What is the Flight Instructor Rating?

The Flight Instructor (FI) enables pilots who hold a Private Pilot's Licence (PPL) or Commercial Pilot's Licence (CPL) to teach student pilots under the European JAA licencing system. Instruction must initially take place under the supervision of an 'unrestricted' FI, until the holder of the rating becomes unrestricted himself following the attainment of a certain amount of instructional experience. The FI rating will not only provide its holder with valuable experience in teaching and as a pilot, but will also enable the instructor to pursue an attractive career in aviation.

If your chosen path is to become a professional instructor, you will find your career extremely rewarding: Whether you are sending your student on their first solo flight, or seeing them "land" their first airline job, the satisfaction achieved through the competence and responsibility as a flight instructor is incomparable. It will also develop your own skills to a superior level.

If your chosen career path is to become an airline pilot, becoming a flight instructor can be a valuable source of experience and put you in a much better position to pass an airline's entrance test first time and with a high grade. This is a significant advantage in a highly competitive job market, because the hours gained as a flight instructor are seen as "time well spent" by a future employer, due to the nature and continuity of flying. An instructor who gains 500 hours through instruction is developing piloting skills and high procedural standards, whereas a pilot merely "burning hours" through paid-for time building may learn nothing at all - or even adopt bad habits, which are difficult to change.

In the eyes of a recruiting airline, there is no comparison between a 'normal' pilot and an FI pilot, and the difference between the two would be apparent in the interview and simulator check which are routinely used in such selection procedures. For this reason, becoming a flight instructor is a central part of EFT's Airline Pilot Programme™.

Training for the FI Rating

The FI course consists of 30 hours of flying, as well as 128 hours of briefing, classroom practice, and directed study. A number of progress tests are integrated in the course schedule to assess the instructor's ability and aptitude, making lenghty remedial training unneccessary. Upon course completion, a flight test and a briefing test must be passed. These tests are taken at EFT's USA facility, and are scheduled in advance, although you can make your own testing arrangements.

Prior to commencing the course, the Joint Aviation Authorities require that a pre-entry flight test is passed within six month prior to course commencement. EFT's in-house examiners can carry out this test.