CFI Flight Proficiency

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.

In Plain English

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.

Regulation Text
14 CFR § 61.187
§ 61.187 Flight proficiency. (a)A person who is applying for a flight instructor certificate must receive and log flight and ground training from an authorized instructor on the areas of operation listed in this section that apply to the flight instructor rating sought. The applicant's logbook must contain an endorsement from an authorized instructor certifying that the person is proficient to pass a practical test on those areas of operation. (b)(1) For an airplane category rating with a single-engine class rating: (i) Fundamentals of instructing; (ii) Technical subject areas; (iii) Preflight preparation; (iv) Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight; (v) Preflight procedures; (vi) Airport and seaplane base operations; (vii) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds; (viii) Fundamentals of flight; (ix) Performance maneuvers; (x) Ground reference maneuvers; (xi) Slow flight, stalls, and spins; (xii) Basic instrument maneuvers; (xiii) Emergency operations; and (xiv) Postflight procedures. (2) For an airplane category rating with a multiengine class rating: (i) Fundamentals of instructing; (ii) Technical subject areas; (iii) Preflight preparation; (iv) Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight; (v) Preflight procedures; (vi) Airport and seaplane base operations; (vii) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds; (viii) Fundamentals of flight; (ix) Performance maneuvers; (x) Ground reference maneuvers; (xi) Slow flight and stalls; (xii) Basic instrument maneuvers; (xiii) Emergency operations; (xiv) Multiengine operations; and (xv) Postflight procedures. (3) For a rotorcraft category rating with a helicopter class rating: (i) Fundamentals of instructing; (ii) Technical subject areas; (iii) Preflight preparation; (iv) Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight; (v) Preflight procedures; (vi) Airport and heliport operations; (vii) Hovering maneuvers; (viii) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds; (ix) Fundamentals of flight; (x) Performance maneuvers; (xi) Emergency operations; (xii) Special operations; and (xiii) Postflight procedures. (4) For a rotorcraft category rating with a gyroplane class rating: (i) Fundamentals of instructing; (ii) Technical subject areas; (iii) Preflight preparation; (iv) Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight; (v) Preflight procedures; (vi) Airport operations; (vii) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds; (viii) Fundamentals of flight; (ix) Performance maneuvers; (x) Flight at slow airspeeds; (xi) Ground reference maneuvers; (xii) Emergency operations; and (xiii) Postflight procedures. (5) For a powered-lift category rating: (i) Fundamentals of instructing; (ii) Technical subject areas; (iii) Preflight preparation; (iv) Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight; (v) Preflight procedures; (vi) Airport and heliport operations; (vii) Hovering maneuvers; (viii) Takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds; (ix) Fundamentals of flight; (x) Performance maneuvers; (xi) Ground reference maneuvers; (xii) Slow flight and stalls; (xiii) Basic instrument maneuvers; (xiv) Emergency operations; (xv) Special operations; and (xvi) Postflight procedures. (6) For a glider category rating: (i) Fundamentals of instructing; (ii) Technical subject areas; (iii) Preflight preparation; (iv) Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight; (v) Preflight procedures; (vi) Airport and gliderport operations; (vii) Launches and landings; (viii) Fundamentals of flight; (ix) Performance speeds; (x) Soaring techniques; (xi) Performance maneuvers; (xii) Slow flight, stalls, and spins; (xiii) Emergency operations; and (xiv) Postflight procedures. (7) For an instrument rating with the appropriate aircraft category and class rating: (i) Fundamentals of instructing; (ii) Technical subject areas; (iii) Preflight preparation; (iv) Preflight lesson on a maneuver to be performed in flight; (v) Air traffic control clearances and procedures; (vi) Flight by reference to instruments; (vii) Navigation aids; (viii) Instrument approach procedures; (ix) Emergency operations; and (x) Postflight procedures. (c) The flight training required by this section may be accomplished: (1) In an aircraft that is representative of the category and class of aircraft for the rating sought; or (2) In a flight simulator or flight training device representative of the category and class of aircraft for the rating sought, and used in accordance with an approved course at a training center certificated under part 142 of this chapter. [Docket 25910, 62 FR 16298, Apr. 4, 1997; Amdt. 61-103, 62 FR 40907, July 30, 1997; Amdt. 61-124, 74 FR 42561, Aug. 21, 2009]
Oral Exam Questions a DPE Might Ask
Q1What must your logbook show before you can take the CFI practical test for an airplane single-engine rating?
Per FAR 61.187, my logbook must show flight and ground training from an authorized instructor in every area of operation listed for the rating, plus an endorsement from that instructor certifying I'm proficient to pass the practical test.
Q2Name several areas of operation required for a CFI applicant seeking an airplane single-engine rating.
FAR 61.187(b)(1) requires fundamentals of instructing; technical subject areas; preflight preparation and lesson; preflight procedures; airport operations; takeoffs, landings, and go-arounds; fundamentals of flight; performance and ground reference maneuvers; slow flight, stalls, and spins; basic instrument maneuvers; emergency operations; and postflight procedures.
Q3Can any of the CFI flight proficiency training be completed in a simulator?
Yes. FAR 61.187(c) allows the flight training to be done in an aircraft representative of the category and class, or in a flight simulator or FTD representative of that category and class when used under an approved course at a Part 142 training center.
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FAR 61.187 — Flight Instructor Flight Proficiency