Train with us at Waterford Aero Club to become a Flight Instructor – one of the most rewarding and enjoyable career paths in aviation.
For pilots wishing to give ab-initio instruction, they must have an FI certificate. After completing a course of training and passing the assessment of competence with an EASA FIE (Flight Instructor Examiner), the IAA 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 to have it removed. Once complete the instructor shall apply to the IAA to have the restriction removed.
Pre-Course Entry Requirements
An applicant for an FI(A) certificate shall:
Hold at least a CPL(A) and…
- 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
- 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 met the requirements for CPL theoretical knowledge, except for an FI(A) providing training for the LAPL(A) only
- completed at least 200 hours of flight time on aeroplanes or TMGs, of which 150 hours as PIC
- 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)
- 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
- have passed a specific pre-entry flight test with an FIC instructor 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 Commission Regulation (EU) No 1178/2011 (as amended).
Ground Training
The ground part of the course includes 25 hours of teaching and learning and at least 100 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction including computer based training and progress tests. The theoretical knowledge subjects are taken from the PPL / LAPL syllabus as follows:
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).
