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.
Here Are a Few Options:
JA Flight Training
3 Weeks Accelerated CFIA/CFII Academy
CFIA/CFII 3 Week Academy Combined: $8995.00 ($1780due at sign up)
CFI-A Academy- 2 weeks: $5955.00 ($1390 due at sign up)
CFI-I Academy- 1 week: $3000.00 ($1390 due at sign up)
4% processing fee for using credit cards.
$1000 non-refundable deposit due at registration, plus $390 registration materials purchased per class. Remaining balance due on start date of Academy. Date change requests will be charged a $100 rescheduling fee and must be received 2 weeks prior to original class start date. Any remaining account funds must be used up, no refunds will be given.
Prices are subject to change prior to the start of the Academy. Students will need to pay any difference in cost.
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?
| 2025 Acedemy Dates | CFIA | CFII |
|---|---|---|
| January | Jan 6-17 | Jan 20-24 |
| February | Feb 3-14 | Feb 17-21 |
| March | Mar 3-14 | Mar 17-21 |
| April | Apr 7-18 | Apr21-25 |
| May | May 5-16 | May19-23 |
| June | June 2-13 | June 16-20 |
| July | July 7-18 | July 21-25 |
| August | Aug 4-15 | Aug 18-22 |
| September | Sept 8-19 | May 20-25 |
| October | Oct 6-17 | Oct 20-24 |
| November | Nov 3-14 | Nov 17-21 |
| December | Dec 1-12 | Dec 15-19 |
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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