Welcome Guest. Sign in or Signup

4 Answers

Can a regular CFI with an instrument rating give instrument training to commercial applicant

Asked by: 4271 views FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor

Hey, I was wondering if CFI with an instrument rating (non CFII) can give the required instrument training to a commercial student. I'm referencing 61.195, but the legal jargon has me confused. thanks!

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.

4 Answers



  1. AV8R on Jan 07, 2021

    The answer is yes, a CFI that is not a CFII may provide the required instrument training needed for the issuance of the Commercial Pilot Certificate. The same applies for the instrument hours required for the Private Pilot Certificate.

    The CFII is only if you want to instruct others for the issuance of an instrument rating.

    Hope this answers your question.

    -5 Votes Thumb up 1 Votes Thumb down 6 Votes

  2. Best Answer


    Mark Kolber on Jan 07, 2021

    No. It says “instrument training” that requires a CFII.

    See the Jiblecki interpretation distinguishing the “control and maneuvering” language of 61.129 (c) for helicopters from the “instrument training” language in other subsections of 61.129.
    https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/agc/practice_areas/regulations/interpretations/Data/interps/2016/Jablecki%20-%20(2016)%20Legal%20Interpretation.pdf

    and 61.195(c):
    “A flight instructor may conduct 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 if the following requirements are met:

    “(1) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the flight instructor must hold an instrument rating appropriate to the aircraft used for the instrument training on his or her flight instructor certificate…”

    +4 Votes Thumb up 4 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  3. LTCTerry on Jan 07, 2021

    No.

    The private training is worded differently than commercial – “reference” to instruments.

    FAR 61.195 says: “(c) Instrument rating. A flight instructor may conduct 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 if the following requirements are met:
    (1) Except as provided in paragraph (c)(2) of this section, the flight instructor **must hold an instrument rating appropriate to the aircraft** used for the instrument training ***on his or her flight instructor certificate***, and –

    “Must hold” an “Instrument rating” “on his/her flight instructor certificate.”

    I thought it was written pretty clearly if you take the time to read the words.

    See also the Grayson interpretation.

    +2 Votes Thumb up 2 Votes Thumb down 0 Votes



  4. AV8R on Jan 07, 2021

    I got it now, thanks Mark Kolber and LTCTerry for providing the legal interpretation. The key is in the word “instrument training”

    I retract what I said on my prior post. Follow what Mark Kolber and LTCTerry said!!

    +6 Votes Thumb up 6 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.