Flying Instructor

Flying instruction is often seen, incorrectly, as the unglamorous side of civil aviation – no shiny jets, no layovers at some exotic spot and generally much lower wages. Flying instructors are however, currently in high demand, not least because of the need to meet the demand for commercial pilots.

 

There are many reasons for choosing to become a flight instructor. For many it is seen as a way to build hours and a stepping stone on the route to becoming an airline or corporate pilot. However there is always a demand for experienced flight instructors, particularly at the current time, and for some it is a dream job and basis of a successful career. For others it is an activity they can enjoy alongside a main career or even in retirement.

 

A good flight instructor is a valuable commodity in the aviation world since it is they who will train and shape the next generation of pilots.

Prerequisites

Hold a PPL, CPL or ATPL and

  • Hold a Cert IV in training and assessment or complete and approved course in the principles and methods of instruction
  • Meet the aeronautical experience requirements
  • Complete a course of training
  • Pass the pilot instructor rating common examination
  • Pass a flight test

 

Aeronautical Experience

​ExperienceFlight Time as a PilotRequirement≥ 200 hours  (250 hours helicopters)Flight Time as Pilot in Command≥ 100 hours

 

These aeronautical experience requirements must be met before you start your fight training for a fight instructor rating. However, you do not have to meet these requirements if you can satisfy the following criteria.

 

For aeroplanes, you can commence the instructor rating course before being issued with your licence if you have:

  • completed your CPL with an aeroplane category rating in an integrated training course and
  • passed the fight test for the grant of the licence with an aeroplane category rating.

 

For helicopters, that means you must:

  • hold a CPL with a helicopter rating completed through an integrated training course and
  • hold a low-level rating and a helicopter low-level endorsement and
  • hold one of these combinations:
  • a night visual fight rules (NVFR) rating and a helicopter NVFR endorsement
  • an instrument rating and a single-engine helicopter instrument endorsement
  • an instrument rating and a multi-engine helicopter instrument endorsement.

 

Privileges

Flight instructors are authorised to:

  • To conduct flight training for pilot licences, ratings and endorsements on pilot licences (with exceptions)
  • Grant design feature and flight activity endorsements
  • Conduct multi-crew cooperation training
  • Conduct differences for variants of type ratings
  • Conduct flight reviews
  • Approve a person to fly solo

Costs

The cost to gain the initial Grade 3 Training Endorsement will vary depending on where the training is done and what aircraft the training is done in, but expect to pay upwards of $20,000 for the course. In addition there will be a fee for the hire of an aircraft for the test plus the examiner’s fee.

 

Training Endorsements

After gaining your initial Grade 3 Training Endorsement you can upgrade your skills by gaining further training endorsements, for example, a Low Level Training Endorsement or Aerobatic Training Endorsement. As you gain more experience in instructing you can upgrade your initial Grade 3 Training Endorsement to a Grade 2 or Grade 1 Training Endorsement which bestow more privileges on your instructor rating.

 

Validity

Your instructor rating is valid for one year after its initial issue and thereafter for a period of two years and can be renewed by completing a Proficiency Check with an authorised examiner.

© The Honourable Company of Air Pilots, Australia Incorporated