On-Track Aviation

UK | EASA | Flight Instructor (Aeroplane) - FI (A)

	The Cessna 152 and PA28 Warrior are flying club favourites
Training can be conducted on a variety of SE aeroplanes		Erect spinning is part of the FI training course

General

For pilots wishing to give ab-initio instruction must qualify for an FI certificate. After completing a course of training and passing the assessment of competence the UK CAA will issue an FI(A) certificate with privileges restricted in accordance with FCL.910.FI

This restriction remains in force until the FI(A) has completed the FCL.910.FI requirements and has applied to their National Aviation Authority (NAA) to have the restriction removed

Training is available to both UK CAA and EASA licence holders

Pre-Course Entry Requirements

An applicant for an FI(A) certificate shall:

(a) have received at least 10 hours of instrument flight instruction on the appropriate aircraft category, of which not more than 5 hours may be instrument ground time in an FSTD

(b) have completed 20 hours of VFR cross-country flight on the appropriate aircraft category as PIC

OR

hold at least a PPL(A) and have:
(i) except for an FI(A) providing training for the LAPL(A) only, passed the CPL theoretical knowledge examination, which may be taken without completing a CPL theoretical knowledge training course and which shall not be valid for the issue of a CPL

AND

(ii) completed at least 200 hours of flight time on aeroplanes or TMGs, of which 150 hours as PIC

(d) have completed at least 30 hours on single-engine piston powered aeroplanes of which at least 5 hours shall have been completed during the 6 months preceding the pre-entry flight test set out in FCL.930.FI(a)

(e) have completed a VFR cross-country flight as PIC, including a flight of at least 540 km (300 NM) in the course of which full stop landings at 2 different aerodromes shall be made

(f) have passed a specific pre-entry flight test with an FI qualified in accordance with FCL.905.FI(i) within the 6 months preceding the start of the course, to assess their ability to undertake the course. This pre-entry flight test shall be based on the proficiency check for class and type ratings as set out in Appendix 9 to Part FCL

Ground Training

The ground instruction includes 25 hours of teaching and learning and at least 100 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction including progress tests. The theoretical knowledge subjects are taken from the PPL / LAPL syllabus. The subjects are given below

Air Law, Aeroplane General Knowledge, Flight Performance and Planning, Human Performance and Limitations, Meteorology, Navigation, Operational Procedures, Principles of Flight and Communications

During the course the student instructor will practise giving ground lessons to the FIC instructor giving the course

The training shall be integrated with the flight training so that the maximum benefit is gained from time spent in the air

Flight Training

At least 30 hours of flight instruction, of which 25 hours shall be dual flight instruction, of which 5 hours may be conducted in an FFS, FNPT I/II, or FTD 2/3. The remaining 5 hours may be mutual flying, that is 2 student instructors flying together to practice flight demonstrations

The air exercises are similar to those used for training a PPL(A) but with additional items designed to cover the needs of an FI(A)

UK CAA Assessment of Competence

On successful completion of the training a recommendation will be made for the applicant to complete the assessment of competence. This must be carried out within 6 months of completion of the training. Failure to do so will result in the need for extra training. The assessment of competence will be conducted by an FIE. The assessment of competence schedule is given below

Section 1 Theoretical Knowledge Oral (See note 1)
#Long briefing / lesson title

#Air law
Aircraft general knowledge
Flight performance and planning
Human performance and limitations
Meteorology
Navigation
Operational procedures
Principles of flight
Training administration

Section 2 Pre-Flight Briefing
Visual presentation and content
Technical accuracy
Clarity of explanation
Clarity of speech
Instructional technique including TEM/CRM
Use of models and aids
Student participation

Section 3 Flight
Arrangement of demonstration
Synchronisation of speech with demonstration
Assessment and correction of student faults
Aircraft handling
Instructional technique
General airmanship and safety
Positioning and use of airspace
Risk assessment including TEM/CRM

Section 4 Mandatory Exercises and other Exercises at Examiner's discretion
Spin avoidance (SE aeroplane)
Safety module (See note 2)
Take-off and climb, engine failure after take-off (SE aeroplane)
Approach, landing, missed approach
Forced landing without power (SE aeroplane)
Additional exercises title and number

Section 5 ME (Aeroplane) Exercises (See note 3)
Engine failure (simulated) after take-off or on go-around
Asymmetric approach and go around
Asymmetric approach and landing

Section 6 Instrument Exercises
Basic instrument flight
Applied instrument flight
Instrument approach
Limited panel and unusual attitudes

Section 7 Post-Flight De-Briefing
Visual presentation and content
Technical accuracy
Clarity of explanation
Clarity of speech
Instructional technique and facilitation
Use of models and aids
Student participation

Notes:
1. This section is divided into two parts:

# The applicant is required to give a lesson under test conditions to other student(s), one of whom will be the examiner. The test lesson is to be selected from items of section 1. The amount of time for preparation of the test lesson is agreed upon beforehand with the examiner. Appropriate literature may be used by the applicant. The test lesson should not exceed 45 minutes

# The applicant is tested orally by the examiner for knowledge of items of section 1 and the core instructor competencies as given in the instructor course

2. The safety module is to comprise one or more exercise(s) from the following topics: weather appreciation, flight in poor visibility, calculation and appreciation of safety altitude, stall/spin awareness and navigation techniques

3. This section comprises additional exercises covering ME instructional privileges and is completed in a ME aircraft or FFS or FNPT II simulating a ME aircraft. This section, if applicable, is done in addition to sections 2, 3, 4, 6 and 7

EASA Assessment of Competence

Section 1 Theoretical Knowledge Oral (See note 1)
#Long briefing / lesson title

#Air law
Aircraft general knowledge
Flight performance and planning
Human performance and limitations
Meteorology
Navigation
Operational procedures
Principles of flight
Training administration

