Obtaining a UK FI ticket
 

Just a quick question to the examiners and experienced FI's amongst you. What is the best way to go about getting a light aircraft FI ticket? I have a CAA ATPL (currently on B747), and am qualified as an RAF QFI with 1500 instructional hours on Bulldogs. I have some spare time and feel it's time to give something back - if I'd be welcome and useful. Would you full-time FI's resent a heavy-metal driver 'muscling in' on your territory, or would you feel that my experience (about 9000 hours total)would be of value in the local flying club? Don't hold back!

Do sufficient training with an FIC instructor to pass the test. Most of the other instructors I know seem to have a part time job flying 747s as well.

I think that somebody with your experience
would be a great asset. Your previous training/experience as a CFS approved cat B would be taken into account in your FIC training and appropriate adjustments made.

Dont give up the day job though !
Instructing doesnt pay much

From my quick peruse of the JARs, I can't find any way of getting an instructor rating valid for use within the JAA without doing the whole instructor course ie about 30 hrs flying etc

I have 2300 or 2400 hrs instructing from ab to multi, IR, instructor & aero. I'd like a UK instructor rating but don't think I'll bother if I have to do a 30hr course before I can do the test!

Well I did a JAA instructor course and they exempted me from all the hours *I* felt appropriate on the strength of my Air Cadet insructor rating on motor glider issued by CGS. With your background you should naturally get the same plus a red carpet.

Talk to Timothy Denier at CAA HQ about it.

Cheers,

WWW

JAR-FCL 1.020 Credit for Military Service. If you have qualified as a Service QFI the Authority may give credit for knowledge experience and skill gained.

Thanks for all the replies, guys. Very encouraging. BTW, I'm not doing this for money! It seemed to me to be a bit daft to have all this instructional and other experience and not use it. You don't get much stick time in the 747 - even the Classic - and I'm not one of those who can feel sublimely confident in my flying skills if I don't use them. In other words, I need the practice!! Perhaps I'll see some of you at the Gatbash? We can discuss it further there.....

scroggs - presumably you fly for Sir Richard's finest airline? If so, speak to one of your training captains, Capt JH (he of the hairy chin and taste for MGs!). He runs FIC courses at an RAF Flying Club and can probably help you!

BEagle
yeas, good point. I was vaguely aware that he was involved in the Brize setup, but not in what capacity. Bit of a haul from darkest Essex, tho!