CFI Aeronautical Knowledge

FAR 61.185 — CFI Aeronautical Knowledge

FAR 61.185 sets the ground training topics required for a flight instructor certificate, including fundamentals of instructing and pilot knowledge areas.

In Plain English

FAR 61.185 lists the ground training topics you must receive and log from an authorized instructor before you can earn a flight instructor (CFI) certificate. The rule has two parts: what you must learn, and who gets a pass on the teaching-theory portion.

Applicants must receive ground training on:

Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) — the learning process, elements of effective teaching, student evaluation and testing, course development, lesson planning, and classroom training techniques.
The aeronautical knowledge areas for the recreational, private, and commercial certificates in the aircraft category you want to instruct in.
The instrument rating knowledge areas for the category, if you're seeking CFII privileges.

The FOI portion can be skipped if you already hold a flight or ground instructor certificate, hold a state-issued teacher's certificate valid for 7th grade or higher, or are employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.

This matters because a CFI is expected to teach every knowledge area a student pilot will be tested on — so you must master that material at a deeper, instructional level before signing off others.

Regulation Text

14 CFR § 61.185

§ 61.185 Aeronautical knowledge. (a) A person who is applying for a flight instructor certificate must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor on: (1) Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the fundamentals of instructing, including: (i) The learning process; (ii) Elements of effective teaching; (iii) Student evaluation and testing; (iv) Course development; (v) Lesson planning; and (vi) Classroom training techniques. (2) The aeronautical knowledge areas for a recreational, private, and commercial pilot certificate applicable to the aircraft category for which flight instructor privileges are sought; and (3) The aeronautical knowledge areas for the instrument rating applicable to the category for which instrument flight instructor privileges are sought. (b) The following applicants do not need to comply with paragraph (a)(1) of this section: (1) The holder of a flight instructor certificate or ground instructor certificate issued under this part; (2) The holder of a current teacher's certificate issued by a State, county, city, or municipality that authorizes the person to teach at an educational level of the 7th grade or higher; or (3) A person employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university. [Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40907, July 30, 1997]

Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask

Q1What aeronautical knowledge training does an applicant for a flight instructor certificate need?

Per FAR 61.185, the applicant must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor on the fundamentals of instructing, plus the aeronautical knowledge areas for the recreational, private, and commercial pilot certificates in the category sought — and instrument rating knowledge areas if pursuing CFII privileges.

Q2What are the fundamentals of instructing you had to study for your CFI?

FAR 61.185(a)(1) requires training on the learning process, elements of effective teaching, student evaluation and testing, course development, lesson planning, and classroom training techniques.

Q3Who is exempt from the fundamentals of instructing requirement?

Under FAR 61.185(b), the FOI requirement is waived for holders of a flight or ground instructor certificate, holders of a state/county/city teacher's certificate valid for 7th grade or higher, or persons employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.

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How to Become a Pilot

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Instrument Rating Requirements

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Related Sections in Part 61

§ 61.1

Part 61 Definitions