Is the PPL instructor now a reality?
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: West Sussex
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The CRI/FI situation does seem very strange.
My proposal is that succesful FI candidates should be given a CRI rating as well as their restricted FI rating - that way they would still need to be supervised for ab initio training, but not for other training.
Many CRIs instruct aerobatics as well, yet FIs need to have their aerobatics restriction removed before they can do it. Odd.
What happens to CRIs under EASA?
My proposal is that succesful FI candidates should be given a CRI rating as well as their restricted FI rating - that way they would still need to be supervised for ab initio training, but not for other training.
Many CRIs instruct aerobatics as well, yet FIs need to have their aerobatics restriction removed before they can do it. Odd.
What happens to CRIs under EASA?
What happens to CRIs under EASA?
FCL.905.CRI CRI - Privileges and conditions
(a) The privileges of a CRI are to instruct for:
(1) the issue, revalidation or renewal of a class or type rating for non-complex non-high performance single-pilot aeroplanes, when the privileges sought by the applicant are to fly in single-pilot operations;
(2) a towing or aerobatic rating for the aeroplane category, provided the CRI holds the relevant rating and has demonstrated the ability to instruct for that rating to an FI qualified in accordance with FCL.905.FI(i).
(a) The privileges of a CRI are to instruct for:
(1) the issue, revalidation or renewal of a class or type rating for non-complex non-high performance single-pilot aeroplanes, when the privileges sought by the applicant are to fly in single-pilot operations;
(2) a towing or aerobatic rating for the aeroplane category, provided the CRI holds the relevant rating and has demonstrated the ability to instruct for that rating to an FI qualified in accordance with FCL.905.FI(i).
The privileges of a CRI are restricted to the class or type of aeroplane in which the instructor assessment of competence was taken. The privileges of the CRI shall be extended to further classes or types when the CRI has completed, within the last 12 months:
(1) 15 hours flight time as PIC on aeroplanes of the applicable class or type of aeroplane;
(2) one training flight from the right hand seat under the supervision of another CRI or FI qualified for that class or type occupying the other pilot’s seat.
(1) 15 hours flight time as PIC on aeroplanes of the applicable class or type of aeroplane;
(2) one training flight from the right hand seat under the supervision of another CRI or FI qualified for that class or type occupying the other pilot’s seat.
T'is interesting.
I did my CRI post CPL and with 1200ish hours and 23 years working in aviation including a couple of aero-eng degrees and 370 hours of flight testing: all I know is that I exceeded the pass standard, but not by what margin. I know only a few other CRIs and the only one I know who has passed the course without a professional licence happens to have a PhD in flight mechanics and 3+ decades working in the flight test industry.
Are people actually passing the CRI with a vanilla PPL and a few hundred hours? If they aren't, it probably goes a long way to addressing the concerns various people, entirely understandably, are expressing.
G
I did my CRI post CPL and with 1200ish hours and 23 years working in aviation including a couple of aero-eng degrees and 370 hours of flight testing: all I know is that I exceeded the pass standard, but not by what margin. I know only a few other CRIs and the only one I know who has passed the course without a professional licence happens to have a PhD in flight mechanics and 3+ decades working in the flight test industry.
Are people actually passing the CRI with a vanilla PPL and a few hundred hours? If they aren't, it probably goes a long way to addressing the concerns various people, entirely understandably, are expressing.
G
Join Date: Dec 2005
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Theres plenty vanilla ppl's get through the CRI test. Theres lots of them in the likes of the gliding and parachute scene. Theres no less than 3 CRI's between my 2 local gliding clubs. All of them PPL's with less than 500 hours. Admittedly all have gliding experience to add. All free however to instruct unsupervised.
Its quite common in the gliding scene - fly gliders, get a PPL conversion, fly the tug for 300 hours then do a CRI rating so you can be chief tuggie and teach other people to fly it.
Its quite common in the gliding scene - fly gliders, get a PPL conversion, fly the tug for 300 hours then do a CRI rating so you can be chief tuggie and teach other people to fly it.
