Flying Mentor

In order to obtain a Flight Instructor Certificate, you must hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate, and you must successfully pass the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI), and Flight Instructor FAA Knowledge Test and a Practical Test. The Practical Test consists of an oral examination and a flight test.

Usually, to be able to obtain a job with an airline, corporate, or charter company, requires a lot more flight time and experience than the 200-300 hours of flight time gained while earning your ratings. One way to increase your flight time and experience is to become a Flight Instructor.

Flight Instructors teach a various levels. They offer primary instruction for the Private Pilot Certificate as well as more advanced instruction for a Commercial Certificate, Instrument Rating, Multi-Engine Rating, and Airline Transport Pilot Certificate. When you are teaching your students, you can log those hours as your flight time, and get paid for those hours, while you work as a Flight Instructor.

The job of Flight Instructor is considered a steppingstone to more lucrative positions. But some remain in the teaching field. If certain high standards are attained, they can qualify for the Federal Aviation Administrations (FAA) "Gold Seal", which identifies them as a superior teacher.

Requirements

- Be at least 18 years of age

- Hold a commercial pilot certificate or ATP Certificate

- Hold an instrument rating (for helicopter CFI)

- Be able to read, speak, and understand the English language

- Obtain at least a current third-class medical certificate

- Have logged at least 250 hours (200 for helicopters) and the required        training for the CFI rating per FAA regulations

   Must hold a valid third class medical

- Pass a knowledge test as well as the practical test