The Flight Instructor certificate is one of the most challenging and rewarding certificates you can earn. High Flight Aviation offers a 5-day Flight Instructor certificate that will give you the knowledge and skill to pass your check ride; the first time! The CFI – Initial course is one of our most intense courses offered and is not meant for everyone. The course is meant not only to prepare you to pass your check ride, but to teach you how to teach others to fly. A large degree of your success is directly dependent on your ability to study and prepare prior to the course.

Course Overview

Success in this program and your successful check-ride is largely dependent on your preparation in advance of our program. Read Preparing for the CFI Practical Test to understand the recommended preparation, prerequisites, and schedule. In order to better facilitate your success and preparation, I am available to review and listen to your lesson plans at no additional charge.  I also have several lesson plan samples from other students that have successfully obtained their CFI Rating.

The accelerated CFI course, because of its detail and complexity can be configured to suit your schedule, either 5 days in a row or with a break in between. However it is important to compress the training into as short a time frame as possible to insure continuity and retention of learning. A typical day will start with a ground lessons and ending with a flight of approximately 1.5 – 2 hours.

Aeronautical Requirements

The Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) instructor certificate is governed by FAR’s 61.181-189.

Course Prerequisites

In order to start the CFI Accelerated course, you will need to have completed the following prerequisites. If you need assistance with completing these prior to the course, reach out to us and we will work with you to get them completed. It is your responsibility to ensure the prerequisites are completed prior to starting the course with us.

• Commercial pilot certificate with Instrument Rating.
• Spin Endorsement Complete (we can help schedule this if necessary).
• Both FIA/FOI Written tests completed or alternatively a valid ground instructor certificate and FIA test completed.

Course Schedule

We try to adhere to the following schedule, however, sometimes we need to adjust the schedule to be able to fly before/after weather.

• Day 1 | Breaking the ice and flying from the right seat
• • Beginning flight instruction
• • CFI Ground
• Day 2 | Basic instruction techniques
• • Basic 4 Maneuvers & Instrument Reference
  • CFI Ground
• Day 3 | Teaching performance maneuvers
• • Performance & Ground Reference Maneuvers 
  • CFI Ground
• Day 4 | Commercial maneuvers, Stalls and stall/spin awareness
• • Commercial Maneuvers and Flight Instructor stalls
  • CFI Ground
• Day 5 | Finishing up
• • Mock Check-Ride
  • Mock Oral
• Check Ride! | Provided you are successful passing the course, your check ride will be 1-3 days following the completion of the course.

Course Cost

Click “Register Now” for cost and dates.

This is an all-inclusive course. CFI Initial courses are taught exclusively by our chief instructor. The course covers all ground and flight instruction and is based on the location selected.

Examiners are booked on day three of your course and are typically 1-2 weeks following the completion of the course. Some applicants are not able to complete the course in the 5-days. HFA will provide options for those clients prior to the end of the course. Examiners fees are paid directly to the examiner and not included in the cost of the course. Examiners costs are extortion level of $2,000-$3,000, depending on the examiner selected (Yes, you can choose).

Locations Available

The following locations are available for your CFI Course at various times throughout the year (Click Register Now for course dates and locations). Cost and availability are available on the registration page.

• San Diego, CA (KMYF)
• • This location is offered throughout the year
• Sandpoint, ID (KSZT)
• • This location is offered May-September
  • Training is accomplished in a Lake Amphibian.
  • • Your ASES training is included but requires an extra check ride.
    • Completion of this check ride, followed by your CFI check ride will allow you to train future students in ASES.
    • Other aircraft may be available, contact us for options.
  • Your Complex endorsement is included.

Payment Terms and Conditions

The course cost is $6,000, not including the aircraft. If you would like us to provide the aircraft, you can factor in an additional $2,500 for basic trainers (C172, PA28). For CFI training in a different aircraft or our Lake Amphibian, please reach out to us for an estimate. A $500 non-refundable deposit is due when booking the course and the balance on Day 1. HFA accepts all major credit cards, cash, check. A 5% discount is applied for cash customers.