Flight Instructor Ratings

Elevating Your Career: Becoming a CFI with Darkhorse Aviation

Embracing the role of a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) with Darkhorse Aviation is not just about enhancing your career opportunities—it’s a journey towards mastering aviation from the ground up. As a CFI, you unlock the potential to earn while you learn, deepening your understanding of aerodynamics, systems, regulations, and much more, all while accruing valuable flight experience.

Dynamic Training Approach

At Darkhorse Aviation, we recognize that CFI candidates come to us with a solid foundation in flying techniques and theoretical knowledge. Our training program, therefore, concentrates on honing your teaching skills. You’ll learn how to effectively communicate complex concepts, from maneuver execution to understanding weather patterns, ensuring your future students receive the highest quality education.

Our instructors, acting as students, provide a realistic teaching environment, offering insights and posing questions that refine your instructional abilities.
Flexibility is a cornerstone of our training schedule, with instructors available every day to accommodate your needs.
Developing lesson plans is an integral part of your training, fostering a proactive approach to teaching and learning.

Prerequisites for Aspiring CFIs

Hold a Commercial Pilot Single-Engine Land certificate and an Instrument Rating for airplanes.
Maintain a valid medical certificate and a current flight review.

Comprehensive Training Components

While the FAA does not set minimum training hours for CFIs, Darkhorse Aviation recommends a comprehensive preparation strategy:

Anticipated training includes at least 20 hours of ground instruction and 10 hours of flight training.
Completion of knowledge tests in areas like Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI), Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI), and Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA).
Development and refinement of lesson plans tailored to your instructional style.
Acquisition of a Spin Endorsement, crucial for teaching recovery techniques.

Essential Materials for Success

Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and Airplane Flying Handbook for foundational understanding.
Instrument Flying Handbook to ensure precision and safety in all conditions.
Private and Commercial Pilot – Airplane Airman Certification Standards (ACS) for a structured learning path.
Flight Instructor Practical Test Standards (PTS) for Airplane, to set clear objectives and expectations.
The latest FAR/AIM for up-to-date regulatory guidance.

Joining Darkhorse Aviation as a CFI candidate means embracing a role that’s both challenging and rewarding. You’ll not only advance your own career but also inspire and educate the next generation of pilots, sharing the thrill of flight and the discipline of aviation with aspiring aviators. Welcome to a world where teaching and flying merge into one exciting adventure.

The Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII) certification at Darkhorse Aviation opens new horizons for instructors, equipping them to guide students through the complexities of instrument flying. With a CFII certificate, instructors not only expand their teaching repertoire but also enhance their ability to navigate and instruct in real instrument meteorological conditions, thereby accumulating invaluable aeronautical experience.

Focused and Adaptive Training Program

Our CFII program is designed with the understanding that applicants are well-versed in the maneuvers and theoretical knowledge required for instrument flying. Therefore, the emphasis of training shifts towards effective instructional techniques, ensuring that you can clearly and confidently convey complex information to students.

Engage in practical teaching scenarios with our experienced instructors, who adopt the role of students to provide a realistic training environment. This approach helps you refine your teaching strategies and address any areas needing improvement.
Darkhorse Aviation offers unparalleled flexibility in scheduling, with instructors available every day to suit your personal commitments.
We encourage the proactive development of lesson plans, both prior to and throughout your training, to facilitate a structured and comprehensive learning experience.

Prerequisites for Aspiring CFIIs

Possession of a Commercial Pilot Single-Engine Land certificate and a Certified Flight Instructor certificate.
A valid medical certificate and a current flight review are essential.

Training Milestones

While the FAA does not specify minimum training hours for the CFII certification, Darkhorse Aviation recommends a targeted approach to ensure thorough preparation:

An estimated 12 hours of ground instruction paired with 6 hours of flight training to cover all necessary competencies.
The completion of this program prepares you for endorsement by an authorized instructor for the practical test.

Essential Training Resources

Key materials include the Pilot’s Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge and the Instrument Flying Handbook, essential for mastering instrument flight principles.
The Instrument Procedures Handbook further deepens your understanding of navigational techniques.
Study aids such as the Instrument Rating – Airplane Airman Certification Standards (ACS) and the Flight Instructor Instrument Practical Test Standards (PTS) for Airplane provide clear benchmarks for success.
Keeping abreast of regulations and procedures with the current FAR/AIM is also crucial.

Embarking on the CFII certification path with Darkhorse Aviation signifies a commitment to both personal and professional growth. As a CFII, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping competent instrument-rated pilots, equipped to face the challenges of flying in diverse weather conditions. Join us in this rewarding journey to elevate your instructional capabilities and impact the future of aviation.

Certified Flight Instructor

Certified Flight Instructor-Instrument Certificate