If you want to share the gift of flight, then we welcome you to this guide! Read below to learn more about how you can evolve from a PPL student to a flight instructor and help shape the aviation industry of tomorrow.
For PPL pilots that have achieved great heights (pun intended), there is only one route to go, if they do not want to upgrade their private licence to a commercial licence: become an instructor.
Flight instructors are the backbone of the modern aviation industry. They are tasked with training the next generation of pilots and without good instructors, the world can never be blessed with skilled pilots.
Pilots are responsible for making smart decisions while in the air. Things like aerial emergencies, especially in the case of commercial flights can have profound consequences if they are not dealt with quickly.
This is where trained pilots come in. A good pilot can not only navigate the skies safely, but they can also reduce the risk associated with air-related emergencies.
This is why instructors play a vital role in building intuition and helping pilots become the best at what they do.
If you want to share the gift of flight, then we welcome you to this guide! Read below to learn more about how you can evolve from a PPL student to a flight instructor and help shape the aviation industry of tomorrow.
CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS (CFI)
Becoming a flight instructor isn’t as easy as you may think, even if you have a private pilot licence. The training requires pilots to be at the top of their game and above everything else, be highly experienced.
However, regardless of its difficulty, becoming a certified flight instructor is perhaps one of the most rewarding jobs that one can have. The pilots that you teach today will remember you for the rest of their lives and you will be highly esteemed in the aviation community in general!
But instructors don’t teach because they are looking for an ego boost or validation. If you talk to any instructor, they will say that their primary motivation for teaching people how to fly is because they are highly passionate about aviation.
This passion drives them to not only keep going but also train next-generation pilots to be the very best and even exceed the prowess of their instructors in their aviation journey.
BECOMING A CFI
The first step in becoming a flight instructor is to have a track record of successful flights and a lot of experience. This is why only the very best pilots become capable flight instructors and many flight schools actively search for highly experienced flight instructors to teach at their school.
CFIs cover several different aspects of training, from imparting important theory to helping a beginner pilot build confidence in the sky.
Here are some of the most important responsibilities of a CFI:
Ground Training
Theoretical concepts form a strong foundation that allows pilots to test out theories in the real world and safely apply them in various ways.
CFIs focus on ground training where they teach pilots about the various variables that they may face in the sky. This foundational theory helps students understand the basics of meteorology, navigation, aerodynamics and much more. This ground training goes towards a candidate’s preparation for aviation exams. Students take on 9 different subjects and are required to secure a minimum of 75% score to qualify for a pilot licence.
Simulator Training/Advanced Training
CFIs are highly competent in training students using a variety of facilities, including simulator training.
CFIs that started from PPL students to flight instructors usually have a wide grasp on every type of pilot training. This includes simulation training for commercial activities. Simulation training is reserved for pilots who want to obtain a commercial licence.
A CFI can help pilots perfect their skills via a simulator, which trains them in the basics of flying before taking off in an actual aircraft. The simulator also allows the CFI to teach their students how to handle risky situations. CFIs are highly trained in all aspects of flight, so even if someone starts with a PPL licence, they can take on additional certifications to master the art of flight on all levels.
Comprehensive flight schools, like Sherburn Aero Club, have a dedicated flight simulator, known as the G-SIMM, which helps prepare both beginner pilots for maiden flights, as well as more experienced pilots hoping to brush up their skills. This type of training can not only help in building intuition during emergencies but can also help pilots eliminate risks during high-stakes flights.
Practical Training
Practical training is why CFIs are so coveted in the aviation industry. Since aviation is an experienced-based industry, pilots can benefit a lot by learning from the best! Most of the initial flight training is undertaken in dual-instruction mode, which means that you will fly along with an instructor – just as a driving instructor would when learning how to drive a car.
Once the pilot has gained the required experience, they are allowed to fly solo. CFIs are tasked with helping ease a beginner pilot’s mind and teaching them how to have a smooth flight.
Being a Source of Motivation
CFIs are single-handedly responsible for keeping pilots motivated. Flight training can be tough and time-consuming. However, with a good CFI behind the wheel, beginners can find pilot training to be fun and engaging. While most enthusiastic and passionate students might not need additional motivation, some students, especially the ones who struggle during training can find flight instructors to be a vital source of motivation!
CFIs also have the role of making aviation a welcoming activity for everyone. A great teacher nurtures students in a way where they can grow consistently. Some instructors may demand greatness from the get-go, but the best instructors take their time with students and recognise their potential.
These types of CFIs are more likely to produce highly capable pilots who can not only carry forward the training but also the professionalism, kindness and empathy of their instructors.
PPL STUDENT TO FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR
Now that you know the role of CFIs in the aviation community, let’s look at how you can evolve from a PPL student to a certified flight instructor.
First of all, if you hold a Private Pilot Licence (PPL) or any other recreational license, you are ineligible to work as a CFI.
To become a CFI, a Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL) is mandatory. Why? Well, as mentioned above, CFIs need to be at the top of their game and master the art of flight on all levels.
A PPL is great for realising one’s dream of flying, but outside of recreational aerial activities, this type of licence does not provide the full level of training that commercial pilots receive.
A commercial licence allows pilots to fly in exchange for monetary compensation and it has more stringent requirements as compared to the PPL. This type of licence is also well-suited for people who are looking to build an aviation career.
To put the training into perspective, the PPL only requires a total of 45 hours of flight time, while the CPL requires 200!
This jump in flight hours is necessary to not only master flight but to also build the required experience for handling larger aircraft that carry people and cargo.
