Outline:

1. Understanding the CFI Requirements

   • Eligibility per 61.183:

     • Must be at least 18 years old and English proficient.

     • Pass FOI (Fundamentals of Instruction) knowledge test unless a qualified teacher.

     • Pass FIA (Flight Instructor Airplane) knowledge test.

     • Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an Instrument Rating (unless Sport CFI).

     • Hold the appropriate Category/Class rating on your certificate.

     • Complete spin training and receive an endorsement.

2. Aeronautical Knowledge Requirements

   • 61.185(a)(1 and 2):

     • Must receive ground instruction from an authorized instructor.

     • Self-study is allowed but ground instruction cannot be skipped.

     • No home-study courses permitted for ground instruction sign-offs.

3. Flight Proficiency Requirements

   • Flight and Ground Training under 61.187:

     • Must demonstrate proficiency in the required flight maneuvers.

     • Ground training is essential and cannot be bypassed with self-study alone.

4. Authorized Instructor Qualifications

   • 61.195(h) sets requirements for instructors signing off CFI applicants:

     • Must have held a CFI for 24 months and given 200 hours of dual instruction, or

     • Recommended 5 applicants with 80% first-time pass rate, or

     • Graduated from a Part 141 Enhanced Instructor Program.

5. Where Most of the Time and Money Goes

   • Creating Your Own Lesson Plans:

     • Avoid starting from scratch; use pre-built professional lesson plans.

   • Flight Training:

     • Spin training and maneuver proficiency require dedicated flights.

   • Ground Training:

     • Deep instruction on FOI, Regulations, Endorsements, and Testing.

6. Self-Study Areas

   • Study what you already know (aeronautical knowledge).

   • Master FOI:

     • Understand both theory and application.

     • Focus on how each FOI chapter applies to real teaching.

     • Build your own FOI element index.

7. Mastering Endorsements and Regulations

   • Learn through scenarios not just reading rules.

   • Progress from simple endorsements (Flight Reviews, Complex/HP/Tailwheel) to complex (Student Pilots, 61.63 Additional Ratings).

8. Right Mindset

   • Don’t rush through the knowledge and flight instruction.

   • Save taking the Knowledge Tests (FOI and FIA) until training is complete.

   • Take practice exams cold to identify real deficiencies, then fix them.

9. Guided CFI Programs

   • Work with a guiding CFI remotely to create a plan personalized to your schedule, knowledge level, and goals.

   • Start studying after the plan is set to maximize efficiency.

10. Time Breakdown to Completion

    • ~80 hours of remote or classroom instruction.

    • ~40 hours of focused self-study.

    • ~15 hours of CFI ground from a highly experienced instructor.

    • ~10-15 hours of flight instruction (including spins).

    
    

What you can join for free.

• Bootcamp+ membership site - All power hours, tribal knowledge videos, and more.

• Preview our online course - On Demand

• Join our Power Hour live shows - Every Saturday

• Join our Newsletter list - At the bottom of the home page - Monthly -

• Join our Podcast “Flight Training the Way I See It” - Monthly

• Power Hour Outlines from Previous Shows and Resources - On Demand

What we offer for purchase.

• Online CFI, CFII, and MEI courses - Self-Paced.

• 7-Day Immersion Class - In person or remote - Every Month - Location Varies

• 3-Day CFII Class - In person or remote - Every two to three months - Location Varies.

• Weekend Mastery Class - Using technology/ForeFlight/Zoom together - Advanced Teaching techniques - Every quarter.

• Custom Training Products - Lesson Plans, Flow charts, FOI Roadmaps, etc. 

• Bootcamp+ membership site - All power hours, tribal knowledge videos, and more.

• Remote ground instruction - Send email to mike@cfibootcamp.com 

• Remote checkride preparation - Mock oral exams, etc., for all ratings - mike@cfibootcamp.com