QFI Requirements
 

Hi,

This is my first post. I am a new member who has a question, and I figured this would be the best place to start.

I would like to know if anybody can help me.

I always wanted to be a pilot, but sadly got struck down with a hearing problem in my early teens so that dream could never be realised. However, recently some of my hearing has been restored. Sadly now at 31 and with a mortgage, I don't believe a Commercial Pilots License is achievable or viable.
So, my question is; would I be able to train as a QFI and teach others to gain there PPL? Is a QFI still subject to a class 1 CAA medical?
This is a new avenue I am persuing, so forgive any naivety I may have towards this.

Any help or recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

QFI is a military term, and a now outdated civil term.

You are aiming to be a Flight Instructor (restricted) FI(R); and ultimately an FI.

At present in order to be paid, you will need a commercial pilots licence (CPL), on to which you add an FI rating. A class 1 medical is required.

The requirements are here at this link in the CAA LASORS (Licensing, Administration and Standards) publication.

Specifically look at Section A General Information; Section D Commercial Pilots License; Section H, instructor ratings.

FI(r) and FI
 

You do not need a CPL to be a Flight Instructor. The FI can be attached to your PPL, CPL or ATPL, whatever. However, you cannot be paid unless you hold a commercial licence. You may instruct without payment while holding only a JAA/EASA Class 2 medical.

You may also wish to look at becoming an FI Microlites. You may instruct for payment on Microlites holding only a PPL and class 2 medical. Some of the types are hardly different and the pay is usually better as well!

Welcome to PPRUNE and back into the fold of aviation. There is legislation in the offing under the EASA take over of licensing whereby PPL's will be able to instruct other PPL's and get paid and not have to get a CPL. The current JAR requirement has been seen to be both unworkable and unnecessary and has led to a big instructor shortage. Under the proposed system an aspiring instructor would do a ground and flight course after achieving a minimum of P1 hours around 250 or so I think. I believe they would only need a Class 2 medical. It sounds like you may be in luck. I don't know when it comes into force, and I would suggest get in quick when it does because there will be a lot of pilots in similar circumstances who will be taking advantage of the change. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you find a nice club/school where you can inspire new pilots.