Average flight time to get CFI

Brazilian_Pilot

Brazilian_Pilot

Well-Known Member
Hey Everyone!

What do you guys think is the average flight time required to get a CFI. I'm trying to budget my CFI training and would like to know how many hours of flight time it took you guys to get it.

Thanks
 
It really depends on how competent a stick and rudder you are already. If you can already fly to commercial standards and have a commercial certificate than there is no requirement on flight time, besides for your practical test recommendation flight which has no minimum, and the flight portion of your checkride. Preparing for the CFI is 95% about ground school and studying. Practice teaching and know the FAR/AIMS inside and out as well as FAA-8083-25A, FAA-8083-3A. Also be sure to know the PTS inside and out. Other than that there is nothing really to it. The preparation ends up being much harder than the 7 hour checkride.
 
I did mine in 40 hours of ground training and 10 hours of flight. All included in a 172RG it took me $3,400 for training. On top of that, you have the 2 written test at around $175 a piece and the practical fees unless you do it at the FSDO (I got assigned a DE and pd $400).

Good Luck!!!
 
Our 141 syllabus is set up for 20 hours of flight training. I've noticed with my students it takes around 15-20 hours before they are confident with the teaching and the flying to take a checkride and start teaching. Your experiences may varry. With that said though, i would plan on around 20 hours of flight and be happy if you come in with less.
 
It really depends on your flying ability. Like mentioned before, the biggest part I think is the ground stuff. I read all the FAA publications cover to cover; plus sleeping with your FAR/AIM might help! 20 hours of flight time is probably about right because you already know how to do all the maneuvers, it's just getting used to talking and flying from the right seat.
 
Like everybody says, it depends; but I took seven months of studying and probably 15-20 hours of flight in those seven months.
I only hit the studying hard for the final three months. It is a hard thing to rush, but it is possible, though ill-advised.
 
If you been flying alot already and have some experience in the right seat already it shouldnt take more than 10 hours. But if you have never flown from the right seat or havent flown period in a while it will be more towards the 15-20. What I always suggest is that you dont even bother flying from the right seat till you have all the knowledge down pat, having taken both written test, and your instructor feels your ready for the oral portion of the test. Then just spend 10 hours or so in a week getting ready and make the call and schedule the ride. Flying while still not ready for the knowledge portion to me is a waste. Flying should be the last thing that you accomplish.
 
Inverted25 said:
If you been flying alot already and have some experience in the right seat already it shouldnt take more than 10 hours. But if you have never flown from the right seat or havent flown period in a while it will be more towards the 15-20. What I always suggest is that you dont even bother flying from the right seat till you have all the knowledge down pat, having taken both written test, and your instructor feels your ready for the oral portion of the test. Then just spend 10 hours or so in a week getting ready and make the call and schedule the ride. Flying while still not ready for the knowledge portion to me is a waste. Flying should be the last thing that you accomplish.
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Seems pretty close to my experience

I worked on the knowledge stuff for a solid 2 months, then did about 15hrs ground with an instructor on how to go from having the knowledge to teaching it!! Flying was 4 weeks, 12 hrs dual and about 8-10 solo with no right seat experience and minimum flying 6 months previous. Flying from the right seat is no problem, learning to teach and talk through the maneuvers through was the more challenging aspect. Get used to talking to yourself in preparation!!
 
I got checked out in the right seat right after I got my private. I'd recommend this to anyone who has any aspirations of CFI'ing, or even for someone who drives around a lot as a safety pilot. Someday, you may have to land from there. The local FBO quoted me for 20 flight and beaucoup ground, which I think may be a bit pessimistic flight wise.
 
Brazilian_Pilot said:
I'm planning on buying the king CFI dvd's I need some guidance. All my previous training was done part 141.
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Some people may really like the dvd sets but they aren't needed. As others have said all you need are the government books and a pts. The PTS is the checkride...oral and flight.
 
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