Certified Flight Instructor

Certified Flight Instructor Training at SkyWalker Flying in Adrian, Michigan

Help People Realize Their Dream of Flight

As a Certified Flight Instructor, or CFI, you will be responsible for helping people realize their dream of flight, either for a hobby or for a career. We have a wide variety of students from 14-74, with any number of life goals. You will never be bored as a CFI! This is one of the most rewarding forms of flying you can do. It is also a skill building exercise that helps prepare you for a career in the larger aircraft.

Certified Flight Instructor Training at SkyWalker Flying in Adrian, Michigan

Help People Realize Their Dream of Flight

As a Certified Flight Instructor, or CFI, you will be responsible for helping people realize their dream of flight, either for a hobby or for a career. We have a wide variety of students from 14-74, with any number of life goals. You will never be bored as a CFI! This is one of the most rewarding forms of flying you can do. It is also a skill building exercise that helps prepare you for a career in the larger aircraft.

Certified Flight Instructor Requirements

Many Commercial Pilots become a Certificated Flight Instructor or CFI while building hours and skills in preparation for their ATP.

Privileges

A person who holds a flight instructor certificate is authorized to give training and endorsements required for and relating to:

  • a student, private, commercial pilot certificate.
  • the three hours of training with reference only to instruments in preparation for a private pilot certificate, note that this does not need to be a CFII.
  • flight review or recency of experience requirement.
  • preparation for a practical test (typically three hours within the preceding 60 days in preparation for a certificate or rating); or
  • endorsement for a knowledge test (written examination)

What are the prerequisites?

  • Have logged at least 250 hours (or 190 hours Part 141) total time.
  • Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or ATP (ASEL or AMEL) with an Instrument Rating.
  • Hold a valid Medical Certificate.

Certified Flight Instructor Requirements

Many Commercial Pilots become a Certificated Flight Instructor or CFI while building hours and skills in preparation for their ATP.

Privileges

A person who holds a flight instructor certificate is authorized to give training and endorsements required for and relating to:

  • a student, private, commercial pilot certificate.
  • the three hours of training with reference only to instruments in preparation for a private pilot certificate, note that this does not need to be a CFII.
  • flight review or recency of experience requirement.
  • preparation for a practical test (typically three hours within the preceding 60 days in preparation for a certificate or rating); or
  • endorsement for a knowledge test (written examination)

What are the prerequisites?

  • Have logged at least 250 hours (or 190 hours Part 141) total time.
  • Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or ATP (ASEL or AMEL) with an Instrument Rating.
  • Hold a valid Medical Certificate.

Training for Your CFI

Here at SkyWalker we believe the best way to learn to teach is to work with an experienced instructor. You will be involved in ground training at first, assisting in the instruction of Private and Commercial Pilots. You will then create lesson plans in the areas below.

Fundamentals of Instruction

  • The Learning Process
  • Human Behavior and Effective Communication
  • The Teaching Process
  • Teaching Methods
  • Critique and Evaluation
  • Flight Instructor Characteristics and Responsibilities
  • Planning Instructional Activity

Technical Subject Areas

  • Aeromedical Factors
  • Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance
  • Principles of Flight
  • Airplane Flight Controls
  • Airplane Weight and Balance
  • Navigation and Flight Planning
  • Night Operations
  • High Altitude Operations
  • Federal Aviation Regulations and Publications
  • National Airspace System
  • Navigation Systems and Radar Services
  • Logbook Entries and Certificate Endorsements

Preflight Preparation

  • Certificates and Documents
  • Weather Information
  • Operation of Systems
  • Performance and Limitations
  • Airworthiness Requirements 3-46

From there we move to you flying from the right seat and teaching these principles in the air.

  • Preflight Procedures
  • Airport Operations
  • Takeoff, Landings, and Go-Arounds
  • Fundamentals of Flight
  • Performance Maneuvers
  • Ground Reference Maneuvers
  • Slow Flight, Stalls, and Spins
  • Basic Instrument Maneuvers
  • Emergency Operations

Once you achieve this certificate you can help budding pilots achieve their dream, as you have.

Flying Plane

"After reading reviews about Jo and the school, I made a decision to drive to Michigan from Atlanta in the month of September. I hadn't flown for 10 years and I was very rusty. I got my advance ground instructor, commercial single add on, and CFI in less than two months. I didn't go to fast track CFI schools because I just couldn't fly at all. Jo acts like your mom and she takes you under her wing. She teaches you and catches your mistakes and makes you an awesome pilot. I would never think I could handle stronger crosswinds as a CFI and still be confident. She makes you teach ground to student pilots and she sits there and mentors you. Sometimes you are in control of the class and you learn what it takes to teach someone on ground (which is the hardest part of being CFI). I have witnessed many great schools around the USA; this is hands down the best school, best family, team, and support group. I got both my check ride and flight review at minimum cost. If you are thinking about going to SkyWalker Flying, Jo and her team have your back. They are the best."

- Priya Thomas

Flying Plane

"After reading reviews about Jo and the school, I made a decision to drive to Michigan from Atlanta in the month of September. I hadn't flown for 10 years and I was very rusty. I got my advance ground instructor, commercial single add on, and CFI in less than two months. I didn't go to fast track CFI schools because I just couldn't fly at all. Jo acts like your mom and she takes you under her wing. She teaches you and catches your mistakes and makes you an awesome pilot. I would never think I could handle stronger crosswinds as a CFI and still be confident. She makes you teach ground to student pilots and she sits there and mentors you. Sometimes you are in control of the class and you learn what it takes to teach someone on ground (which is the hardest part of being CFI). I have witnessed many great schools around the USA; this is hands down the best school, best family, team, and support group. I got both my check ride and flight review at minimum cost. If you are thinking about going to SkyWalker Flying, Jo and her team have your back. They are the best."

- Priya Thomas