Section 2 Pre-Flight Briefing
Visual presentation
Technical accuracy
Clarity of explanation
Clarity of speech
Instructional technique
Use of models and aids
Student participation

Section 3 Flight
Arrangement of demo
Synchronisation of speech with demo
Correction of faults
Aircraft handling
Instructional technique
General airmanship and safety
Positioning and use of airspace

Section 4 ME (Aeroplane) Exercises (See note 2)
Actions following an engine failure shortly after take-off
SE approach and go around
SE approach and landing

Section 5 Post-Flight De-Briefing
Visual presentation
Technical accuracy
Clarity of explanation
Clarity of speech
Instructional technique
Use of models and aids
Student participation

Notes:
1. This section is divided into two parts:

# The applicant is required to give a lesson under test conditions to other student(s), one of whom will be the examiner. The test lesson is to be selected from items of section 1. The amount of time for preparation of the test lesson is agreed upon beforehand with the examiner. Appropriate literature may be used by the applicant. The test lesson should not exceed 45 minutes

# The applicant is tested orally by the examiner for knowledge of items of section 1 and the core instructor competencies as given in the instructor course

2. This section comprises additional exercises covering ME instructional privileges and is completed in a ME aircraft or FFS or FNPT II simulating a ME aircraft. This section, if applicable, is done in addition to sections 2, 3 and 5

References

AP3456 Royal Air Force Manual Flying
UK CAA Standards Documents 10
Part FCL, AMC and GM
Instructor Manual (EASA edition)

Validity

36 months

Privileges (see note)

After passing the initial FI(A) assessment of competence the privileges to instruct are restricted in accordance with FCL.910.FI

FI(A) - Restricted privileges (FCL.910.FI) (see note)

(a) An FI shall have his or her privileges limited to conducting flight instruction under the supervision of an FI for the same category of aircraft nominated by the DTO or the ATO for this purpose, in the following cases:

(1) for the issue of the PPL and LAPL

(2) in all integrated courses at PPL level, in case of aeroplanes and helicopters

(3) for class and type ratings for single-pilot, single-engine aircraft, except for single-pilot high-performance complex aeroplanes

(4) for the night, towing or aerobatic ratings

(b) While conducting training under supervision, in accordance with (a), the FI shall not have the privilege to authorise student pilots to conduct first solo flights and first solo cross-country flights

(c) The limitations in (a) and (b) shall be removed from the FI certificate when the FI has completed at least 100 hours of flight instruction in aeroplanes or TMGs and, in addition has supervised at least 25 student solo flights

FI(A) (see note)

The privileges of an FI(A) are to conduct flight instruction for the issue, revalidation or renewal of:

(a) a PPL(A) and LAPL(A) in the appropriate aircraft category

(b) class and type ratings for single-pilot, single-engine aircraft, except for single-pilot high performance complex aeroplanes

Extension to the FI(A) privileges may be obtained by gaining further experience and/or completing additional training/testing in accordance with FCL.905.FI

Note: FI without CPL theoretical knowledge shall have their privileges restricted to instruction for the LAPL only

Revalidation (FCL.940.FI, AMC1 FCL.940.FI)

Complete 2 of the following requirements:

(a) complete 50 hours of flight instruction during the period of validity. If the privileges to instruct for the IR are to be revalidated, 10 of these hours shall be flight instruction for an IR, and shall have been completed within the last 12 months preceding the expiry of the FI certificate (see notes 2, 3)

(b) completed instructor refresher training as an FI at an ATO or at the NAA during the period of validity

Notes:
1. An assessment of competence must be included as part of the revalidation requirements at every alternate revalidation
2. The 10 hours instrument instruction is not required if you teach only for the UK IMC rating / IR (Restricted)
3. The 10 hours IR instruction can be completed in either a SE or ME aeroplane if both SE and ME instructional privileges are held
4. In the UK holders of both SE and ME instructional privileges may complete a single flight in either a SE or ME aeroplane and the other privilege will be examined by oral questions during section 1 of the assessment of competence. This may not be the case in EASA
5. In EASA the assessment of competence must be the last item of the revalidation process in accordance with FCL.1030. In the UK this is not the case
6. When an assessment of competence is required for revalidation of an FI certificate, an applicant who fails to achieve a pass in the assessment before the expiry date of the FI certificate shall not exercise the privileges of that certificate until the assessment has successfully been completed
7. Hours flown as an examiner during skill tests or proficiency checks shall be credited in full towards revalidation requirements for all instructor certificates held

Renewal (FCL.940.FI, AMC1 FCL.940.FI)

Complete both of the following requirements within 12 months preceding FI certificate renewal:

(a) completed instructor refresher training as an FI at an ATO or at the National Aviation Authority

(b) pass an assessment of competence (see notes 1, 2)

Notes:
1. In the UK holders of both SE and ME instructional privileges may complete a single flight in either a SE or ME aeroplane and the other privilege will be examined by oral questions during section 1 of the assessment of competence. This may not be the case in EASA
2. In EASA the assessment of competence must be the last item of the renewal process in accordance with FCL.1030. In the UK this is not the case

FCL.1030

When conducting skill tests, proficiency checks and assessments of competence, examiners shall:
(i) ensure that communication with the applicant can be established without language barriers
(ii) verify that the applicant complies with all the qualification, training and experience requirements in Part FCL for the issue, revalidation or renewal of the licence, rating or certificate for which the skill test, proficiency check or assessment of competence is taken
(iii) make the applicant aware of the consequences of providing incomplete, inaccurate or false information related to their training and flight experience