Description

Flight Instructor Practical Test

From FAR 61.195:
(h) Qualifications of the flight instructor for training first-time flight instructor applicants.
(1) The ground training provided to an initial applicant for a flight instructor certificate must be given by an authorized instructor who;
(i) 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
(ii) 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.


Plan on about a 7 hour oral exam and about 1.9 hours for the flight portion.

Flight instructor applicants need to know how to use the autopilot. Here is some new wording from the NEW Flight Instructor ACS effective May 31 2024 - To assist in management of the aircraft during the practical test, the applicant is expected to demonstrate automation
management skills by utilizing installed, available, or airborne equipment such as autopilot, avionics and systems displays,
and/or a flight management system (FMS). The evaluator is expected to test the applicant’s knowledge of the systems that
are available or installed and operative during both the ground and flight portions of the practical test. If the applicant has
trained using a portable electronic flight bag (EFB) to display charts and data and wishes to use the EFB during the practical
test, the applicant is expected to demonstrate appropriate knowledge, risk management, and skill appropriate to its use.

After printing the temporary certificate, Notice of Disapproval, or the Letter of Discontinuance, I will print a copy of this form and have the applicant sign it

The FAA no longer requires applicants for a flight instructor certificate with an airplane single-engine rating to provide a complex airplane for the practical test. Click here for more info

Flight Instructor Plan Of Action Template

Pretest Briefing

Here is the Wings activity that you can request Wings credit for your checkride

Renew your CFI by giving WINGS training. Here’s how:
(1) Hold a flight instructor certificate that has not expired.
(2) Hold a current phase of WINGS (at any level) at the time of application.
(3) Have evaluated at least 15 WINGS-accredited flight activities (any level) during which the CFI evaluates at least five different pilots, and make appropriate endorsements in the logbook of each pilot for each activity.
(4) Apply to the FAA – see AC 61-91J.


Tags: PracticalTest