Flight Instructor Certificate

How To Become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)



What Are Eligibility Requirements to Become a CFI?

Completing school and getting all of your ratings is just the start of becoming an Airline Pilot.


As you complete your training you will have a great deal of piloting knowledge and very little experience…. Approximately 250 hours. The FAA and the airlines require 1000 – 1500 hours to acquire your ATP Rating (Airline Transport Pilot) and hiring on new pilots. Which brings us to the big question: how do I get to the airlines? The good news is there are many different paths you can follow, and start earning a salary while working toward your goal.

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Here Are a Few Options:


  • Flight Instruction

    Getting your CFI Rating (Certified Flight Instructor) can be accomplished relatively quickly after your commercial program and will allow you to earn a decent wage while building hours. JA Flight Training offers ALL of its graduates the opportunity of working as a Flight Instructor after graduation.

  • Air Taxi

    A number of Air Taxi (FAA part 135) companies hire co-pilots to build time, typically utilizing a hiring contract and minimal salary to build individuals toward a captain’s position within the company. At JA Flight, we are in the unique position of having ownership in one of the largest Air Taxi operations in the country, flying in excess of 200 flights a day in Cessna Caravan Aircraft. Our relationship with Southern Airways Express gives our graduates the opportunity to apply as a co-pilot and work within an airline operation with a follow-on path to Skywest Airlines.

  • Other Local Piloting Jobs

    These jobs include towing gliders, towing banners, skydiving operations, aerial mapping, spraying crops, police enforcement, traffic reporting, and other pilot services.

JA Flight Training

3 Weeks Accelerated CFIA/CFII Academy

CFIA/CFII 3 Week Academy: $7905.00 (*plus mandatory purchase of CFI-A and CFI-I CTA)


CFI-A Academy: $5075.00 …….. (*Plus CFI-A CTA purchase $365)

CFI-I Academy: $2830.00 ………(*Plus CFI-I CTA purchase $365)


4% processing fee for using credit cards.

$1000 non-refundable deposit due at registration plus CTA material purchase. Remaining balance due on start date of Academy.

Financing through Meritize available (call to inquire 630-549-2152)

Prerequisites

  • Current FAA Commercial Pilot with Instrument Rating
  • Valid FAA 3rd Class Medical
  • CFI-A, CFI-I, FOI Written Exam Completed
  • CFI-A and CFI-I Online Training Course Completed (access give upon registration)

Basic Course Outline

CFI-A: First 2 weeks (Monday-Saturday: 10 Days of Classroom. Saturdays & Sundays reserved for make-up flights, self-study and lesson prep) Students have access to classroom/conference room for studying and prep all 14 days.

  • 40 Hours of Ground Instruction (4 hours of classroom instruction daily)
  • 10 Hours Dual Flight Instruction in Cessna 172 S, N or M model. (Aircraft model will be chosen at JA’s discretion).
  • Spin Endorsement Included if Needed.   
  • 5 Hours Pre & Post Flight Instruction Briefings

CFI-I: Week 3 (Monday–Saturday: 5 days of Classroom. Saturday reserved for make-up flights)

  • 20 Hours of Ground Instruction (4 hours of classroom instruction daily)
  • 5 Hours Dual Flight Instruction in Cessna 172 S, N or M model. (Aircraft model will be chosen at JA’s discretion).
  • 3.5 Hours Pre & Post Flight Instruction Briefings
  • 2 Hours Dual Instruction in the RedBird Simulator

How Long Does it Take?

2023 Academy CFIA Dates CFII Dates
October Oct 2-13 Oct 16-20
November Nov 6-17 Nov 27 - Dec 1
December Dec 4-15 Dec 18-22
2024 Academy
January Jan 8 -19 Jan 22-26
February Feb 5-16 Feb 19-23
March Mar 4-15 July 24-28
April Apr 1-12 Apr15-19
May May 6-17 May 20-25
June June 3-14 June 17-21
July July 8-19 Nov 27 - Dec 1
August Aug 5-16 Aug 19-23
September Sept 9-20 Sept 23-27
October Oct 7-18 Oct 21-25
November Nov 4-15 Nov 25-29
December Dec 2-13 Dec 16-20

How Much Do I Get Paid as a CFI?

Upon completion of a CFI rating, you can flight instruct to build time. Flight Instructors get paid between $25-$35 per hour depending on the level of CFI.


Time building as a CFI is a great way to hone your skills, pass your knowledge onto aspiring pilots and earn some money along the way. By getting the CFII (Instrument Instructor) and MEI (Multi-engine Instructor) you can boost your hourly pay to the higher end of the scale.

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Request more info or give us a call.

630.549.2152
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