The information provided on this page is taken from the current regulations at the time of writing. The applicable regulations will be linked, and may have changed since the time of writing.
Recordkeeping
FAR 61.189: Flight Instructor Records
A flight instructor must sign the logbook of each person to whom that instructor has given instruction. The logbook entry should include:
- Flight instructor certificate number
- Expiration date
- CFI signature
A flight instructor must maintain a record in a logbook or a separate document that contains the following:
- The name of each person whose logbook that instructor has endorsed for solo flight privileges, and the date of the endorsement; and
- The name of each person that instructor has endorsed for a knowledge test or practical test, and the record shall also indicate the kind of test, the date, and the results.
Each flight instructor must retain the records required by this section for at least 3 years
Privileges
FAR 61.193: Flight Instructor Privileges
A person who holds a flight instructor certificate is authorized within the limitations of that person's flight instructor certificate and ratings to train and issue endorsements that are required for:
- A student pilot certificate
- A pilot certificate
- A flight instructor certificate
- A ground instructor certificate
- An aircraft rating
- An instrument rating
- A flight review, operating privilege, or recency of experience requirement of this part
- A practical test
- A knowledge test
A person who holds a flight instructor certificate is authorized, in a form and manner acceptable to the Administrator, to:
- Accept an application for a student pilot certificate or, for an applicant who holds a pilot certificate (other than a student pilot certificate) issued under part 61 of this chapter and meets the flight review requirements specified in § 61.56, a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating
- Verify the identity of the applicant
- Verify that an applicant for a student pilot certificate meets the eligibility requirements in § 61.83 or an applicant for a remote pilot certificate with a small UAS rating meets the eligibility requirements in § 107.61 of this chapter
Limitations
FAR 61.195: Flight Instructor Limitations and Qualifications
No more than 8 hours of flight training in any 24-hour-consecutive period
A flight instructor may not conduct flight training in any aircraft for which the flight instructor does not hold:
- Flight Instructor Certificate with the applicable category and class rating
- Pilot certificate with the applicable category and class rating
- Type rating in the aircraft being flown, if applicable
A flight instructor may conduct instrument training for the issuance of an instrument rating, a type rating not limited to VFR, or the instrument training required for commercial pilot and airline transport pilot certificates if the following requirements are met:
- The flight instructor must hold an instrument rating appropriate to the aircraft used for the instrument training on his or her flight instructor certificate
A flight instructor may not give training required for the issuance of a certificate or rating in a multiengine airplane, a helicopter, or a powered-lift unless that flight instructor has at least 5 flight hours of pilot-in-command time in the specific make and model of multiengine airplane, helicopter, or powered-lift, as appropriate
A flight instructor must perform all training from in an aircraft that complies with the requirements of § 91.109
A flight instructor who provides flight training for a pilot certificate or rating issued under this part must provide that flight training in an aircraft that meets the following requirements:
- The aircraft must have at least two pilot stations and be of the same category, class, and type, if appropriate, that applies to the pilot certificate or rating sought.
- For single-place aircraft, the pre-solo flight training must have been provided in an aircraft that has two pilot stations and is of the same category, class, and type, if appropriate.
Endorsement Limitations
FAR 61.195: Flight Instructor Limitations and Qualifications
No self-endorsements
A flight instructor may not endorse a student pilot's logbook for solo flight privileges, unless that flight instructor has:
- Given that student the flight training required for solo flight privileges
- Determine that the student is prepared to conduct the flight safely under known circumstances, subject to any limitations listed in the student's logbook that the instructor considers necessary for the safety of flight
A flight instructor may not endorse a student pilot's logbook for a solo cross-country flight, unless that flight instructor has determined the student's flight preparation, planning, equipment, and proposed procedures are adequate for the proposed flight under the existing conditions and within any limitations listed in the logbook that the instructor considers necessary for the safety of the flight
A flight instructor many not endorse a student pilot's logbook for solo flight in a Class B airspace area or at an airport within Class B airspace unless that flight instructor has:
- Given that student ground and flight training in that Class B airspace or at that airport
- Determined that the student is proficient to operate the aircraft safely
A flight instructor may not endorse a logbook of a recreational pilot, unless that flight instructor has:
- Given that pilot the ground and flight training required by this part
- Determined that the recreational pilot is proficient to operate the aircraft safely
A flight instructor may not endorse a logbook of a pilot for a flight review, unless that instructor has conducted a review of that pilot in accordance with the requirements of § 61.56(a) of this part
A flight instructor may not endorse a logbook of a pilot for an instrument proficiency check, unless that instructor has tested that pilot in accordance with the requirements of § 61.57(d)
Qualifications to Train First-Time Flight Instructor Applicants
FAR 61.195: Flight Instructor Limitations and Qualifications
The ground training provided to an initial applicant for a flight instructor certificate must be given by an authorized instructor who:
- Holds a ground or flight instructor certificate with the appropriate rating, has held that certificate for at least 24 calendar months, and has given at least 40 hours of ground training; or
- Holds a ground or flight instructor certificate with the appropriate rating, and has given at least 100 hours of ground training in an FAA-approved course
A flight instructor who provides training to an initial applicant for a flight instructor certificate must:
- Hold the appropriate flight instructor certificate and rating
- Have held a flight instructor certificate for at least 24 months
- For training in preparation for an airplane, rotorcraft, or powered-lift rating, have given at least 200 hours of flight training as a flight instructor
- For training in preparation for a glider rating, have given at least 80 hours of flight training as a flight instructor
Instructor Renewals
FAR 61.197: Renewal Requirements for Flight Instructor Certification
A person who holds a flight instructor certificate that has not expired may renew that instructor certificate by passing a practical test for:
- One of the ratings listed on the current flight instructor certificate or
- An additional flight instructor rating
A person who holds a flight instructor certificate that has not expired may renew that instructor certificate by submitting a completed and signed application with the FAA and satisfactorily completing one of the following renewal requirements:
- A record of training students showing that, during the preceding 24 calendar months, the flight instructor has endorsed at least 5 students for a practical test for a certificate or rating and at least 80 percent of those students passed that test on the first attempt
- A record showing that, within the preceding 24 calendar months, the flight instructor has served as a company check pilot, chief flight instructor, company check airman, or flight instructor in a part 121 or part 135 operation, or in a position involving the regular evaluation of pilots
- A graduation certificate showing that, within the preceding 3 calendar months, the person has successfully completed an approved flight instructor refresher course consisting of ground training or flight training, or a combination of both
- A record showing that, within the preceding 24 months from the month of application, the flight instructor passed an official U.S. Armed Forces military instructor pilot or pilot examiner proficiency check in an aircraft for which the military instructor already holds a rating or in an aircraft for an additional rating
Instructor Reinstatement
FAR 61.199: Reinstatement Requirements of an Expired Flight Instructor Certificate