Get Paid To Build Time

A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) is a professional pilot authorized to teach others how to fly aircraft and prepare them for obtaining various pilot certifications. CFIs provide hands-on instruction in the cockpit and ground training on topics such as navigation, flight maneuvers, safety procedures, and regulations. Their primary responsibility is to ensure that student pilots gain the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to operate an aircraft safely and proficiently. Many CFIs work at flight schools or independently, and they often use their role as a stepping stone to accumulate the flight hours required for careers as airline or corporate pilots.

To become a CFI in the United States, candidates must meet several requirements. They must hold at least a commercial pilot certificate or an airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate and possess an instrument rating. Aspiring CFIs must also complete specific training in aeronautical knowledge, instructional techniques, and flight skills. Passing two Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) exams is mandatory: the Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) written test and the CFI written test. Additionally, candidates must pass a practical exam, which includes both a rigorous oral evaluation and a flight checkride with an FAA examiner. Once certified, CFIs must maintain currency and adhere to FAA standards to remain eligible to teach.