The wisdom of obtaining a Basic/Advanced Ground Instruction certificate

888Airman

888Airman

Well-Known Member
I obtained my FAA Private Pilot's license six years ago, but I haven't been able to fly as much as I'd like (due to current budgetary constraints). Therefore, I am strongly considering pursuing a Basic/Advanced Ground Instruction certificate (I would consider the practical flight instructor part later on--budget permitting). I reasoned that the certification would help to maintain my visibility at the local airport, it would also enable me to assist a couple of upcoming student pilot hopefuls; and perhaps help to defray the personal cost of additional flight licenses/ ratings.

I realise that most flight instructors would prefer not to do ground instruction, so I was wondering if anyone on this forum could offer any insight about the overall demand for instructors of this specific kind in the US aviation training sector (ie persons who are specifically qualified to offer ground instruction towards the FAA written examinations). In addition (if there is sufficient demand), I'd like to know if ground instructors are more likely to secure employment at smaller schools, or larger flight academies (such as ATP, FlightSafety and ERAU). Also, is the Advanced Ground Instruction certificate of more value than the Basic?

Finally, I have an old friend in Trinidad who already has the FAA endorsed certification, and he was considering relocating to the states in the near future, and teaching ground school. What are the potential prospects (if any) for foreign candidates with the certification at US flight schools?
 
I've seen some folks gain more success as a ground instructor by developing a course for a local community college than with the local flight school. That said, if you can develop a course, advertise, and gather a class, a flight school will generally be happy to have you teach. Go read "The Savvy Flight Instructor."

Note that there's some experience requirements in 61.217... you'll have to get someone to say you're a competent instructor.

As for a foreigner, most flight schools don't want to deal with the visa process.
 
I did this while a PPL, writtens can be expensive if overseas, but you can study over a week and knock them out in a day if you prepare well. BGI doesnt help much but AGI and IGI mean you can teach the range of topics. If you ever become a CFI, you can get a gold seal certificate as this requires a ground instructor cert. You would need a trip to a FSDO stateside for them to process your certificate, but this can be done in the same visit.
 
I'd definitely do it. Good way to keep your mind active if you can't fly. Also there is no better way to master material than trying to teach it to others.
 
And I'll be the jerk here that says I don't think that too many student pilots are gonna pay money to learn from "just a lowly private pilot who took one more written exam".
 
hook_dupin said:
I've seen some folks gain more success as a ground instructor by developing a course for a local community college than with the local flight school. That said, if you can develop a course, advertise, and gather a class, a flight school will generally be happy to have you teach. Go read "The Savvy Flight Instructor."

Note that there's some experience requirements in 61.217... you'll have to get someone to say you're a competent instructor.
Click to expand...

As an aside, do note that they're CURRENCY requirements, and that if you do a FIRC with Gleim, they will happily issue you an endorsement for your GI currency.

-Fox
 
I'm with pachong on this but see it from a different perspective. I don't think there is a large demand, and the demand would probably come from current students who already have an instructor. That instructor has experience you do not yet have - as you stated you hardly fly due to money. So if I had to pick between a certified instructor who is actively instructing and has experience, or a private pilot who hardly flies I'm going to go with the CFI...

Now on a personal growth level, it can help you, I just don't see it as a income potential
 
On the practical side, I got my AGI to supplement my CFI to sign off students to take the written. There is no reg that specifically states I have to keep a record for x years if I use my AGI to sign them off.

It's a useful cert to have in your back pocket :)
 
How is it useful to have in your back pocket?
So you don't have to spend 10 seconds entering it in your logbook?
Big brother knows who you endorse regardless of which certificate # you use

The only practical use I have ever seen was a guy that was physically unable to fly but taught ground at a big school because he loved aviation.
 
You need it for a Gold seal. Other than that it might be handy if you have medical issues.

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk
 
I have both my IGI and AGI, the only time I ever needed or used either was when I got my gold seal. Other than that they we just $50 a letter on my business card
 
DBrown said:
How is it useful to have in your back pocket?
So you don't have to spend 10 seconds entering it in your logbook?

That's exactly right actually. I don't want to have to log written tests and results.

It was an easy cert to get, took another test and that's it. It's useful for gold seal, logging purposes and as others have mentioned, it's on my business card :)
Click to expand...
 
I'm not opposed to anyone getting it for any reason,
but in the OP's case it would be pretty useless without the CFI to back it up if the goal is income.

And I disagree with the OP's statement that most instructors prefer not to give ground...that's nothing but an opinion, it's impossible to not give ground as a CFI unless you never sign anyone off for anything.

No CFI is going to sign off a practical without giving enough ground to make sure they are ready. If they do then they ought not be instructors.

If the goal is to stay involved in aviation and eventually becoming a gold seal instructor by all means get nuts

You can never know too much!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top