Certified Flight Instructor (CFI)

Area of Operation I: Fundamentals of Instructing

10–12 hours

• Task A: Effects of Human Behavior & Communication on the Learning Process 1.5 hrs
• Task B: The Teaching Process 1.5 hrs
• Task C: Course Development, Lesson Plans, and Classroom Training Techniques 2 hrs
• Task D: Student Evaluation and Assessment 1.5 hrs
• Task E: Analysis of Instruction 1.5 hrs
• Task F: Elements of Effective Teaching (Risk Management & Accident Prevention) 2 hrs

Area of Operation II: Technical Subject Areas

15–18 hours (Evaluator selects Tasks C, K + one other)

• Task A: Human Factors (Aeromedical, physiological, hazardous attitudes) 1 hr
• Task B: Visual Scanning and Collision Avoidance 1 hr
• Task C: Runway Incursion Avoidance 1 hr
• Task D: Principles of Flight 1.5 hrs
• Task E: Aircraft Flight Controls and Operation of Systems 1.5 hrs
• Task F: Performance and Limitations 1 hr
• Task G: Weather 1 hr
• Task H: Navigation Systems and Radar Services 1 hr
• Task I: Navigation and Cross-Country Flight Planning 1 hr
• Task J: Night Operations 1 hr
• Task K: High Altitude Operations (Oxygen, pressurization) 1 hr
• Task L: 14 CFR and Publications 1 hr
• Task M: National Airspace System 1 hr
• Task N: Logbook Entries and Certificate Endorsements 1 hr

Phase 1: Right-Seat Basics

Preflight, basic maneuvers, patterns

4–6 flights (8–10 hrs)

• Preflight procedures 1.5 hrs
• Taxi operations 1.0 hrs
• Normal & crosswind takeoffs/landings 2.0 hrs
• Straight & level flight 1.0 hrs
• Turns, climbs & descents 1.5 hrs
• Traffic patterns & go-arounds 2.0 hrs

Phase 2: Slow Flight, Stalls, & Emergencies

Low-speed handling & recovery

4–5 flights (6–8 hrs)

• Slow flight techniques 1.5 hrs
• Power-on stalls 1.0 hrs
• Power-off stalls 1.0 hrs
• Accelerated stalls 0.5 hrs
• Cross-controlled stalls 0.5 hrs
• Elevator-trim & secondary stalls 0.5 hrs
• Emergency descent/approach/landing 1.5 hrs
• Systems malfunctions 1.0 hrs
• Spin awareness (or actual spins + endorsement) 1.0 hrs

Phase 3: Performance & Ground Reference

Precision & commercial maneuvers

4–6 flights (6–8 hrs)

• Steep turns 1.0 hrs
• Chandelles 1.0 hrs
• Lazy eights 1.0 hrs
• Steep spirals 0.5 hrs
• Eights-on-pylons 1.0 hrs
• Ground reference: rectangular course 0.5 hrs
• Ground reference: S-turns 0.5 hrs
• Turns around a point 0.5 hrs

Phase 4: Advanced & Teaching Practice

Full lessons + scenarios

4–6 flights (4–6 hrs)

• Short-field takeoffs/landings 1.0 hrs
• Soft-field takeoffs/landings 1.0 hrs
• Slips to landing 0.5 hrs
• Night operations (if needed) 1.0 hrs
• Basic instrument maneuvers 0.5 hrs
• Cross-country teaching scenarios 1.0 hrs
• Full student simulation (you teach, CFI observes) 1.0 hrs

End-of-Course: Progress Check

Progress check + mock checkride

1–2 flights

• All ACS Areas of Operation review
• Oral examination by another instructor
• Flight proficiency check