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.