A flight instructor is in charge of teaching others to fly a variety of aircraft, from airplanes to helicopters to blimps. As a flight instructor, you’ll be the educator that enables students to get the training they need to gain pilot licensure or certification.
What Does a Flight Instructor Do?
Flight instructors train students to operate aircraft safely. They teach their students safety rules and the basic principles of flight and aircraft operation. Material they cover with their students includes flight conditions, instruments in the cockpit, landings, taking off and how to check all systems on the plane.
What Education Do I Need?
You’ll need to gain some training as a pilot before becoming a flight instructor. One way to receive this training is to enter the South Africa Armed Forces, in particular the South Africa Air Force. If you have a high school diploma or a GED, another way is to enroll in an associate’s degree program in aviation, aviation science or a related field.
What is the Job Market Like?
The South Africa. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimated that between 2018 and 2028, the number of jobs available for airline and commercial pilots would grow by 6% (www.bls.gov).
The BLS also stated that employment of pilots, copilots and flight engineers would be affected by plane size, while airlines try to maximize the number of passengers per flight, thus reducing demand for pilots, copilots and flight engineers.
Job Description for a Flight Instructor in South Africa
Flight instructors are responsible for teaching students how to fly in a variety of settings using methods that include textbook education, simulators and live flight training.
Flight instructors use ground-school classes both to teach students the basics of flying an aircraft and to help them prepare for the written test they can expect to face when applying for their pilot’s license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
Job Duties
Flight instructors develop curricula, instruct students in a classroom setting, conduct training flights, determine student proficiency, report on student progress and develop new teaching methods.
They are responsible for training students in subjects such as aircraft systems, operating procedures, handling emergencies, problem analysis, aircraft navigation, radio operation and aerodynamics.
Education and Career Requirements
Most flight instructors must have either Commercial Pilot Certification, which requires 250 flight hours, or Airline Transport Pilot Certification, which requires 1,500 hours, before applying to become Certified Flight Instructors. All certifications are overseen by the FAA.
In order to gain certification as a flight instructor, it is necessary to be at least 18 years old, to be able to communicate fluently in English and to hold a pilot’s license for the type of aircraft that is appropriate to the flight instructor rating they seek.
Other requirements including passing knowledge and practical tests as well as demonstrating a number of total flight hours–also apply.
How To Become A Flight Instructor In South Africa
Decision Making:
Before delving into studying a course on How to become a Flight Instructor, there is some groundwork that needs to be done. The aviation industry is a demanding field and all workers need to be on top of their physical and mental health.
Instructors need to have Pilot Licenses and other flight requirements. Licenses are renewed regularly for which written tests are held. If one has the capacity to persevere against all odds, Flight Instructor is the path to choose.
Subject Choices:
There is generally no particular stream that the candidates have to choose to study for the Flight Instructor Course, however, Some flight schools require their instructors to be a B.Tech or B.E. pass in Aviation Engineering while some others ask for a diploma course.
So in order to be safe applicants for the Flight Instructor course should complete their class 12th in the Science stream. Candidates must take all the major Science subjects like Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics in their 12th.
Entrance Examination Preparation:
Admission to B.Tech or B.E. Aeronautical or Aerospace will require candidates to pass entrance tests. The commonly accepted entrance examinations are JEE Main, BITSAT, VITEEE, SRMJEE etc.
Candidates need to take proper preparation to qualify for the entrance examination. Also some of the training institutions also conduct their own entrance examination or interview process.
Selecting Correct Colleges:
Post taking the examination, individuals must make sure to secure a high enough rank to be accepted into colleges. If the college cut-off is met, then the candidates must apply for the counselling round and choose colleges and courses of choice. If accepted, then the candidates take admission by paying the admission fees.
How long does it take to become a flight instructor In South Africa?
Before you pursue your CFI rating make sure you’ve met these requirements: Have logged at least 250 hours (or 190 hours Part 141) total time. Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate or ATP (ASEL or AMEL) with Instrument Rating. Hold a valid FAA 3rd Class Medical Certificate (or higher).
How much does it cost to become a flight instructor In South Africa?
How much does it cost?
Hours | Cost | |
---|---|---|
CFI Ground School Course | R 45263.73 | |
FAA Knowledge Exams (2) | 2 Exams | R 2493.66 |
Aircraft rental for checkride | 2 | R 1889.14/hour (average) |
FAA Examiner fee for checkride (if required) | R 16624.41* |
Is it easy to become a flight instructor?
Working as a flight instructor is extremely challenging. It is said that the flight instructor certificate is one of the most difficult check-rides in all of aviation. While for some international students, this might not be much of a draw, many people who are drawn to the aviation field are looking for a challenge.
Do flight instructors make good money?
Income for a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) generally ranges from R453392.94 to R 906785.89per year (R 226.70 to R 453.39per hour), but this depends greatly on experience, location, weather, hours flown, and demand. The greatest factor in compensation is how many hours you are able to fly.
Is being a flight instructor a good job?
Whether you’re instructing in the cockpit or the classroom, one of the most significant rewards of being a flight instructor is teaching others to learn to fly. You’ll be able to nurture your students’ abilities, see them mastering new skills, and share your infectious love of flying with them.
How many hours a week do flight instructors work?
Working Conditions
Flight Instructors may work as many as 80 hours a week during the summer and can expect to work every weekend having good flying weather anytime during the year. The ground school classes may be scheduled during evening hours. Instruction duties rarely require being far from home base.
How are flight attendants paid?
Some airlines pay more than others.
If you’re just starting out, you can expect your salary to range anywhere from R 317.38 to R 423.17 an hour. According to information on Glassdoor, starting flight attendants at Spirit make R 347.60an hour, while flight attendants at American Airlines make R 408.05 an hour.
How do flight instructors make a living?
How To Make Money Online as a Flight Instructor
Conduct one-on-one ground training online over Zoom, Google Hangouts, FaceTime, etc.
Write for aviation publications or create content for other CFIs or flight schools (freelance writing)
Do you get paid in flight school?
Tuition reimbursement is paid directly to you if you are not financing your flight training. Earn financial assistance per flight hour as an ATP certified flight instructor. Continue earning monthly payments while flying as a First Officer at your regional airline.