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4 Answers

Is an Instrument Rating required for a CFI applicant?

Asked by: 2665 views Flight Instructor, Instrument Rating

I am about to take my CFI check ride (ASEL) (again) and just want to be able to answer this question with confidence if asked. I hold a commercial ASEL with an instrument rating. I have looked at 61.183(c)(2) which states you need either an instrument rating OR privileges on your certificate appropriate to the flight instructor rating sought. The latter part of that limitation is what confuses me. Can anyone explain to me situation for the OR portion of this reg? Thanks!

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4 Answers



  1. KenW on Nov 07, 2015

    I could be mistaken but I’ve always assumed the “or privileges” statement in 163(c)(2) applies to an applicant who holds an ATP. Once you earn an ATP you no longer have an instrument rating as the ATP itself grants instrument privileges.

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  2. John D Collins on Nov 07, 2015

    I read this simply as requiring that your commercial certificate also have the same ratings that you are applying for as an instructor.

    So don’t apply for a multi engine instructor rating if all you have on your commercial certificate is single engine.

    IOW, if you want to be a dog catcher instructor, you need dog catcher on your pilot certificate.

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  3. KenW on Nov 07, 2015

    John, I agree that is what 183(c)(1) is saying, I read 183(c)(2) as going on to say that you need to have an instrument rating if you hold a commercial license or instrument privileges, which is what you would have if you hold an ATP.

    Thomas, if I had been asked this question during my CFI oral my answer would have been yes in my case since I held a commercial pilot’s license. I would have gone on to say that if I held an ATP the answer would be no since the ATP would have granted me the required instrument privileges.

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  4. thomas johnston on Nov 08, 2015

    Thanks for the clarification. The wording just gets me confused sometimes. Appreciate it!

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