Flight Instructor Course

The Flight Instructor (FI) course is one of the most enriching courses you can undertake. At Belfort Aviation, we believe the training you will receive will be unparalleled, setting the ideal standard for anyone aspiring to a career as a Flight Instructor.

Small white and blue aircraft parked on a tarmac at an airfield, with clear skies in the background.

Overview

The Flight Instructor (Restricted) (FI(R)) course requires applicants to have either a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) or a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) with over 200 hours total time, including 150 hours as Pilot-In-Command, and passes in at least the CPL or ATPL theory examinations if you wish to teach full PPL (A). CPL/ATPL knowledge is not required if you only wish to instruct on LAPL courses. Additionally, the pilot must have at least 30 hours on the class of aircraft for the course, with at least five of these hours within the preceding six months.

The course comprises 30 hours of flight instruction with an approved FIC Instructor (up to 5 of these may be flown as mutual time with another Flight Instructor student) and at least 125 hours of ground school. Upon completion, an assessment of competence must be taken with an approved Flight Instructor Examiner, usually from our base airfield. The supervisory restriction can be lifted once the instructor has completed at least 100 hours of flight instruction and authorized 25 student solo flights.

FI Night Instruction Privileges: To allow the FI to teach for the night rating, the privilege must be endorsed on the FI’s instructor certificate. The course can be completed while the supervisory restriction is still in place and requires a training flight at night with one of our approved FIC Instructors, along with two hours of ground school. Upon completion, a recommendation is required for the addition of night instruction privileges. The night instruction training can be integrated into the Flight Instructor (Restricted) training course, subject to operational limitations.

Course Breakdown

Pre Course Requirements :

  • Hold an UK CAA CPL (A) or PPL (A)

  • Passed CPL/ATPL theory exams (not required if instructing LAPL (A) only)

  • 200 hours total flight time

  • 150 hours PIC

  • 30 hours SEP (minimum)

  • 5 hours in the 6 months preceding course start date

  • Completed a 300nm qualifying cross-country

  • 10 hours IF (maximum 5 hours in a simulator)

  • 20 hours VFR PIC in SEP aircraft

Flight instruction can be carried out on the aircraft of your choice, either our Cessna 152, or PA28 Piper Warrior. The spinning aspect of the course will be undertaken in a Cessna 152.

The ground school comprises 125 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction. During this time a student instructor will refresh their theoretical knowledge and learn how to teach, prepare and give technical lectures and conduct pre-flight briefs.

In simple terms the training comprises of :

  • 125 hours ground instruction

  • 24 hours minimum of dual instruction in either the Warrior or Cessna 152

  • 1 hours minimum of dual instruction (spinning) in the Cessna 152

  • 5 hours mutual instruction in the Warrior or Cessna 152

Prices

Cessna 152

  • £10,950 for the 30 hour course

Piper Warrior PA 28

  • £11,950 for the 30 hour course (includes 1 hour on the Cessna 152 to cover spinning)

Price includes: Flight School amenities, all landing and touch & go fees at Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green Airport, 30 hours of aircraft hire and 75 hours of delivered ground school.

Not Included: Course materials, 2.5 hour assessment of competence and examiner fee.