FI on a PPL realistic?
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Leicester
Age: 49
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
FI on a PPL realistic?
Hi all
First of all a very merry christmas to you all. I am on here for some advice please. My dream was always to attain a CPL with an IR and see where it got me. However, as im sure many of you can relate to, spending that kind of money to achieve a dream is one hell of a gamble, especially at my age which is 40. A gamble i can ill afford to take. If i was a younger single man then i would have no hesitation. However, I love flying and want to get an FI endorsement (This was always the plan). My question(s) is basically is being a part time FI on a PPL a realistic ambition, employment wise (not necessarily as a main income) and would i have to complete all the 14 ATPL exams again as mine have expired. I have looked in the CAP but cant find anything specific to an FI course with a PPL. Thanks for taking the time out to read this.
First of all a very merry christmas to you all. I am on here for some advice please. My dream was always to attain a CPL with an IR and see where it got me. However, as im sure many of you can relate to, spending that kind of money to achieve a dream is one hell of a gamble, especially at my age which is 40. A gamble i can ill afford to take. If i was a younger single man then i would have no hesitation. However, I love flying and want to get an FI endorsement (This was always the plan). My question(s) is basically is being a part time FI on a PPL a realistic ambition, employment wise (not necessarily as a main income) and would i have to complete all the 14 ATPL exams again as mine have expired. I have looked in the CAP but cant find anything specific to an FI course with a PPL. Thanks for taking the time out to read this.
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Around and about
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi
It's as realistic as you want to make it. As long as you have the hours, (around 300 P1 on a PPL), the cross country time, relevant medical, (class 1 OR class 2 for a flight instructor), and all other things in place, it is perfectly feasible.
I may be wrong, but I don't think the ATPL exams expire for issue of an FI rating, (as you know, they do for CPL/IR issue).
It's as realistic as you want to make it. As long as you have the hours, (around 300 P1 on a PPL), the cross country time, relevant medical, (class 1 OR class 2 for a flight instructor), and all other things in place, it is perfectly feasible.
I may be wrong, but I don't think the ATPL exams expire for issue of an FI rating, (as you know, they do for CPL/IR issue).
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Strathaven Airfield
Posts: 895
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Why not become a three-axis microlight instructor?
Get to fly a nice aircraft, C42 or Eurostar, usually get paid more and no need for irrelevant exams for you or your students!
Get to fly a nice aircraft, C42 or Eurostar, usually get paid more and no need for irrelevant exams for you or your students!
It has always been possible to become a FI as a PPL holder, as you have already passed the CPL theory exams, then all you need is 300 hours as stated, the exams have no expiry date for this purpopse and you can do the FI course. Under EASA you can be remunerated so no problem fulfilling your ambition, many have started much later in life.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Leicester
Age: 49
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thanks for the reply guys. It is great news that i dont need to re-do the ATPL exams again, even though a quick refresher wont hurt. Not so good news about the 300 hours though. I was under the impression it was 200 hours TT with 150 hours P1?
Whilst 300 hours is a typical level for a PPL FI, the precise requirement is:
FCL.915.FI FI — Prerequisites
An applicant for an FI certificate shall:
(a) in the case of the FI(A) and FI(H):
(1) have received at least 10 hours of instrument flight instruction on the appropriate aircraft category, of which not more than 5 hours may be instrument ground time in an FSTD;
(2) have completed 20 hours of VFR cross-country flight on the appropriate aircraft category as PIC; and
(b) additionally, for the FI(A):
(1) hold at least a CPL(A); or
(2) hold at least a PPL(A) and have:
(i) met the requirements for CPL theoretical knowledge, except for an FI(A) providing training for the LAPL(A) only; and
(ii) completed at least 200 hours of flight time on aeroplanes or TMGs, of which 150 hours as PIC;
(3) have completed at least 30 hours on single-engine piston powered aeroplanes of which at least 5 hours shall have been completed during the 6 months preceding the pre-entry flight test set out in FCL.930.FI(a);
(4) have completed a VFR cross-country flight as PIC, including a flight of at least 540 km (300 NM) in the course of which full stop landings at 2 different aerodromes shall be made;
An applicant for an FI certificate shall:
(a) in the case of the FI(A) and FI(H):
(1) have received at least 10 hours of instrument flight instruction on the appropriate aircraft category, of which not more than 5 hours may be instrument ground time in an FSTD;
(2) have completed 20 hours of VFR cross-country flight on the appropriate aircraft category as PIC; and
(b) additionally, for the FI(A):
(1) hold at least a CPL(A); or
(2) hold at least a PPL(A) and have:
(i) met the requirements for CPL theoretical knowledge, except for an FI(A) providing training for the LAPL(A) only; and
(ii) completed at least 200 hours of flight time on aeroplanes or TMGs, of which 150 hours as PIC;
(3) have completed at least 30 hours on single-engine piston powered aeroplanes of which at least 5 hours shall have been completed during the 6 months preceding the pre-entry flight test set out in FCL.930.FI(a);
(4) have completed a VFR cross-country flight as PIC, including a flight of at least 540 km (300 NM) in the course of which full stop landings at 2 different aerodromes shall be made;
Flipski
I think it is also important to note that the personal flying skills and knowledge that you must have at the start of your FI training are unrelated to the license you hold.
My personal experience is that in 25 years of flight instruction, I have yet to meet a 200 hr PPL that was ready to start an FI course. Everyone would have required significant additional dual instruction to meet the base standard to commence FI training.
Your goal is certainly achievable I would just like to suggest that your budget should include that additional pre-course training. I recommend you start with an initial skills assessment by a senior instructor which will then allow you to create and cost a plan on how you are going to get from here to there.
