I disagree with kiwi chick. I found that a large proportion of the CPL ground exams were irrelevant, and much of it was rote learning that I forgot almost as soon as the exams were over. Some of it was useful, but I'm talking about quite a small proportion. As for hour building, flying skills, putting across how to fly - of course an instructor needs that, but that's a separate issue.
Some years ago you could get an FI rating without getting a CPL. That was the situation for many years, and I don't think the standard of instructing was any worse. In fact, I supect it was better as there were more career or enthusiast instructors, rather than mainly hour builders.
Anyway, to get back to the original question, at the moment there are no other options. There are ideas afoot to have a special FI course in the future, but not yet. Or you can become a microlight instructor...which is not such a bad idea; pays better too.
But
AFAIK that's about it. And I agree, it doesn't make sense.
