What is the Flight Instructor – FI and Instrument Rating Instructor – IRI qualification?
The FI(A) rating allows you to conduct ground and flight instruction for the issue of PPL(A) and class and type ratings for SEP airplanes. The Instrument Rating Instructor rating allows you to conduct flight instruction for the IR(A) and class and type ratings for SEP airplanes.
What are the Flight Instructor – FI(A) course entry requirements?
The Flight Instructor – FI(A) course entry requirements are as follows:
- to be at least 18 years old
- to be a Class 1 Medical holder
You need to be physically fit for commercial flying (capable of holding EASA Pilot Medical Certificate Class 1). - to be a CPL(A) holder
You need to be a CPL(A) holder (with at least 5 hours on single engine piston powered airplane completed within 6 months preceding the pre-entry evaluation flight) or
Completed 200 hours total flight time and 150 hours as pilot-in-command,
Completed 30 hours on single engine piston powered airplanes (5 hours within the preceding 6 months before pre-entry flight test),
Received 10 hours instrument flight instruction (of which up to 5 may be in a simulator),
Completed 20 hours cross-country flight time as pilot-in-command including a 540 km (300 NM) cross – country flight, - to pass pre-entry flight test
You need to pass pre-entry evaluation flight with a duration at least 0.8 hours.
What are the Instrument Rating Instructor – IRI(A) course entry requirements?
The Instrument Rating Instructor – IRI(A) course entry requirements are as follows:
- to be at least 18 years old
- to be a Class 1 Medical holder
You need to be physically fit for commercial flying (capable of holding EASA Pilot Medical Certificate Class 1). - to have at least 200 hours of flight time under IFR
You need to have at least 200 hours of flight time logged under IFR, out of which up to 50 hours may be instrument ground time in an FFS, an FTD 2/3 or FNPT II.
What can I do with my Flight Instructor – FI(A) rating?
- The Flight Instructor – FI(A) rating allows you to conduct flight instruction for the issue of PPL(A) and class and type ratings for SEP airplanes.
Until you have completed at least 100 hours of flight instruction and, in addition, has supervised at least 25 student solo flights, the privileges of the rating are restricted. The restrictions will be removed from the rating when the above requirements have been met and on the recommendation of the supervising FI(A).
What can I do with my Instrument Rating Instructor – IRI(A) rating?
- The Instrument Rating Instructor – IRI(A) rating allows you to conduct flight instruction for the Instrument Rating – IR(A) and class and type ratings for SEP airplanes.
How can I get my Flight Instructor – FI(A) rating?
Step 1: Complete the theoretical training
The theoretical training is an integral part of FI(A) rating course. It can be done concurrently with the flight training or used as a separate ground training course. The theoretical training is divided into 3 stages and includes 125 hours.
Stage I:
You will be made familiar with the new privileges and responsibilities of a flight instructor. In stage 1 of the ground training you will learn teaching and evaluation methods, lesson planning options and refresh your knowledge of risk management, human performance and limitations.
Stage II:
You will become familiar with the instruction of a student up to the first solo flight. Furthermore you will review preflight and postflight actions, traffic pattern flying and basic maneuvers.
Stage III:
During this stage you will learn how to introduce your future students to thorough cross-country flight planning and the different methods of navigation. You will obtain a deeper understanding of the physiological factors that can affect the pilot and passengers. Upon completion of this this stage you will be able to make a sound decision on sending future students on solo cross-country flights.
Step 2: Complete the practical training
The practical training consists of at least 30 hours of flight instruction and is divided into 2 stages.
Stage I:
During this stage, you will obtain the foundation for all future instructor training. You will becomes familiar with the training airplane and learns how the airplane controls are used to establish and maintain specific flight attitudes and ground tracks from the instructor side of the airplane. You will also gain the proficiency to train a student to fly solo in the training airplane in the traffic pattern.
Stage II:
During this stage, you will obtain the foundation for all future instructor training related to advanced training with main focus on cross-country operations. You will gain the proficiency to train a student to fly solo in the training airplane on cross-country flights. Furthermore the student will do some flight training at night time to review night flying procedures.
Step 3: pass the practical flight examination
During your practical skill test you will be assessed on your ability to operate the aircraft from the right-hand seat and demonstrate your ability to conduct all maneuvers accurately and within limits.
How can I get my Instrument Rating Instructor – IRI(A) rating?
Step 1: complete the theoretical training
The IRI(A) training course includes 25 hours of teaching and learning instruction and 10 hours of technical training, including revision of instrument theoretical knowledge, the preparation of lesson plans and the development of classroom instructional skills.
If you hold or have held an instructor certificate, you shall be fully credited towards the 25 hours of teaching and learning instruction.
Step 2: complete the practical training
The Instrument Rating Instructor training comprises of at least 10 hours of flight instruction on an airplane. In case you are an FI(A) holder, the number of hours is reduced to 5.
During the training, you will become familiar with the training airplane, review the maneuvers and exercises required to execute as an instrument rating instructor and you will learn how to teach these maneuvers to an instrument rating student. You will gain the proficiency to train a student to the level of proficiency required to obtain an instrument rating.
Step 3: pass the practical flight examination
During your practical skill test you will be assessed on your ability to operate the aircraft from the right-hand seat and demonstrate your ability to conduct all maneuvers accurately and within limits and respect all regulations and limitation specific of IFR flights
How much do the Flight Instructor FI and Instrument Rating Instructor courses cost?
The FI course price starts from 6348 EUR, the IRI course price starts from 2486 EUR. Training fees are covering the following items and services:
- Instructor time for ground school and practical training
- Aircraft rental with fuel
*All training fees are bound to the actual exchange rates of the local currency of the Flying Academy base where the training or a part of the training is provided. Learn more about complete training fees.
How long does it take to complete the Flight Instructor- FI(A) training?
The duration of FI(A) training depends on the trainee’s time availability for both theoretical and practical training and the minimum duration is 6 weeks.
How long does it take to complete the Instrument Rating Instructor- IRI(A) training?
The duration of IRI(A) training depends on the trainee’s time availability for both theoretical and practical training and the minimum duration is 3 weeks.
