) training at all, it is necessary to complete 10 hours of IFR training on the appropriate category of aircraft, of which a maximum of 5 hours can be carried out on a simulator. In addition, the candidate is required to complete at least 20 hours of navigation flight as PIC. The difference occurs during the so-called additional conditions. In the case of a CPL (A) license, the candidate can apply for the qualification of an aircraft instructor without additional requirements, while in the case of holding a PPL (A) license, an advance of 200 hours of flight on aircraft or motorboats is required, of which a minimum of 150 hours as PIC is required. In addition, it is necessary to pass the theoretical exam for the CPL - interestingly, in this case we do not have to take part in the training itself, but only pass the exam. However, this is not all. To become an FI (A) flight instructor, it is still necessary to complete a 30-hour SEP flight and perform a VFR navigation flight as a PIC. In addition, the flight must be carried out at a distance of at least 540 km, and during the flight there will be two landings at two different airports and a landing with a full stop.

The FI (A) training itself consists of 125 hours of theoretical learning and 30 hours of flight training. Before the start of the training, the candidate must undergo a control flight with the instructor, during which his current skills and potential to be an instructor are evaluated.

What do FI (A) entitlements give us?

What do we really get after completing the FI (A) Flight Instructor Qualification Training? First of all, the possibility of conducting training for basic licenses such as PPL and LAPL. We can also train CPL applicants, but on condition that we already have a minimum of 200 hours of in-flight training on a given category of aircraft. In addition, we are prepared to teach trainees in class and type of single-crew aircraft entitlements, VFR NOC entitlements.

With FI (A) qualifications, we can also train for flights according to the indications of the instruments — IR and EIR. However, for this to happen, it is necessary to fulfill certain conditions:

• A minimum of 200 hours of IFR flight is required, of which a maximum of 50 hours may be spent on the simulator,
• In the case of multi-engine aircraft, the duration of the raid must be as much as 500 hours, of which 30 as PIC,
• The need to complete appropriate CRI training (in the case of multi-engine aeroplanes),
• The need to complete IRI training and pass the competency assessment,

In the beginning we have “limited powers”

After completing the training and passing the exam, we have the qualifications of an FI flight instructor, but with the letter (R). This means that they are limited and allow us to conduct training, but only under the supervision of a more experienced instructor, with a FIFI (A) license. In this case, we cannot allow students to take the first independent flights. However, the above limitations can be lifted if we meet certain conditions, that is, we carry out at least 100 hours of flight training and we are after supervising at least 25 independent flights of students.

An FI with limited powers can train:

• For LAPL and PPL licenses,
• For SEP allowances (except for complex aircraft), VFR NOC,
• In integrated training, but only up to the PPL level.

‍