Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

1 Answers

FI but not a CFI?

Asked by: 3715 views FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor

Is it specifically stated anywhere in the FAR's or any other government-issued document or publication that expressly prohibits someone who does not hold a CFI rating from instructing or teaching, most broadly, on topics of aviation? (such as material required for flight training for a private pilot license).

I was asked to teach some middle school-age kids about the basics of private flight training, and I intend to do so. I just want to make sure I am not breaking the law since I do not have my CFI. I know several CFI's personally and I will not ask them this question because I know they will be irritated at my stealing their local business. Yes I am getting paid; though an extremely small wage compared to someone with a rating. I have had some flight training myself although I will NOT be taking any of these kids up in an airplane.

So, am I doing something illegal? If yes, is it because I am being compensated, or would it still be illegal if I did it for free? I am looking for express written documentation. I am not looking for something implied. I've looked in the FAR/AIM and can't find it, but maybe I haven't looked thoroughly enough. Input appreciated!

Ace Any FAA Written Test!
Actual FAA Questions / Free Lifetime Updates
The best explanations in the business
Fast, efficient study.
Pass Your Checkride With Confidence!
FAA Practical Test prep that reflects actual checkrides.
Any checkride: Airplane, Helicopter, Glider, etc.
Written and maintained by actual pilot examiners and master CFIs.
The World's Most Trusted eLogbook
Be Organized, Current, Professional, and Safe.
Highly customizable - for student pilots through pros.
Free Transition Service for users of other eLogs.
Our sincere thanks to pilots such as yourself who support AskACFI while helping themselves by using the awesome PC, Mac, iPhone/iPad, and Android aviation apps of our sponsors.

1 Answers



  1. John D. Collins on Nov 14, 2012

    Claire,

    You need a CFI or Ground Instructor rating to provide required ground instruction that will count towards a pilot rating. Certain endorsements in a pilots records also require the instructor to be a CFI or hold a Certified Ground Instructor rating. With middle school students (11 to 14 years old), your class is only providing your students knowledge and it won’t count towards any requirement of obtaining a pilot rating or certificate. You aren’t taking any business from your CFI friends and they should be very supportive of your efforts. In fact, by exposing these students to flying, they are more likely to develop an interest in getting a pilots license when they are older and thus become potential future business for your CFI friends. You are breaking no law regardless if you are paid or paid well or not. Go for it and ask your CFI friends to be guest lecturers on topics and if I were asked to do this, as I have been, I would not expect any payment.

    +7 Votes Thumb up 7 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes


The following terms have been auto-detected the question above and any answers or discussion provided. Click on a term to see its definition from the Dauntless Aviation JargonBuster Glossary.

Answer Question

Our sincere thanks to all who contribute constructively to this forum in answering flight training questions. If you are a flight instructor or represent a flight school / FBO offering flight instruction, you are welcome to include links to your site and related contact information as it pertains to offering local flight instruction in a specific geographic area. Additionally, direct links to FAA and related official government sources of information are welcome. However we thank you for your understanding that links to other sites or text that may be construed as explicit or implicit advertising of other business, sites, or goods/services are not permitted even if such links nominally are relevant to the question asked.