Shaking the Rust Off a CFI Ticket

It's that returning to the right seat state of mind.

Meg Godlewski

Monday, February 03, 2025 at 09:16 AM ET

Verified

There is a lot to consider when a person returns to the CFI world. [Courtesy: Meg Godlewski]

Key Takeaways:

Returning CFIs must adapt to administrative changes, including using "learners" instead of "students," understanding TSA endorsement requirements, and navigating the new two-certificate system for student pilots.
Modern flight instruction requires proficiency in advanced avionics and navigation technology, such as glass cockpits, comprehensive GPS usage, ADS-B for situational awareness, and the integration of electronic flight bags.
Instructors should balance teaching new technologies with foundational skills, ensuring learners are proficient with both digital and paper charts, understand autopilot functionality and limitations, and maintain their own instrument flying proficiency.

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The nice thing about the flying hours logged in aviation is that they don’t expire. Those hours on your logbook don’t magically disappear if you decide to hang up your wings for a bit—even if they are instructor wings and one day you decide to get back into the cockpit on the right side and teach again.

It will take time, however. It has been my privilege to help lapsed CFIs regain their skills and add some new ones, thus enabling them to teach again.