Flight Instructor Instrument

08 · CFII · ASEL

The FAA Certified Flight Instructor — Instrument rating. Add instrument students to your roster and teach the most demanding phase of every career-track pilot's training.

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3–4 wkTypical timeline
1Knowledge test
1DPE practical
0New hour minimums
08What it is

Teachthegauges.

The CFII is an add-on rating to your existing CFI certificate that authorizes you to provide instrument instruction — train pilots toward their Instrument Rating and endorse them for the IR practical.

PrivilegesWhat you can do

  • Give instrument flight instruction in single-engine airplanes
  • Give ground instruction for the Instrument Rating written
  • Endorse students for the Instrument Rating practical
  • Conduct instrument proficiency checks (IPCs)
  • Log instrument instruction given as PIC time

LimitationsAnd what you can't

  • Cannot give instrument instruction in multi-engine without MEI + appropriate ratings
  • Must maintain instrument currency to teach instrument approaches in IMC
  • Renewal cycle follows the underlying CFI certificate (every 24 months)
  • Requires a current CFI certificate to exercise privileges
  • Medical certificate must remain valid when acting as PIC
Prerequisites
  • Valid FAA CFI Certificate
  • FAA Instrument Rating (Airplane)
  • Pass the Flight Instructor Instrument (FII) knowledge test
  • Proficiency in instrument procedures from the right seat
Why Desert Wings

The case for training here.

Proven student success

Our students consistently pass their checkrides and achieve their aviation goals with confidence.

Gold Seal instruction

Learn from FAA-certified Gold Seal instructors with proven teaching methods and personalized attention.

Year-round flying

Train in Mesa, Arizona with ideal flying conditions and over 300 days of sunshine per year.

Flexible scheduling

Train at your own pace with scheduling options that fit your lifestyle and learning goals.

FAQ

Questions we hear a lot.

Do I need to add CFII right after my CFI?

No, but most career-track pilots do. Almost every flight school requires both CFI and CFII before they will hire you, because instrument students make up a large part of any school's workload.

How long does CFII training take?

Most CFIs add CFII in 3–4 weeks. If your instrument flying is sharp, it goes faster — most of the work is learning to teach approaches and holds from the right seat.

Are there new flight hour requirements?

No. CFII is an add-on to your existing CFI certificate. You need to pass the Flight Instructor Instrument (FII) knowledge test and a practical exam with a DPE — no additional total-time minimum beyond what your CFI and IR already required.

Will this make me more hireable?

Yes, significantly. A CFI who can also teach instrument students fills a flight school's schedule far more completely than one who cannot, so the CFII is effectively expected for full-time instructor roles.

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