CFI = certified flight instructor
CFIG = certified flight instructor, glider
Aha! That bit was handy as it makes more sense now. Here in the UK we have various "grades" of flying instructors for both power and gliding, but the main difference is that power flying is licenced and gliding is not. Just in case there is confusion, in the UK
CFI for both power and gliding =
Chief flying instructor (aka God). There is only one per club. The CFI of a gliding club has overall responsibility for safety and will be considered culpable in a serious accident even if he/she wasn't involved directly. As stated,
you do not need an instructor rating to fly passengers but you do need the CFI's permission. With his/her head on the block it's a big responsibility that most are not happy to take lightly. It is therefore easier to only allow instructors to take passengers, as in an accident, the CFI can argue that the instructor was at least trained to take passengers. It is a shame that more do not allow qualified pilots to take passengers. However, self regulation in UK gliding has kept costs down and allowed a very good system to be developed by those who understand gliding the best (glider pilots themselves). All may change with EASA which may or may not be a good thing. I personally believe in the saying "if it ain't broke, don't fix it", but polititions don't often think that way, so I guess it will all change soon. The one positive thing about the change though, is there will most likely be a formal glider pilots licence. That will move responsibilty away from the CFI and onto the licenced pilot, which will formally allow passengers to be flown.
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