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So, You’re An Instructor…

The regulations only talk about a flight instructor certificate, yet no one says they are an FI. They state they are a CFI. Where did this C come from? What does it stand for?

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The "C" in "CFI" is not explicitly found in regulations, which refer to a "flight instructor certificate," leading to questions about its origin and meaning.
  • Aviation instruction is broad, and not all flight instruction requires a CFI, as others like ATPs or check airmen can provide instruction under specific conditions.
  • The "C" historically stood for "certificated," but the FAA has recently shifted to "certified" due to linguistic trends, despite "certificated" being arguably more accurate for a certificate holder.
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The regulations only talk about a flight instructor certificate, yet no one says they are an “FI.” They state they are a “CFI.” Where did this “C” come from? What does it stand for?

The FAA often writes of instructors and flight instructors, dropping the C for good reason. Instruction in aviation covers many disciplines, from flying airplanes to maintaining them, and even packing parachutes. Generally knowledge about instruction, like that contained in the Aviation Instructor’s Handbook, is not flying-specific.

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