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Who is an “Authorized instructor” for the required training for an instrument rating?

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Instrument Rating

  The hangar-flying question poses the the idea that, while 15 hrs of IFR training must be with an "authorized instructor", my betting opponent claims that no FAR defines a CFII as the "authorized" one.  He claims any CFI can train & endorse for the rating.  I am stumped to find a section to refute him.  Any help?

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4 Answers



  1. Wes Beard on Aug 15, 2013

    61.193 and 61.195(c). Your friend is wrong.

    An authorized instructor is anyone whom the FAA has authorized to give and endorse for that training. The most common authorization is those who have an instrument rating on both their pilot and instructor certificates. Instructors employed in a training school may be allowed to train and endorse students based on the training school authorization.

    The point is, the FAR writer didn’t want to just limit the instructors to just CFII but to others “authorized” instructors.

    The FARs have two separate phrases for simulated instrument time. In the private pilot aeronautical experience (61.109(a)(3)) states “solely by reference to instruments” meaning that it is not instrument training and any CFI can provide the training. The instrument, commercial and ATP aeronautical experience states “instrument training” meaning only CFII’s can provide that training.

    More proof, look into the legal interpretations section on the FAA website.

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  2. Mark Kolber on Aug 16, 2013

    Here’s what the FAR says:

    61.195(c) Instrument Rating. A flight instructor who provides instrument training for the issuance of an instrument rating, a type rating not limited to VFR, or the instrument training required for commercial pilot and airline transport pilot certificates must hold an instrument rating on his or her pilot certificate and flight instructor certificate that is appropriate to the category and class of aircraft used for the training provided.

    Here’s what the FAA Chief Counsel says (it’s not just the 15 hours – all training received toward the instrument rating must be with a CFII):
    http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/agc/pol_adjudication/agc200/interpretations/data/interps/2010/grayson-3%20-%20(2010)%20legal%20interpretation.pdf

    …and here’s what I say 🙂 :

    Beware of friends pretending to be ****house lawyers and making **** up in hangar flying sessions.

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  3. Wes Beard on Aug 16, 2013

    Mark,
    The chief counsel opinion presented here states that 15 hours of actual or simulated time are required with a CFII and the other 25 hours of actual / simulated time can be with a safety pilot.

    If that safety pilot is also a CFI, then it would probably be OK. But they are only acting as a safety pilot and not providing instrument training.

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  4. Mark Kolber on Aug 17, 2013

    That’s right Wes. It can be with a safety pilot. But no logged instruction if the safety pilot also happens to b a one-I CFI.

    I had a chance to speak with the author of the letter. It didn’t change my opinion of its silliness.

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