What is difference between FI(A) and FI Restricted
 

Im interested in doing my FI rating and want to know the difference between FI(A) and FI(R) --Not flight Information Region for all you clever cloggs ;)

An FI(A) is a flight instructor (aeroplanes) as opposed to FI(H) for hicopleters. The FI(R) is really an FI(A)(R) or an FI(H)(R) the (R) is for Restricted. On first qualification as an instructor you are restricted in your authority - you have to be supervised and you can't send some solos. It's probably all on the CAA SRG web site somewhere.

As an FI(R) You can not send students on their first solo or first solo x country. All flights must be authorised by an FI. To get the R removed you have to have 100 hrs instructing plus 25 supervised solo flights.

Thanks for that RichT just what I needed to know!