FAR 61.187 — CFI Flight Proficiency
FAR 61.187 lists the areas of operation a CFI applicant must train and be endorsed on for each category and class rating. Read the full breakdown.
FAR 61.187 sets the flight proficiency requirements for anyone seeking a flight instructor certificate. You must receive and log both flight and ground training from an authorized instructor in every area of operation that applies to the rating you want, and your logbook must carry an endorsement stating you're proficient to pass the practical test.
The regulation lists distinct areas of operation for each rating. Common to nearly every CFI rating are:
- Fundamentals of instructing
- Technical subject areas
- Preflight preparation and a preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight
- Preflight procedures
- Airport (or heliport/seaplane base/gliderport) operations
- Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds (or launches and landings for gliders)
- Fundamentals of flight, performance maneuvers, and emergency operations
- Postflight procedures
Rating-specific items add things like spins (single-engine airplane and glider), multiengine operations, hovering (helicopter and powered-lift), soaring techniques (glider), and instrument approach procedures (CFII).
Why it matters: as a CFI you'll train students to the ACS standards, so you must demonstrate mastery — not just competence — in every applicable task. The training may be done in an aircraft representative of the category and class, or in a simulator/FTD used under an approved Part 142 course.