Out of these 200 hours, 100 must be spent in command of an aircraft, with the others being completed via dual instruction with a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). These extra flight hours may seem tedious, but for passionate pilots, it can be easy and a whole lot of fun!
Furthermore, this additional training is necessary if a pilot wishes to refine their skills to teach others. Just like the PPL, a CPL pilot must also pass all the theory exams, which have even more in-depth subjects compared to a PPL.
CPL pilots must also secure a Class 1 medical certificate, which ensures that an individual is fit to fly without becoming a threat to themselves or others. PPL pilots are given a Class 2 medical certificate that has relatively relaxed requirements.
So, all in all, if you wish to transition from a PPL student to a flight instructor, you will have to fully commit and train to become the best at what you do!
ACQUIRING ADDITIONAL RATINGS
A PPL pilot is allowed to professionally fly a single-engine aeroplane such as the light aircraft available in Sherburn’s fleet. However, if you wish to fly larger aeroplanes or those with more advanced controls, then additional ratings are needed. A CFI may be qualified to teach on only one type of aeroplane or multiple types depending on the number of ratings they have on their licence. So, the more diverse your training is, the more capable of an instructor you will become.
Additional ratings such as an Instrument rating and Night Rating are also necessary for a CFI, as many students wish to learn how to fly after dark or fly without depending on visibility. These certifications allow pilots to overcome VFR restrictions and fly unimpeded in various low-visibility or weather conditions.
BECOMING A CAPABLE CFI
Here are some of the skills that every aspiring CFI needs to have to become one of the best:
Patience
Patience is a life skill that everyone must have. It can not only help pilots face adversity, but it can also enable CFIs to train struggling pilots. An irritable and easily angered CFI will not be able to provide an environment that is conducive to learning.
The key to understanding here is that everyone starts from zero! So new students are bound to make errors – and that is good, so long as these errors don’t endanger lives. By making mistakes, people learn and without patience, CFIs can’t help students evolve and grow professionally.
Clear communication
Using active listening and communicating well is not only a requirement but it should be seen as a necessity. Communication is one of the foundations of aviation and without effective communication, pilots can end up being confused. CFIs must have the ability to give instructions as efficiently as possible.
A CFI who quickly goes over important information, does not give full instructions, or uses far too difficult jargon will not be able to help train new students effectively.
CFIs must also be able to handle stress extremely well. In the aviation industry, every minute and every word spoken during an emergency can make a difference, which is why CFIs need to learn how to master stressful situations and transfer these skills to pilots.
Empathy and Honesty
Great instructors have one thing in common: they are kind but honest. CFIs that practice empathy and honesty can help students reach their full potential.
CFIs must learn when to be empathetic and how not to give beginners false confidence.
If a pilot is lacking in their theory or practical concepts, it must be communicated to them so that they can work on rectifying their mistakes. If students struggle with a particular concept, CFIs must use empathy and communication to understand where the pilot is facing issues and then come up with strategies to help them overcome training obstacles.
SHERBURN’S TEAM OF CERTIFIED FLIGHT INSTRUCTORS
If you are someone who just wishes to have a look around and get a feel of the place, or perhaps experience your first flight, then the airfield team, which includes our highly-qualified CFIs as well as ground crew, would be happy to cater to your needs.
Sherburn has a total of 13 CFIs on board, all of whom are eager to help you get ahead in your aviation career.
Our team of flight instructors includes Alastair Breckon, Chris Herd, Don Paxton, Glenn Moody, James Fletcher, Jason Gilmour, Louis Rehor, Pete Barber, Peter Atkinson, Salvador Moya, Steve Fletcher, Steve Osborne, and Vernon Guppy.
At Sherburn, flight instructors charge an hourly rate, with one hour of standard instruction costing 44 GBP, while more complex training, such as that involved in acquiring Night and Instrument Ratings is around 46 GBP.
Apart from this, aircraft are also available for hire at an hourly rate. To fly the Piper PA-28 Cadet and Warrior, the prices per hour are 198 GBP and 208 GBP respectively. The pocket-friendly options, Cessna C150 and 152 Aerobat, have a rate per hour of 158 GBP and 168 GBP respectively.
WHY CHOOSE SHERBURN AERO CLUB
Sherburn Aero Club, which has been operational since 1964, is the ideal place for most of your training and flying needs. It is one of the largest flying clubs in the North of England and also one of the largest in the country.
For those who wish to experience the thrill of a flight for fun or to help fuel their aviation dreams, Sherburn offers experience flights for the newbie, as well as the veteran in various types of light aircraft.
The flight experience option is also available for people who wish to take to the skies for special occasions, even if they aren’t into aviation in the long run.
If you wish to begin your career in aviation or wish to take to the skies as a hobby, Sherburn’s flight training school offers private and commercial licences, along with pilot medicals to ensure a smooth journey going forward.
With a large fleet of new aircraft and an airfield refurbishment with new runways, hangars, and an extended clubhouse, we cater to brand-new flyers who have just started their journey to the skies, as well as seasoned flyers who have been operating aircraft for decades.
Sherburn offers a dedicated day-long Flight Radiotelephony Operator’s Licence (FRTOL) course for those wishing to get the certification, running the first Sunday of every month.
In addition to that, if you are looking for a hangarage for your own aircraft, need servicing or repairs, want to buy a new aircraft or aviation equipment, or are just looking to enjoy and watch the aircraft, Sherburn Aero Club is the place to be.
Call us at 01977 682 674, email us at flightdesk@sherburnaeroclub.com, or message us via our online contact form for more information on light aircraft, training requirements, licencing procedures, and how to become a certified flight instructor!
Photo by Marcelo Irigoyen on Unsplash
