Certified Flight Instructor

07 · CFI · ASEL

The FAA Certified Flight Instructor certificate. Turn the right seat into a classroom — teach others to fly while building the hours that carry you to the airlines.

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250 hrCommercial minimum
6–8 wkTypical timeline
2Knowledge tests
1DPE practical
07What it is

Rightseat.Realteaching.

The Certified Flight Instructor certificate authorizes you to give flight and ground instruction in single-engine airplanes — the credential that turns your commercial certificate into a paying job and a fast path to the hours that follow.

PrivilegesWhat you can do

  • Endorse students for solo, cross-country, and checkrides
  • Build hours toward ATP minimums while earning income
  • Give flight instruction in single-engine airplanes
  • Log instruction given as pilot in command time
  • Give ground instruction for FAA written tests

LimitationsAnd what you can't

  • CFI certificate must be renewed every 24 calendar months — completing an FIRC, meeting the activity requirement, or passing a practical test
  • Cannot teach in multi-engine airplanes without an MEI rating
  • Medical certificate must remain valid when acting as PIC
  • Cannot teach instrument students without a CFII rating
Prerequisites
  • FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate
  • FAA Instrument Rating
  • 250 total flight hours (commercial minimum)
  • Spin training endorsement from a CFI
  • Pass FOI and Flight Instructor Airplane knowledge tests
Why Desert Wings

The case for training here.

Proven student success

Our students consistently pass their checkrides and achieve their aviation goals with confidence.

Gold Seal instruction

Learn from FAA-certified Gold Seal instructors with proven teaching methods and personalized attention.

Year-round flying

Train in Mesa, Arizona with ideal flying conditions and over 300 days of sunshine per year.

Flexible scheduling

Train at your own pace with scheduling options that fit your lifestyle and learning goals.

FAQ

Questions we hear a lot.

What do I need before starting CFI training?

You must already hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate and an Instrument Rating, with at least 250 total flight hours. You will also need a spin training endorsement from a CFI before your checkride.

How long does CFI training take?

Most candidates complete CFI training in 6–8 weeks. The pace depends on how comfortable you are teaching from the right seat and how quickly you build out your lesson plans.

What tests do I have to pass?

Two FAA knowledge tests — Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) and Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA) — plus an oral and flight practical with a DPE. The oral is long; expect to teach a full lesson on the ground before you fly.

Can I build hours toward the airlines while instructing?

Yes — that is the point. Every hour of flight instruction you give counts as pilot in command time, so most career-track pilots earn the bulk of their ATP-qualifying hours as a CFI.

Get started

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