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Part 61 H: Flight Instructors

Eligibility (61.183)​

  • Must be 18 years old
  • Be able to read, speak, write, and understand the English language
  • Hold a commercial certificate and instrument rating
  • Hold an airplane category and single-engine class rating
  • 15 hours PIC in category/class
  • Spin endorsement
  • FOI and FIA knowledge tests
    • Note only the FOI requires an endorsement
  • Pass the practical test

Knowledge Areas (61.185)​

  • Receive and log ground training on the fundamentals of instruction
    • Or have a teaching credit for 7th grade or higher
  • Receive ground instruction on these aeronautical knowledge areas for:
    • Part 61.97 Recreational pilot knowledge areas
    • Part 61.105 Private pilot knowledge areas
    • Part 61.125 Commercial pilot knowledge areas

Flight Proficiency Requirements (61.187)​

  • Need ground and flight training around these areas:
    • Fundamentals of instructing
    • Technical subject areas
    • Preflight preparation
    • Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight
    • Preflight procedures
    • Airport and seaplane base operations
    • Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds
    • Fundamentals of flight
    • Performance maneuvers
    • Ground reference maneuvers
    • Slow flight, stalls, and spins
    • Basic instrument maneuvers
    • Emergency operations
    • Postflight procedures

Record Keeping (61.189)​

  • Must sign the logbook of each person you give ground or flight training to
  • Maintain these records for 3 years:
    • Anyone endorsed for solo
    • Any 90-day endorsement
    • Anyone endorsed for a knowledge or practical test, and the results of the test

Adding Additional Ratings (61.191)​

  • You must hold a pilot certificate for the category/class
  • Must have at least 15 hours of PIC time in the category/class
  • Receive and log ground/flight training per 61.183
  • Pass a knowledge test (except for the MEI)
  • Pass a practical test

Privileges (61.193)​

  • Provide training, recommendations, and endorsements
    • Recreational, sport, private, and commercial certificates
    • Knowledge tests and practical tests
    • Flight reviews
    • Authorize solo flights
    • Additional aircraft authorizations: complex, high-performance, tailwheel, high altitude, type ratings (if you hold them)
    • Training to complete a phase of the WINGS program

Limitations and Qualifications (61.195)​

  • Can't give more than 8 hours of flight instruction in any 24-hour consecutive period
  • Must hold category/class rating for the airplane giving instruction on
  • 5 hours PIC in the make/model when giving instruction in a multi-engine airplane
    • This only applies for training towards a rating (flight reviews are okay)
  • Can't self-endorse
  • Training a flight instructor applicant:
    • Have >200 hours of dual training given
    • Held your certificate for 2 years
    • Or, recommend 5 applicants and have an 80% first-time pass rate
  • Ground training for an initial CFI applicant requires:
    • Held your CFI or AGI for at least 2 years AND have given 40 hours of ground instruction
    • Or, given 100 hours ground training in any part 141 course

Recency and Reinstatement (61.197)​

  • Within the preceding 24 calendar months:
    • Done an IACRA event which was signed by a certified official
    • Take a CFI refresher course
    • Take a practical test for your current CFI or a new CFI rating
    • Recommend 5 applicants for checkrides and have an 80% first-time pass rate
    • Complete a phase of the WINGS program and provide 15 hours of flight time for at least 5 pilots
  • Reinstating
    • Grace period of 3 calendar months to do:
      • Pass a practical test for currently held or a new certificate
      • Pass a flight instructor refresher clinic (FIRC)

Pilot Logbooks (61.51)​

  • Sign endorsements with:
    • Date, signature, CFI number/Recency of experience date OR expiration date

Endorsements​

ACS​

Flight Instructor for Airplane Category ACS