Professional Training
Thinking about taking the next step in your career as a pilot? Maybe even interested in learning even more about aviation? Adding professional licensure is a great way to stand out and make yourself competitive in the hiring market.
Why do I need these certifications?
Welcome to your new aviation career! As a new commercial pilot, the world is your oyster, and there are an infinite number of directions you can take to continue your career as a professional aviator. Whether or not you actually want to teach, adding flight instructor certificates, from the initial CFI rating to add-ons such as Instrument and Multi-Engine Instructor, are great resume builders that demonstrate your command for aviation knowledge. Even adding Airline Transport Pilot privileges ahead of the game is a great way to stand out to potential employers down the road.
Not interested in a career? Continuing your flight training is still a great way to continue learning as a pilot. This a great way to ensure long-term command of your subject matter to continue flying as a safe, proficient pilot.
What Is Required For a Flight Instructor Certificate?
Required Flight Time
Flight Instructor applicants must hold commercial certificates (+ IFR in airplanes) or higher in the categories and classes they want to teach in to apply for a flight instructor certificate.
A majority of the time I spend with instructor applicants is spent on the ground. While flight training is required, my only job there is to make sure you know how to teach maneuvers that, with limited exception, you already know how to fly.
Required Flight Training Items
-
Fundamentals of Instructing
-
All technical subject areas in the Airman Certification Standards
-
Preflight Preparation & Pre/Post-Flight Procedures
-
Airport operations
-
Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds
-
Fundamentals of flight
-
Performance and ground reference maneuvers
-
Slow flight, stalls, & spins
-
Basic instrument maneuvers
-
Emergency operations
-
Multiengine Operations (MEI only)
Required Aeronautical Experience
There is no specific aeronautical experience for flight instructors. The only requirement is that you must be able to proficiently and consistently TEACH while flying to the highest applicable standard (PPL on some maneuvers, commercial for most).
What Is Required For an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate?
Required Flight Time
Airline Transport Pilots need to be instrument-rated commercial pilots in whatever category and class they want to achieve Airline Transport certification in. Once you meet the Airline Transport Pilot requirements, you only need 50 hours in each additional class of airplane to test for Airline Transport privileges.
Required Flight Training Items
-
Preflight Preparation & Pre/Post-Flight Procedures
-
Airport Operations
-
Takeoffs, Landings, & Go-Arounds
-
Performance & Ground Reference Maneuvers
-
Navigation
-
Slow Flight & Stalls
-
Emergency Procedures
-
High-Altitude Operations
Required Aeronautical Experience
-
1500 Hours Total Time
-
250 Hours of PIC Time
-
500 Hours Cross-Country
-
100 Hours Night
-
75 of Instrument Time
Get Into The Weeds
Listed above are the basic flight training requirements to pursue Flight Instructor and Airline Transport Pilot certificates. However, there is more to the story, particularly with regards to Airline Transport Pilot restrictions. Visit my Professional Training Resources page for a discussion on the nuances of flight training I have learned from teaching IFR and Commercial Pilot applicants.