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7 Answers

Do you need to maintain an 80% pass rate to keep teaching initial CFI students?

Asked by: 2156 views FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor

Under 61.195 (h)(3)(ii) it states you need a first time pass rate of 80% for at least five applicants. Assume you meet that and start teaching and endorsing initial CFI students for checkride, but then your pass rate drops below 80%. Does that mean you are no longer eligible to instruct and endorse initial CFI students? 

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7 Answers



  1. Kris Kortokrax on Nov 29, 2022

    61.195(h)(3)(ii) only applies to an instructor teaching in an FAA approved course. (Part 141).
    It is an alternative set of requirements, if the instructor has not met the requirements of 61.195(h)(2).

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  2. J on Nov 29, 2022

    Thanks Kris, but that doesn’t answer the question – let’s assume they are using the 80% pass rate method of meeting requirements. What happens if their first ICFI student fails and drops their pass rate below 80%?

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  3. Kris Kortokrax on Nov 29, 2022

    If your pass rate drops below 80%, then you no longer meet the requirements laid out in 61.195(h)(3)(ii).

    Therefore, you could no longer teach a candidate for an initial flight instructor certificate.

    The Chief Instructor for the 141 school would be responsible for assigning a student to you and should not allow you to teach an initial candidate at that point.

    He could still assign someone seeking an additional flight instructor rating to you for instruction.

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  4. J on Nov 29, 2022

    Thanks Kris. I don’t think it matters whether it is a 141 or 61 school, if the CFI is using the 80% rule it would apply to both.

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  5. Kris Kortokrax on Nov 29, 2022

    It does matter. 61.195(h)(3) refers specifically to an FAA approved course. The FAA does not approve courses of instruction for Part 61 schools.

    If you are teaching at a Part 61 school, the 80% option is not available. You must meet the requirements of (h)(2).

    They allow the 80% option for Part 141 schools, because the course is approved by the FAA and the FAA conducts periodic surveillance of the school.

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  6. J on Dec 01, 2022

    Sorry Kris, I meant that a CFI that works for a 141 school will be able to teach part 61 or part 141 students using the 80% pass rate (as a 141 CFI) but what happens when they drop below the 80%? Now no longer able to teach initial CFI students at the school, regardless of if it is a part 61 or 141 course at the school?

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  7. Kris Kortokrax on Dec 02, 2022

    If you go below 80% pass rate, and do not meet the qualifications in (h)(2), you may not teach an initial CFI under either Part 61 or Part 141.

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