AviationDepth
Certificates

Becoming a Flight Instructor (CFI)

January 19, 2026

A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate authorizes you to provide flight instruction for compensation. It's the primary way new pilots build the hours needed for airline or corporate jobs — and it's a career in itself for many aviation professionals.

Types of CFI Certificates

  • CFI — basic flight instructor for single-engine aircraft
  • CFII — instrument flight instructor; lets you teach instrument flying
  • MEI — multi-engine instructor; lets you teach multi-engine flying
  • AGI / FGI — advanced or fundamental ground instructor; classroom only, no flight instruction

Requirements

  • Hold at least a commercial pilot certificate with instrument rating
  • Pass the fundamentals of instruction (FOI) and CFI knowledge tests
  • Complete the CFI practical test (checkride) with an FAA examiner

Finding a CFI

Use AviationDepth to search flight instructors by name and state. Part 141 flight schools employ full-time instructors and often hire recent commercial graduates.