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: oxford
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Its a damn good good that we are going to be able to continue to use PPL instructors. I run a flying school and I struggle like mad to find unrestricted instructors.
Those I have are very good, but most just do it as a hobby/ sideline/ will instruct when not flying the 747. etc etc I know also talking to other schools that they too struggle to find full time FIs. I didnt personally think that 30K a year was too bad as a salary, but naturally many (as has always been the case) are just passing through to getting a commerical job and when you mention its a full time job instructing on PA38/ PA28s with a bit of AOC work chucked in etc they loose interest.
Thinking about putting a small turbine on the PA28 or C152s to attract the instructors!!!!!!! (only joking).
I remember years ago there were people who CHOOSE a career as instructing. Have these people all disappeared now????
Those I have are very good, but most just do it as a hobby/ sideline/ will instruct when not flying the 747. etc etc I know also talking to other schools that they too struggle to find full time FIs. I didnt personally think that 30K a year was too bad as a salary, but naturally many (as has always been the case) are just passing through to getting a commerical job and when you mention its a full time job instructing on PA38/ PA28s with a bit of AOC work chucked in etc they loose interest.
Thinking about putting a small turbine on the PA28 or C152s to attract the instructors!!!!!!! (only joking).
I remember years ago there were people who CHOOSE a career as instructing. Have these people all disappeared now????
Join Date: Sep 2011
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Instructing - the lowest form of aviation?
What should flying instructors or flying instruction be about? Call me an idealist, but should it not be about ensuring only those who demonstrate above average flying skills and appropropriate aeronautical knowledge should be allowed to earn the coveted title of FI, and all that that should mean? Flying hours does not equate to experience, but it is unlikely that someone with low hours (200-300) would have gained sufficient real time experience. FIs have also allowed themselves to be boxed into the corner of 'the lowest form of aviation', It is not, and perhaps the time is coming for serious FIs to seek a meaningful recognition of what should, in reality, be the highest form of aviation. Just a thought.
Join Date: Jul 2006
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@steakandchips
You are joking right? 30K a year for instructing.....
There is shed loads of experienced instructors with out jobs at the moment.( Cabair
)
I run a flying school and I struggle like mad to find unrestricted instructors.
I didnt personally think that 30K a year was too bad as a salary, but naturally many (as has always been the case) are just passing through to getting a commerical job and when you mention its a full time job instructing on PA38/ PA28s with a bit of AOC work chucked in etc they loose interest.
There is shed loads of experienced instructors with out jobs at the moment.( Cabair
)
but should it not be about ensuring only those who demonstrate above average flying skills and appropriate aeronautical knowledge should be allowed to earn the coveted title of FI
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: oxford
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No I am NOT joking.
I have even telephoned all the Cabair schools. There seems to be loads of low time FI(R)s about without jobs, but professional career instructors seem to be no where.
I agree with many of the others that a 200 hour FI(R) that I have checked out really arent experienced enough. The newly qualified ones are the worst. The ones that come out of Wellesbourne seem better than most though.
The point is we are offering £30k pa plus healthcare etc for PROFESSIONAL experienced FIs and we cant fill the positions. We can find plenty of low time FIRs.
I have even telephoned all the Cabair schools. There seems to be loads of low time FI(R)s about without jobs, but professional career instructors seem to be no where.
I agree with many of the others that a 200 hour FI(R) that I have checked out really arent experienced enough. The newly qualified ones are the worst. The ones that come out of Wellesbourne seem better than most though.
The point is we are offering £30k pa plus healthcare etc for PROFESSIONAL experienced FIs and we cant fill the positions. We can find plenty of low time FIRs.
Join Date: Apr 2011
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1) We have this old fashioned approach with the pupil having the same instructor from start to finish. 2) We also operate from a busy airfield with parachuting, gliding and GA as well, which requires experience and 3) we dont have the time to supervise the FIRs in the way that I feel they need supervising- too many FIRs are just chucked in the deep end and are not properly supervised. 4) We are looking for career instructors- not those that are just on their way up to an ATPL. These are a different breed! 5) We really do want excellence and the best.
