Teach how to fly!
Flight instructing is a great way to share your knowledge and experience with other aviation enthusiasts and to develop your own skills and knowledge. Earning a CFI certificate is also a great way to get started on building an aviation career.
- Online scheduling
- Part 61 and Part 141 programs available
- In-person or virtual ground school available
- VA-Approved
- Non-U.S. Citizens welcome!
- Our maintenance team will keep you flying
- Fuel and line service included
Privileges and Limitations
Getting a Flight instructor certificate gives you the privilege of training and endorsing other pilots. Completing our initial CFI certificate course will allow you to train pilots in Single-Engine Airplanes. You’ll be able to provide training and endorsements towards the following certificates, ratings, and reviews:
- Sport Pilot Certificate
- Recreational Pilot Certificate
- Private Pilot Certificate
- Commercial Pilot Certificate
- Flight Reviews
Pre-Requisites
Before starting your Flight Instructor training at Regal Air you must meet the following requirements:
- FAA issued Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Instrument Rating
- Must be at least 18 years-old before taking the practical test
- Read, speak, and understand the English language
- 3rd Class medical privileges or BasicMed
Course Content
Ground Training
To earn your CFI certificate you will have to take ground training to prepare for three FAA tests:
- Fundamentals of Instruction Knowledge Test
- Flight Instructor – Airplane Knowledge Test
- Flight Instructor – Airplane Practical Test
To prepare you for the Fundamentals of Instruction Knowledge Test (FOI) you will take ground training in the following:
- The learning process
- Elements of effective teaching, evaluation, and testing
- Course development, planning, and classroom training techniques
To prepare you for the Flight Instructor Airplane Knowledge Test (FIA) you will take ground training in the following:
- All the aeronautical knowledge areas required by the recreational, private, and commercial pilot certificates
To prepare you for the Practical Test you will develop lesson plans and prepare to provide instruction in the following:
- Fundamentals of instructing and technical subject areas
- Preflight preparation and procedures
- All maneuvers required for the recreational, private, and commercial pilot certificates
- Airport operations, takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds
- Basic instrument maneuvers
- Emergency procedures
- Post-flight procedures
We understand that everyone has a different schedule and different needs. We offer several options to complete ground training based on your situation:
- Attend our in-person ground school in the classroom at Regal Air
- Take our ground school via Zoom
- Complete guided self-study with one of our instructors
- Complete a ground training course from a reputable 3rd party (Part 61 students only)
Flight Training
Flight training for an initial CFI applicant must be performed by a Certificated Flight Instructor (CFI) who has at least two years or 200 hours of flight instruction experience. The purpose of this flight training is to teach you the skills, knowledge, and judgment required to safely teach others to fly and to prepare you for the FAA’s Flight Instructor – Airplane Practical Test conducted by a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE).
Flight Training Content
Our CFI training course has a two stages, each concluding with a Stage Check by one of our highly experienced Check Instructors. The course concludes with an End of Course Check, conducted by a Check Instructor, to ensure you are prepared for the practical test.
Stage 1
The focus of this stage is practicing and analyzing maneuvers and procedures. You will practice performing all normal and emergency procedures, maneuvers, takeoffs, and landings required by the FAA from the right seat.
Stage 2
In this stage you will practice flying and explaining all of the procedures and maneuvers you practice in Stage 1. By the end of this stage, you should be able to fly all the required procedures and maneuvers to the same standards required for a commercial pilot, from the right seat, while explaining how to perform them.
Flight Instructors
At Regal Air we understand that one of the most important factors affecting the success of students during flight training is the relationship with their instructor. We have several CFIs who are qualified to provide training for initial CFI applicants and able to meet your scheduling requirements.
Airplanes
The airplane you choose will have an impact on your flight training. We recommend choosing an airplane that is relatively simple as this will allow you to focus on the fundamentals and earn your certificate in a shorter amount of time.
At Regal Air we have the following airplanes available for CFI training:
- Cessna 152
The C152 is an easy to fly airplane and our most inexpensive option. Using this airplane can help reduce the costs of flight training due to its simplicity and lower expense. But, its low useful load and small size might prevent some pilots from using it for flight training. - Cessna 172 Skyhawk
The C172 is our most popular option for CFI training. Having 4 seats allows observers to come along for the flight to learn from each other and it is just as easy to fly as the C152. - Piper PA-28 Warrior
Similar performance characteristics to the C172, but in a low-wing design. - Your own airplane
Regal Air can provide you with training in your own airplane! contact us about insurance requirements and if your airplane is a feasible option for Private Pilot training.
Maintenance and Line Support
One of our biggest advantages at Regal Air is the availability of line and maintenance support. Our large team of professional Aviation Maintenance Technicians (AMT) ensures that our airplanes are in top shape and available for use when you need them. Our line crew tops off the airplane’s fuel tanks between flights so you don’t have to.
Course Requirements (Part 61)
Training may be completed under two sets of FAA regulations, Part 61 and Part 141.
There is no minimum hour requirement to complete the program under Part 61. That being said, most pilots need 15-20 hours of flight training to reach the level of proficiency required to pass the practical test. The amount of ground training required will vary from individual to individual. The focus of the ground training is on practice instruction for all the technical subject areas and special emphasis areas applicable to the practical test required by the FAA. This ground training can vary from 20-30 hours.
- Receive all the required ground training
- Receive all the required flight training
- Pass the Fundamentals of Instruction Knowledge Test (FOI)
- Pass the Flight Instructor Airplane Knowledge Test (FIA)
- Pass the FAA’s Practical Test for Flight Instructor – Airplane Single-Engine with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
Course Requirements (Part 141)
Training may be completed under two sets of FAA regulations, Part 61 and Part 141.
The FAA requires Part 141 Initial Flight Instructor training programs to have at least 40 hours of Ground Instruction. The 141 course is also required to have at least 25 hours of flight training.
- Receive all the required ground training (40 hours)
- Receive all the required flight training (25 hours)
- Pass all the Stage Checks and Exams
- Pass the End of Course Check and Exam
- Pass the Fundamentals of Instruction Knowledge Test (FOI)
- Pass the Flight Instructor Airplane Knowledge Test (FIA)
- Pass the FAA’s Practical Test for Flight Instructor – Airplane Single-Engine with a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE)
Course Costs
Part 61
$4,300 – $7,000
Part 141
$6,700 – $8,600
Regal Air works on a pay as you go system. There are no up-front costs to start flight training and you can simply pay for each lesson as you take it. We have a Premier Plan which can save you money as well as additional discounts if you make a deposit into an account at Regal Air. Please contact us about these options. Course costs vary greatly depending on the program chosen, the pilot’s background, and current level of proficiency. To help reduce costs you should:
- Research and prepare your lesson plans on your own, with CFI guidance
- Practice teaching aviation subjects to other people
- Prepare for your flights and know what will be performed ahead of time
- Rehearse for your flight lessons on your own
- Team up with another student to ride along and learn from each other
- Fly at least 2-3 times a week to ensure constant progress