I hope readers do not take my comments his as a slight to PPL pilots. It is simply a reflection of what I have seen. I should also note that despite the additional training they have received, most 200 hr CPL's are also not ready to start an FI course and require some level of remedial dual training to refine their handling skills.
I think it is also important to note that the personal flying skills and knowledge that you must have at the start of your FI training are unrelated to the license you hold.
My personal experience is that in 25 years of flight instruction, I have yet to meet a 200 hr PPL that was ready to start an FI course. Everyone would have required significant additional dual instruction to meet the base standard to commence FI training.
Your goal is certainly achievable I would just like to suggest that your budget should include that additional pre-course training. I recommend you start with an initial skills assessment by a senior instructor which will then allow you to create and cost a plan on how you are going to get from here to there.
I hope readers do not take my comments his as a slight to PPL pilots. It is simply a reflection of what I have seen. I should also note that despite the additional training they have received, most 200 hr CPL's are also not ready to start an FI course and require some level of remedial dual training to refine their handling skills.
Just picking up on BPF's very reasonable point.
Any of us who are, or want to be, instructors - it's a fair question: what do we have to offer?
Are you a high ability pilot? Do you have a lot of experience on unusual types? Have you a lot of experience doing adventurous PPL type flying? Did you ace you CPL with really accurate precise flying. Have you a massive passion for aviation you want to share?
There's got to be something, some good reason to instruct, some reason why you have it in you to really offer something to new or improving pilots?
Where does a 200hr PPL, fit in that? They may, but will have to be fairly exceptional.
G
Any of us who are, or want to be, instructors - it's a fair question: what do we have to offer?
Are you a high ability pilot? Do you have a lot of experience on unusual types? Have you a lot of experience doing adventurous PPL type flying? Did you ace you CPL with really accurate precise flying. Have you a massive passion for aviation you want to share?
There's got to be something, some good reason to instruct, some reason why you have it in you to really offer something to new or improving pilots?
Where does a 200hr PPL, fit in that? They may, but will have to be fairly exceptional.
G
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Leicester
Age: 49
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Big Pistons
Absolutely agree with you and with a little over 200 hours i don't deem myself ready to complete an FI course. Its just refreshing to know that it is achievable and in the not so far future.
Genghis
Again some sound advice. Be assured though wanting to instruct has nothing to do with not being able to make it as any other type of pilot. I'm fortunate to be able to continue private flying without the need to supplement income. For me its about the passion of flying and the challenges i am hoping instructing will afford me.
Thanks again for the replies and sound advice...it really is appreciated.
Absolutely agree with you and with a little over 200 hours i don't deem myself ready to complete an FI course. Its just refreshing to know that it is achievable and in the not so far future.
Genghis
Again some sound advice. Be assured though wanting to instruct has nothing to do with not being able to make it as any other type of pilot. I'm fortunate to be able to continue private flying without the need to supplement income. For me its about the passion of flying and the challenges i am hoping instructing will afford me.
Thanks again for the replies and sound advice...it really is appreciated.
Flipski
The foundation of good flying instruction demands 2 almost completely separate skills sets.
1) Above average flying skills so that you can effectively demonstrate a manoever, and then recognize when you see a skill error and most importantly be able to understand what actions/inactions of the student has caused it.
2) Be able to effectively teach the manoever you have just demonstrated in a way that allows the student to be able to fly the manoever themselves.
The PPL is not rocket science it is set of foundation flying skills which provide the basis for safe flying. You do not have to be a gazillion hour pilot to be a good instructor, but you do have to have the personal discipline to always demonstrate a high standard of personal airmanship and accurate and precise flying. This must be combined with a genuine desire to put the students interests above your own.
Unfortunately far to much basic flying instruction is carried out by instructors who are only interested in warming the right seat collecting PIC hours until they can get a "real" job
Therefor a PPL instructor who is only interested in passing on his passion for flying to a new generation of pilots, can be extremely effective. I just want to reiterate that there is a huge amount of hard work required for you to achieve your goal of a PPL FI. Every flight instructor I have taught has been shocked by how hard the course was.
The foundation of good flying instruction demands 2 almost completely separate skills sets.
1) Above average flying skills so that you can effectively demonstrate a manoever, and then recognize when you see a skill error and most importantly be able to understand what actions/inactions of the student has caused it.
2) Be able to effectively teach the manoever you have just demonstrated in a way that allows the student to be able to fly the manoever themselves.
The PPL is not rocket science it is set of foundation flying skills which provide the basis for safe flying. You do not have to be a gazillion hour pilot to be a good instructor, but you do have to have the personal discipline to always demonstrate a high standard of personal airmanship and accurate and precise flying. This must be combined with a genuine desire to put the students interests above your own.
Unfortunately far to much basic flying instruction is carried out by instructors who are only interested in warming the right seat collecting PIC hours until they can get a "real" job
Therefor a PPL instructor who is only interested in passing on his passion for flying to a new generation of pilots, can be extremely effective. I just want to reiterate that there is a huge amount of hard work required for you to achieve your goal of a PPL FI. Every flight instructor I have taught has been shocked by how hard the course was.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Leicester
Age: 49
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Big Pistons
Thanks again for the reply and once again I do agree with you. I appreciate the advice and hope to be ready for a FI course in the very near future. I feel very confident the reasons I want to become an instructor are the right reasons and are genuine. I can only hope my passion will eventually come to fruition in the cockpit and I can inspire the next generation of pilots.
Thanks again for the reply and once again I do agree with you. I appreciate the advice and hope to be ready for a FI course in the very near future. I feel very confident the reasons I want to become an instructor are the right reasons and are genuine. I can only hope my passion will eventually come to fruition in the cockpit and I can inspire the next generation of pilots.
