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Flight Instructor Training in Hillsboro, OR
Becoming a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) is the most common—and rewarding—pathway to a professional aviation career. As a CFI, you are authorized to teach student pilots, log flight time while instructing, and build valuable experience toward airline and commercial goals. Most pilots earn their CFI (Certified Flight Instructor – Airplane) first, then add the CFII (Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument) to expand their teaching privileges to include instrument students and IFR training.
The CFI certificate refines your flying skills to a professional level and deepens your understanding of aerodynamics, regulations, and instructional techniques. Adding the CFII allows you to teach instrument students, conduct IPCs (Instrument Proficiency Checks), and operate more frequently in IMC training scenarios.
What You'll Need
The Training
You must be 18 years old or older to be eligible for an instructor rating.
Age Requirement
You must hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an aircraft category and class rating appropriate to the type of instruction you’ll provide.
Commercial Pilot Certificate
At least a Third Class Medical Certificate is required if you’re only instructing. Second Class will be needed if you plan on exercising your commercial privileges beyond instructing. More information regarding medical certificates can be found here.
FAA Medical Certificate
Receive training and endorsements from an instructor to prepare for both the FAA Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) test and the Certified Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA) written exam.
For CFII, you’ll also need to pass the Instrument Flight Instructor (FII) knowledge test.
Ground School
You must pass these written exams:
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FOI (Fundamentals of Instructing)
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FIA (Flight Instructor – Airplane)
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For CFII applicants: FII (Flight Instructor – Instrument)
FAA Written Exam
Receive flight instruction and endorsements covering:
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Spin awareness and recovery (required for initial CFI)
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Fundamentals of instruction from the right seat
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Instrument procedures (for CFII)
Flight Training
A comprehensive oral exam and flight test conducted by an FAA Inspector or authorized DPE. You'll be tested on your ability to explain, demonstrate, and teach.
FAA Checkride
In our professional Flight Training Program, you will take to the skies with the help of top industry experts. You'll fly first with our experienced instructors in the cockpit, then eventually by yourself, with your instructor lending a hand on the ground. You'll learn every important maneuver you need to achieve your goals: whether as a private pilot, commercial pilot, or certified flight instructor.
Students may train in our aircraft or in their own! Our flight training courses are designed to do more than just help you pass an exam. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and experience to be a great pilot.
In our professional Flight Training Program, you will take to the skies with the help of top industry experts. You'll fly first with our experienced instructors in the cockpit, then eventually by yourself, with your instructor lending a hand on the ground. You'll learn every important maneuver you need to achieve your goals: whether as a private pilot, commercial pilot, or certified flight instructor.
Students may train in our aircraft or in their own! Our flight training courses are designed to do more than just help you pass an exam. Our goal is to equip you with the knowledge and experience to be a great pilot.