How do I become a ground instructor?
October 14th, 2008 | 
Author: 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!
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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.
I hold a commercial license.Do i have to give the FOI written test before taking the AGI test?
Sashank: Yes, you will need to take the FOI and then the AGI test in order to become an advanced ground instructor. The only exception is if you have a teacher certificate, then you would not need to take the FOI.
I currently have my Private SEL and Instrument ratings. I plan to take the FOI and then the AGI. As I understand it, I can then provide instruction and knowledge test sign-offs for ANY certificate or rating.
Also, is there a Gold Seal certificate for ground instructors?
Thanks for your help.
i need some info. does the agi test contain any questions on balloon/airship/helicopter etc ??
thanks
I was reviewing the requirements of becoming a ground instructor and it appears it requires a teaching certificate. Most states I think require a degree for a teaching certificate. So do ground instructors need a teaching certificate or not? and if so why?
jp
Hi Jeff. No, you do not need a teaching certificate in order to become a ground instructor. The only mention of a teaching certificate is in 14 CFR 61.213(b) which allows persons with either a
Ground instructor certificate or flight instructor certificate
A current teacher’s certificate issued by a State, county, city, or municipality that allows the person to teach at an educational level of the 7th grade or higher; or
Is employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.
If someone meets one of those requirements, then they are not required to pass a test on the fundamentals of instructing (FOI). They will still have to take the required knowledge test (AGI, BGI, etc) but not the FOI.
a teachng certificate to bypass the requirements for the FOI test only.
Hi, good article…
I am an airline pilot looking to make some extra on the side. My CFI is expired but I only want to run some monthly ground schools. I know I will need to take the AGI exam but will I have to take the FOI again? Thanks for the reply!
Note that as of October 20, 2009, the regs are amended to explicitly exclude instrument rating training from the privileges of the AGI. The means you’ll need an IGI to provide ground instruction for an instrument rating, whether you have an AGI or not.
After reading the Q & A’s above, my only 2 question are:
1) Can you recommend or suggest where to go and take the AGI test in south Fl; (KFLL or KMIA area)
2) and if you hold a dispatcher certificate does that help in any way for the AGI certificate?
Hi Paul, great article. As a matter of fact, I read another one – 10 reasons why one should a ground instructor certificate along with, or even before getting the CFI certificate. Here is the link to the article: http://cfiacademy.com/courses/cfi-initial/why-should-i-get-ground-instructor-cert-along-with-cfi-certificate/
Once again, excellent information and looking forward to more.
I am a CFI CFII MEI and i have a pass rate of 11out of 13. i want to get my agi so that i can get my gold seal. my question is the agi test just the FIA test again with a couple questions about rotor crafts. or is there another test i need to study before taking the agi? thanks
Can somebody out there recommend a school in the Ft. lauderdale area, where one can take the AGI (FOI included) and the associated FAA test?
Any information is appreciated.
PDL,
Check AOPA at http://www.aopa.org/info/certified/cats.html
There are two places in Ft. Lauderdale that I can find.
A.T.P., Inc. (FLL)
1100 Lee Wagener Blvd Ste 100
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315
Phone: 800 255 2877 800 255 2877
Fax: 954-359-6001
Website: http://www.allatps.com
and
A.T.P., Inc-FXE
2011 S. Perimeter Rd Ste I
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone: 800 255-2877 800 255-2877
Fax: 954 491 7721