FAA Instrument Flight Instructor (FII)Instrument RegulationsMedium
A newly certificated flight instructor wants to provide instrument training in airplanes to satisfy the requirements of 61.65(d) for an instrument rating applicant. According to 14 CFR 61.195(c), what minimum flight experience must this instructor have logged?
- A200 hours as pilot in command, at least 100 of which in airplanes
- B1,000 hours of cross-country flight time as pilot in command
- C100 hours total time, 50 of which in airplanes
- D500 hours total time as pilot in command in any category
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. 200 hours as pilot in command, at least 100 of which in airplanes
14 CFR 61.195(c) requires a flight instructor providing instrument training for an instrument rating, or to satisfy 61.65(d), to have logged at least 200 hours as pilot in command, with at least 100 of those hours in an airplane if instructing in that category. The other totals are fabricated and do not match the regulation.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Cross-country time is not the specific measure used in this rule.
- C. Understates both the total and category-specific PIC requirement.
- D. Overstates the requirement; no category breakdown given.
CFII Experience Requirement (61.195(c))
A flight instructor providing instrument training toward a rating must have logged at least 200 hours PIC, with at least 100 hours in the relevant category.
- Applies to instrument training for a rating or 61.65(d) cross-country
- 200 hours total PIC minimum
- At least 100 hours must be in airplane (if teaching airplane instrument)
- Or in helicopter if teaching helicopter instrument
Memory trick: '200 total, 100 in type' — the CFII must earn their stripes first.