How do I become a ground instructor?
Rob wrote me and asked, in essense, “What do I have to do to become a ground instructor?”
Maybe it’s the economy and people are looking to utilize their skills sets but I am glad that so many people are thinking about instructing! Whether it is ground or flight instruction, general aviation needs you!
First off, there are three levels of a ground instructor certificate. (You can reference 14 CFR 61.215)
1) Basic (BGI)- A basic ground instructor can provide the required knowledge training for a sport pilot, recreational or private pilot. You can also accomplish the knowledge portion of the flight review test and recommend someone to take the knowledge tests (written) for one of those certificates.
2) Instrument (IGI) - An instrument ground instructor is able to provide the required knowledge training for a pilot applicant seeking a instrument rating. Similarly to the BGI, you are also able to recommend someone for the instrument written exam.
2) Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) - A advanced ground instructor certificate can provide the required knowledge training for any certificate issued under part 61. That means, private, commercial, airline transport pilot, etc.
A ground instructor certificate does not require you to be a pilot or to have any other pilot experience (although it helps). I have had quite a few instructors, both at FlightSafety and at the regional airline I worked at, who were not pilots, but had obtained their AGI. To be honest, they were some of the best ground instructors I have ever had.
If you are a pilot, a ground instructor certificate is a completely separate certificate. It will even be seperate from your flight instructor certificate. A ground instructor certificate has no expiration although you can’t instruct unless within the precedding 12 months you have served as a ground instructor for 3 months or you receive an endorsement from another ground instructor or CFI that you are proficient (14 CFR 61.217).
In order to become a ground instructor you have to take the FOI (fundamentals of instruction) written test and the appropriate knowledge test either BGI, IGI, or AGI. No oral exam is required! The best way to prepare for the knowledge test is to use a study guide like the one provided by Gleim:
Gleim Flight/Ground Instructor Written Exam Guide - The easiest, fastest, and least expensive means of passing the FAA Flight Instructor - Airplane (FIA) knowledge test
Once you pass the test(s), you can walk into your local FSDO (with an appointment), present your completed FOI and knowledge tests and walk out with a temporary airmen certificate for either a BGI, IGI or AGI. That’s it!
Good luck with your FOI and AGI tests and have fun instructing and teach your students to always…
Fly Safe!
Paul Tocknell is a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) from Dayton, Ohio. In addition to being a CFI, Paul is also a corporate pilot with over 4,000 hours of flight time. Paul enjoys helping answer flight training questions on his blog at askacfi.com Read more from this instructor
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Comments
This is a question I had also. Good info.
After reviewing the FAR it appears all that is required to be an Instrument Ground Instructor is to have an Instrument Rating and pass a knowledge test on the fundementals of instructing.? Is this correct?
So do you have to take the BGI first or can you just take the AGI? It appears that you can just take the AGI?
Also if you get your AGI do you have to take the written again if you want to become a Flight Instructor or does the AGI count for that as well?
Bill C – You need to take the IGI exam as well, and an instrument rating is not required. However, if you do have your instrument rating, the IGI exam is extremely straightforward and quite easy.
Bill P – You can jump right into the AGI or IGI without taking the BGI. The FOI exam is only required once, whether you start with a ground or flight instructor rating. There is a different written exam for flight instructor ratings. To be an AGI and a CFI, you would take the Fundamentals of Instructing exam, then the AGI exam, and then the CFI (Airplane) exam prior to your practical.
AGI vs IGI; Does the AGI covers also the IGI priviliges, eg. sign one off for ifr theoretical exam preparation or teach ifr theoretical topics? On any AGI id-card I saw, no ratings are added; even if the AGI holds an instrument rating on his pilot certificate.
This article was really interesting. Thanks
I still have one more question: does the IGI include also the BGI? In essence, if i want to teach ground instruction for private certificate and instrument, do i need both BGI(or AGI) and IGI? (take 2 exams)
If I’m working towards a CFI, CFII & MEI is there any benefit to also getting an AGI and IGI?
Thanks,
Vincent, the IGI is a separate rating from the BGI. An AGI will include both the IGI and BGI, but you’ll also need to study topics on rotorcraft and lighter-than-air vehicles.
Paul, if you anticipate that you’ll be a successful instructor and pass 80% of 10 INITIAL (student’s first attempt) signoffs, you’ll need either your AGI or your IGI in order to qualify for the FAA’s Gold Seal Flight Instructor certificate.
I already hold a BGI. Can I just take the AGI test without the FOI or anything else?
If I’ve just received my initial AGI certificate do I still need an instructor endorsement to begin teaching? Or am I considered proficient initially and ready to go?
Thanks,
Tony
Hi Tony. Congrats! If you have your AGI, you can start teaching material applicable to the licenses that you hold. There is no other endorsement you need from an instructor.
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