Flight Instructor Rating (FIC)

Want to be paid for your GA flying? The Flight Instructor FI(R) rating allows you to instruct students training for a PPL. Once obtained it opens the door to further flight instructor ratings allowing you to teach beyond the PPL for courses such as CPL/MEP and IR to list a few.

FIC students who train at Redhill or Shoreham Aviation will be offered an interview at the end of their course to instruct with us. A job will be offered depending on this interview and competency displayed during the Flight Instructor training.

Course Aim

The FI course is designed to train a pilot to be an instructor capable of teaching a person to qualify for issue of a Private Pilot’s Licence. Different to other courses, you will already know how to fly the aircraft, the FIC is about giving you the tools to train aspiring pilots how to fly.

Pre-entry Requirements

Part-FCL 915 FI and 930 FI state pre-entry requirements to commence an approved course of training for the issue of an Part-FCL Flight Instructor (FI) rating.

Applicants need to hold a valid UK or Part-FCL aeroplane pilot’s licence which includes a valid single engine piston (land) class or single engine type or TMG rating.

To meet the pre-entry requirements applicants must hold a CPL licence or alternatively it is possible holding only a PPL providing they satisfy the below requirements:

PPL(A) Holder – Flight Instructor Pre-entry requirements:
Total Hours200 hours Total, 150 PIC
Hours on SEP30 Hours on SEP with 5 Hours in the past 6 months before pre-entry test
Instrument Hours10 Hours instrument flight instruction, 5 of which may be in FSTD
Cross Country Hours20 hours VFR cross country as PIC and CPL cross country
Theoretical Knowledge (Optional)For a PPL instructor – Have completed and passed ATPL or CPL exams.

Alternatively an FI(R) who has not completed the ATPL or CPL exams can instruct non-abinitio courses and LAPL (importantly however not PPL).
  • Prior to commencing the flight instructors course, students must complete a pre-entry flight test with an FIE or FIC. The flight test will be based on the PPL Skill Test and will assess the ability of the applicant to undertake the course. 

Course Content

  • 125 hours ground instruction.
  • 30 hours (minimum) flight instruction comprising not less than 25 hours dual and a maximum of 5 hours teaching practice with another FIC student.

Our flight instructor course is normally carried out on a Cessna 152, the Piper PA28 may also be used. However, spinning will require the use of the C152.

Thanks to the flexibilty of our two FIC instructors & FI Examiners course times and frequencies can be arranged to suit your needs.

Cost of obtaining the Flight Instructor Rating / FIC Pricing

We charge based on only the flying hours. The ground instruction and briefing required is included in this rate, so you do not need to pay for ground school additionally.

Training Package – Discounted Rates

  • Based on minimum flight hours at discounted rate, inclusive of VAT.
  • The full budget is an estimate including: Pre-entry flight test, flight training, landing and circuit fees, yearly membership, final skills test and associated examiner fees.
  • The discounted rate is available by payment of the package costs in two equal installments.
Cessna 152 PA28-161 WarriorPA28-181 Archer PA28-200 Arrow 
FI (R) Rating (Flight training only)£7,980.00£POA£POA£POA
FI (R) Rating Full Budget£9,534.00£POA£POA£POA
Please note: The full budget for the FI course is an estimate.

Getting Started

As with all other courses, feel free to contact us should you have any questions, or better still arrange a visit to speak to a senior instructor to discuss your flying needs. We’re open 7 days a week, the number for operations is 01737 822959.

Our two FIC Instructors and examiners are Jill Develin and Islam who will be able to discuss the course, answer any questions regarding course content and arrange a date to start the flight instructor training:

Jill Develin:
E: JillSDevelin@aol.com
M: 07788 713291

Z Islam:
E: islamredhill@aol.com
M: 07803 755560


Further Instructor Courses

After you have had your FI restriction removed, we can also offer the following FI courses: 

  • Night Instructor Course
  • Aerobatics Instructor Course
  • Multi-engine piston Instructor Course (MEP)
  • Class Rating Instructor (CRI) (both multi-engine and single engine) 
  • Instrument Rating Instructor (IRI)
  • FIC Instructor

Night Instructor Rating

Pre-Course Requirements

Hold an FI (R) or an FI rating with a night qualification.

Course Content

  • 1 hour flying
  • 2 hours ground studies

IR(R)/IMC Instructor Rating

Pre-Course Requirements

  1. Hold a valid IR(R) and an unrestricted FI rating;
  2. Completed at least 10 hours flight time by sole reference to instruments in an aeroplane, Full Flight simulator, Flight Training Device (FTD) 2/3 or Flight Navigation Procedure Trainer (FNPT)II.

Course Content

  • Comprises at least 5 hours of flight instruction in an aeroplane with an IRI and has passed the Assessment of Competence
  • Training can be carried out in a PA28 or a C152

Multi-Engine Piston Instructor Rating

Pre-Course Requirements

  1. Hold a valid single pilot Multi-Engine Piston (Land) Class or Type Rating;
  2. To have completed 30 hours as Pilot in Command on an applicable type or class of aeroplane
  3. To qualify for issue of the CRI M/E rating, you must have at least 500 hours flight time as a pilot of aeroplanes.

Course Content

  • A minimum of 5 hours flight instruction
  • 10 hours ground instruction for an FI(A)

Aerobatics Instructor Rating

Pre-Course Requirements

  1. Hold an UK CAA Part FCL Aerobatic Rating;
  2. Hold a valid FI (A) or CRI (A) rating, or completed the basic flying instructor course.

Course Content

Part FCL 905.FI does not specify a course to gain an aerobatic instructor rating. It only requires an assessment of a candidate’s competence by an FIE. Assessment of whether training in aerobatic instruction is necessary before a pilot undergoes a flight assessmetnt is a matter of judgement by the Head of Training. Any such requirement is unlikely to exceed the previous LASORS requirement of five hours flying and eight hours ground instruction. 

FIC Instructor Rating

See CAA Standards Document 10, Appendix 2.

Pre-Course Requirements

500 flying hours’ instructional experience.

Course Aim

To train an FI to enable them to train Flight Instructors.

Course Content

  • 2 hours flying
  • 20 hours ground studies
  • Depending upon experience, ground study may be less than 25 hours

Contact

Jill Develin:
E: JillSDevelin@aol.com
M: 07788 713291

Z Islam:
E: islamredhill@aol.com
M: 07803 755560