Once you have reached this stage in your flight training, you have already learned everything you need to know as a pilot about aeronautical knowledge and flight maneuvers. What you will learn during the Certified Flight Instructor Course is how to teach that knowledge to others.


You will notice that there are no flight time requirements outside the 3 hours test preparation and there are no "stages" to complete. During the course of this certificate, you will learn in detail the FAA airman certification process, the basic fundamentals of instructing, and how to prepare and execute both ground and flight lessons. Additionally, you will learn how to fly, and more importantly, how to teach from the right seat of the airplane. Paired with a Certified Flight Instructor with at least two years of experience, this course will be individually tailored based on your current proficiency level.

Cost

It is required by the FAA that you are Certified Flight Instructor and that the checkride be completed in a complex aircraft.  However you do not need to use a complex aircraft for all of your training. In order to minimize cost Trade Winds uses both the Cessna 172 (or Piper Archer) and a Piper Arrow to complete your training. Additionally, if you desire, your entire training can be completed in anyone of Trade Winds' complex aircraft. To see a complete list of our aircraft, please visit our aircraft fleet page.

Hours Description Per Hour Totals
10 Cessna 172P $98.00 $980.00
5 Piper Arrow II $130.00 $650.00
15 Flight Instruction $54.00 $810.00
40 Ground Instruction $54.00 $2,160.00

Books and Supplies
$100.00

Written Test Fee (2) $80.00 $160.00

Practical Test Fee
$300.00
3 Piper Arrow II (Practical Test) $130.00 $390.00



$5,550.00

*Note: These times are based on a student who’s current knowledge and proficiency meets Commercial Pilot standards, is familiar with the make and model aircraft they are using, and spends at least 10 to 15 hours of self study time per week in addition to the instruction they receive.

FAA Requirements

According to FAA FAR 61.183 a person must satisfy the following requirements to be eligible for a Instrument Raiting Certificate:

To be eligible for a flight instructor certificate or rating a person must:

  • Be at least 18 years of age;
  • Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language. If the applicant is unable to meet one of these requirements due to medical reasons, then the Administrator may place such operating limitations on that applicant's flight instructor certificate as are necessary;
  • Hold either a commercial pilot certificate or airline transport pilot certificate with:
  1. An aircraft category and class rating that is appropriate to the flight instructor rating sought; and
  2. An instrument rating or privileges on that person's pilot certificate that is appropriate to the flight instructor rating sought, if applying for--
  • A flight instructor certificate with an airplane category and single-engine class rating;
  • A flight instructor certificate with an airplane category and multiengine class rating;
  • A flight instructor certificate with a powered-lift rating; or
  • A flight instructor certificate with an instrument rating.
  • Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor on the fundamentals of instructing listed in Sec. 61.185 of this part appropriate to the required knowledge test;
  • Pass a knowledge test on the areas listed in Sec. 61.185(a)(1) of this part, unless the applicant:
  1. Holds a flight instructor certificate or ground instructor certificate issued under this part;
  2. Holds a current teacher's certificate issued by a State, county, city, or municipality that authorizes the person to teach at an educational level of the 7th grade or higher; or
  3. Is employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.
  • Pass a knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas listed in Sec. 61.185(a)(2) and (a)(3) of this part that are appropriate to the flight instructor rating sought;
  • Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor on the areas of operation listed in Sec. 61.187(b) of this part, appropriate to the flight instructor rating sought;
  • Pass the required practical test that is appropriate to the flight instructor rating sought in an:
  1. Aircraft that is representative of the category and class of aircraft for the aircraft rating sought; or
  2. Flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of the category and class of aircraft for the rating sought, and used in accordance with an approved course at a training center certificated under part 142 of this chapter.
  • Accomplish the following for a flight instructor certificate with an airplane or a glider rating:
  1. Receive a logbook endorsement from an authorized instructor indicating that the applicant is competent and possesses instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery procedures after providing the applicant with flight training in those training areas in an airplane or glider, as appropriate, that is certificated for spins; and
  2. Demonstrate instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery procedures. However, upon presentation of the endorsement specified in paragraph (i)(1) of this section an examiner may accept that endorsement as satisfactory evidence of instructional proficiency in stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery procedures for the practical test, provided that the practical test is not a retest as a result of the applicant failing the previous test for deficiencies in the knowledge or skill of stall awareness, spin entry, spins, or spin recovery instructional procedures. If the retest is a result of deficiencies in the ability of an applicant to demonstrate knowledge or skill of stall awareness, spin entry, spins, or spin recovery instructional procedures, the examiner must test the person on stall awareness, spin entry, spins, and spin recovery instructional procedures in an airplane or glider, as appropriate, that is certificated for spins;
  • Log at least 15 hours as pilot in command in the category and class of aircraft that is appropriate to the flight instructor rating sought; and
  • Comply with the appropriate sections of this part that apply to the flight instructor rating sought.

*Note: This list is intended for informational purposes only goto FAA.gov for more information.