A pilot with a flight instructor rating (FIR) is authorised to conduct flight training for pilots who want to get a pilot licence, rating or endorsement. Flight instructors can deliver flight training in aircraft and flight simulation training devices (FSTDs). FSTDs includes flight simulators, simulated training devices and flight trainers.
As a pilot, you can get a simulator instructor rating (SIR) which allows you to conduct flight training but only in FSTDs. If you hold an FIR, you don’t need to hold an SIR to conduct flight training in FSTDs.
Your role as a flight instructor
Flight instructors play a critical role in aviation safety as they support trainees build their pilot qualifications and grow their aviation careers. We refer to what you can do as a flight instructor as privileges of your flight instructor rating.
As a flight instructor, you can conduct flight training for:
- aircraft class and type ratings
- differences training for type ratings
- design feature endorsements
- flight activity endorsements
- general pilot competency
- operational ratings and endorsements (except for flight examiner ratings)
- pilot licences
- recreational pilot licence endorsements.
In addition to flight training, you can also:
- grant design feature and flight activity endorsements to pilot licence holders
- conduct multi-crew cooperation training (MCP training endorsement required)
- conduct flight reviews and enter the review details on the pilot’s licence and submit a report to us.
- authorise a student to conduct a solo training flight, authorise taxiing aircraft and using an aircraft radio.
For more information, read Chapter 11 of the Part 61 plain English guides for aeroplane and helicopter category flight crew licensing.
Training endorsements
As a flight instructor, the flight training you can conduct depends on the training endorsements (TE) you hold. When you qualify for your FIR, you qualify for at least one TE. You can get additional TEs by completing additional training and a flight test for each TE
In most cases, TEs are aircraft category, aircraft class or aircraft type specific. That means you can conduct flight training under that TE limited to the aircraft rating
There are three groups of TEs for training in the following areas:
- pilot licences and aircraft ratings
- operational ratings
- flight activity and low-level endorsements.
The most common TEs are for pilot licence and single-engine class rating training and there are 3 grades:
- Grade 3 is the entry level TE and authorises training for recreational, private and commercial pilot licences and single-engine class ratings
- Grade 2 is a step up from the G3 and authorises the instructor to conduct flight reviews and send student pilot on their first solo flight
- Grade 1 is a step up from the G2 and authorises the instructor to supervise other instructors.
- Grade 1 TE holders have additional privileges and can conduct flight tests in special circumstances. Refer to CASA xxxx for more information.
Getting a flight instructor rating (FIR)
To get a FIR, you must hold one of the following:
- private pilot licence (PPL)
- commercial pilot licence (CPL)
- air transport pilot licence (ATPL)
- a certificate of validation for an equivalent foreign licence.
If you only hold a PPL, you may only instruct for design feature and flight activity endorsements.
You also need to:
- meet aeronautical experience requirements before beginning instructor training
- complete training in the principles and methods of instruction or hold a Certificate IV in Training and Assessment or a tertiary teaching qualification
- pass the Pilot Instructor Rating Common (PIRC) theory exam
- meet the requirements for the FIR
- pass a flight test in an aircraft for the rating and at least one training endorsement
- hold a current applicable medical certificate.
Aeronautical experience requirements
Before you start training for an instructor rating, you must meet aeronautical experience requirements in the appropriate category of aircraft (aeroplane or helicopter).
Helicopters
You must have at least:
- 250 hours flight time as a pilot
- 100 hours flight time as pilot in command.
You don’t have to meet these requirements if you completed both of the following in the helicopter category:
- your CPL through an integrated course of training
- passed the flight test for the grant of a helicopter category rating.
Aeroplanes
You must have at least:
- 200 hours flight time as pilot
- 100 hours flight time as pilot-in-command.
You do not have to meet these requirements if you have completed these items in the aeroplane category:
- your CPL through an integrated training course
- passed the flight test for the grant of an aeroplane category rating.
Progress from instructor Grade 3 to Grade 1
Many flight instructors begin their instructor career as a Grade 3 flight instructor and work at a flying school under the supervision of a Grade 1 instructor. As they gain experience and expertise with flight training, they often progress to a Grade 2 training endorsement (G2-TE) then onto a Grade 1 (G1-TE).
Upgrading involves gaining experience and expertise conducting initial flight training. A G2 requires 200 hours and a G1 requires 500 hours. Initial flight training is the training an applicant for a recreational pilot licence completes. You also need to complete additional TE specific training and a flight test.
Under the supervision of your Part 141 or Part 142 Head of Operations, you’ll learn how to manage a variety of student pilots and training situations. This experience expands your capability as an instructor.
In the aviation industry we refer to Grade 1 instructors as career pilot instructors. They supervise other instructors and conduct advanced flight training and direct programs in flight schools. To get a Grade 1 training endorsement, you need:
- a Grade 2 training endorsement
- at least 500 hours conducting initial flight training in the relevant aircraft category.
You also need to meet the training, competency and flight test requirements for the endorsement.
For more information, see Chapter 11 of our Part 61 plain English guides for aeroplane and helicopter category flight crew licensing.
PPL holder as pilot instructor
A PPL holder can become a flight instructor. However, you can only get training endorsements to give training for design feature endorsements and flight activity endorsements.
If you want to instruct in other areas, you need to have at least a CPL
The requirements for the FIR for a PPL are the same:
- meet the experience requirements
- complete instructor training
- pass the PIRC exam
- pass a FIR flight test for one of the TEs available to PPLs.