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Q: Can a CFI provide instruction for compensation or hire, while serving as pilot in command (PIC) with only a 3rd class medical certificate?
A: Yes, flight instruction is not considered a 'commercial operation' therefore a 2nd class medical is not required. Although a 2nd class medical certificate is required to exercise privileges of a commercial pilot certificate (which in turn is required for the CFI certificate), it is not required to exercise the privileges of your CFI certificate.
Q: Can a CFI provide instruction for compensation or hire, without a medical certificate?
A: Yes, as long as the CFI is not serving as PIC during the flight, or as a required flight crewmember.
Q: Can a CFII with single-engine only privileges on his/her instructor certificate provide instrument instruction in a multiengine airplane?
A: Yes, if the instructor also has multi-engine privileges on his/her pilot certificate. The instructor privilege "Instrument-Airplane" is not category and class specific and may be used for any type of airplane, as long as the instructor has these privileges on his/her pilot certificate. Note that in this case, the instructor is limited to instrument instruction only in a mult-engine airplane.
Q: Can a CFII with single-engine only privileges on his/her instructor certificate give an Instrument Competency Check (ICC) in a multi-engine airplane?
A: Yes, if the instructor also has multi-engine privileges on his/her pilot certificate. The instructor privilege "Instrument Airplane" is not category and class specific and may be used for any type of airplane, as long as the instructor has these privileges on his/her pilot certificate.
Q: Can a CFI with single-engine only privileges on his/her instructor certificate give a flight review in a multi-engine airplane?
A: No, since a flight review requires 1 hour of flight instruction. To provide flight instruction, a flight instructor must have appropriate category, class and type (if appropriate) privilege on his/her flight instructor certificate.
Q: When providing instruction for a high-performance endorsement, does the aircraft have to have over 200 horsepower?
A: Yes, under the new regulations of August 4,1997, the high-performance endorsement is needed to operate an airplane with an engine of more than 200 horsepower.
Note: A complex airplane endorsement is needed to operate an airplane that has a retractable landing gear, flaps and a controllable pitch propeller, or, in case of a seaplane, flaps and a controllable pitch propeller.
The training and endorsement required by 61.31 (f)(1) is not required if the person has logged flight time as a pilot in command of a high- performance airplane, or in a flight simulator or flight training device that is representative of a high-performance airplane prior to August 4, 1997.
Q: When providing instruction for a high altitude endorsement, must the CFI be high altitude qualified (have a high altitude endorsement or be grandfathered under he provisions in FAR part 61.31)? If the instruction is in a multi-engine airplane, must the CFI be a multi-engine instructor?
A: If the required instruction will be in an airplane and the CFI will be PIC, the CFI must be high altitude qualified. If the training is conducted in an approved simulator, then the CFI need not be high altitude qualified. The high altitude endorsement is not airplane type specific and the CFI need not be a multi-engine instructor.
Q: When providing instruction for a tailwheel endorsement, must the CFI be tailwheel qualified (have a tailwheel endorsement or be grandfathered under the provisions in FAR part 61.31)?
A: Yes, if the instructor is acting as PIC during the flight training, he/she will need to be tailwheel qualified.
Q: Can a CFI who is not tailwheel qualified administer a flight review in a tailwheel airplane?
A: Yes, as long as the CFI is not serving as PIC.
Q: In order to recommend an applicant for an initial CFI certificate, the instructor must meet the experience requirements of FAR part 61.187(6)(b) (200 hours of instruction time & 24 months as a CFI). Is this required for to recommend an applicant for additional CFI ratings?
A: No, only for an initial CFI certificate.
Q: Can someone apply for a CFII certificate before getting their CFI?
A: Yes, if you only wish to do instrument instruction and ICCs. Note: the holder of a flight instructor certificate with only Instrument-Airplane will not be permitted to do flight reviews or provide primary instruction towards a certificate!
Q: I have a flight instructor certificate with only "Airplane Multi-engine" privileges. Does this mean I can also instruct in a single engine aircraft?
A: Nice try, but no. To provide instruction, you must have category and class privileges on your instructor certificate.
Q: My Flight instructor certificate only specifies Airplane-Single Engine, does this mean I can instruct in a single engine seaplane?
A: Yes, if you have at least commercial privileges, Single Engine Sea on your pilot certificate.
Q: I am going to renew my instructor certificate through a Flight instructor Refresher Course (FIRC). Do I have do this within 90 days before my certificate expires?
A: Yes, FAR 61.197(a)(2)(iii) specifies the FIRC must be completed within 90 days preceding the month of expiration of an FI certificate. The AOPA ASF has petioned the FAA to grant an exemption allowing flight instructors to again renew their certificates at any time through FIRCs.
Q: When I attend a FIRC, is my flight instructor certificate automatically renewed?
A: No! When you attend a FIRC, you will receive a certificate of completion, which is valid for 90 days. You must take this certificate of completion (while it is still valid and before your flight instructor certificate expires) and a completed form 8710 "Application for Airman Certificate or Rating" to a FSDO and they will issue you a temporary flight instructor certificate, valid for 120 days. The FSDO will then forward your certificate of completion and form 8710 to the Airman Certification Branch in Oklahoma City. After this paperwork is processed, you will receive a permanent flight instructor certificate. AOPA's Air Safety Foundation FIRC's provide a means to send your application and certificate of completion to the FSDO at the time you take the course!
Q: My flight instructor certificate has expired, how can I reinstate it?
A: To reinstate your flight instructor certificate, you will have to take a practical test. That's the bad news. The good new is that you won't have to retake the knowledge (written) exams or have a medical certificate (as long as the examiner or someone else agrees to be PIC during the flight check). You will not need a signoff from another CFI to take the practical test and a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) may administer the practical test. At the discretion of the examiner, you may have to re-accomplish the practical test in every category and class of aircraft on your expired certificate to
keep these privileges.
Q: I have a CFI certificate and want to get a Ground Instructor Certificate. How can I do this?
A: You will have to take the appropriate knowledge (written) test for the ground instructor rating sought. For example, if you want an instrument ground instructor certificate, you would take the instrument knowledge test. Present your test results and CFI certificate to a FSDO inspector and you will be issued a temporary ground instructor certificate. Your permanent certificate will arrive in the mail from the FAA Airman Certification Branch.
Q: How do I become a "Gold Seal" flight instructor?
A: The procedures are outlined in AC 61.65C. Basically, you must have recommended at least 10 people for practical tests within the previous 24 months. You must have at least an 80% pass rate on the practical tests. In addition, you will need to have a ground instructor certificate with an advanced or instrument rating. Present all supporting documentation to a FSDO inspector (we recommend calling ahead to make sure an inspector will be available). The inspector will issue you a temporary CFI certificate. Your permanent "Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate" will be mailed from the FAA
Airman Certification Branch. Note: if you don't have a ground instructor certificate, you may perform the steps listed above for a ground instructor certificate at the same time you are applying for your Gold Seal CFI Certificate.