A flight instructor holds a CFI certificate with an airplane single-engine rating but does not hold an airplane multiengine rating on that certificate. A friend asks the instructor to provide flight training toward an airplane multiengine rating. According to 14 CFR 61.195(a), may the instructor conduct this training?
- ANo, a flight instructor may not conduct training in any aircraft for which the instructor does not hold the appropriate category and class rating on the flight instructor certificate
- BYes, because a flight instructor certificate authorizes training in any category and class of airplane
- CNo, unless the instructor also holds a commercial pilot certificate with a multiengine rating, regardless of CFI ratings held
- DYes, provided the instructor first logs at least 5 hours of PIC time in a multiengine airplane
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. No, a flight instructor may not conduct training in any aircraft for which the instructor does not hold the appropriate category and class rating on the flight instructor certificate
14 CFR 61.195(a) limits a flight instructor's training privileges to the aircraft category and class ratings held on the flight instructor certificate itself. Holding a commercial pilot multiengine rating without the corresponding CFI multiengine rating does not authorize the instructor to give multiengine flight instruction.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. CFI privileges are limited to the specific ratings held, not unlimited across categories/classes.
- C. The relevant qualification is the CFI certificate rating, not the underlying pilot certificate rating.
- D. Logging PIC hours does not substitute for the required CFI rating.
CFI Training Privilege Limits (61.195(a))
A flight instructor may only provide flight training in an aircraft for which they hold the appropriate category and class rating on their flight instructor certificate.
- CFI ratings must match the aircraft category/class being taught
- Underlying pilot certificate ratings do not substitute for CFI ratings
- Applies to initial and additional CFI ratings alike
Memory trick: Your CFI certificate only teaches what it's rated to teach.