Instructing

What the heck is a Q-route?

This is great follow-up question to a previous post, “Can you use a q-route below FL180?”. The question came to me after posting a link to that post on my Twitter profile.
So what the heck is a Q-route?
Well.  There are primarily three types of airways:
1) VOR Federal airways - This is the airway system that [...]

What the fastest way to reinstate my CFI?

Mike writes in asking:
I am an out of work, corporate pilot who has let his CFI expire . I am applying for a job that requires a valid CFI license. I have not instructed for some time. In your opinion, what is the most cost effective and painless approach to re-instating my license?
Hi Mike.  There [...]

Can you become a Sport Pilot instructor with a Private rating?

From Mark, we have another question about Sport Pilot:
Does a current Private Pilot have to get a Sport Pilot rating as part of the requirements of being a CFI-SP Sport Pilot flight instructor?
Mark, the FAA has a table (pdf; it’s hard to track down!) that lists all the requirements for various SP certificates. CFI - Sport [...]

Adding a category to a rating

Scott writes:
I have the following certificates/ratings: ATP MEL, commercial helicopter, instrument helicopter, private SEL, and CFI helicopter. I am wanting to add a commercial or ATP to my SEL certificate, followed by my airplane CFI and MEI. 1st question: When I take my commercial checkride, does it have to be in a complex aircraft? 2nd [...]

Do CFIs have to train in complex aircraft?

Joshua is wondering if he’s gotten the right information about CFI requirements:
I recently obtained my multi-engine commercial license in a DA-42 Twin Star. Since I did my commercial in a complex aircraft, do I have to train in a complex single for my initial CFI? I am being told that I do, but it does [...]

What’s the deal with Sport aviation?

We have been receiving a lot of Sport pilot and LSA-related questions lately. Ken has two more:
“If I get my PPL, can I count my hours in a non-LSA aircraft toward a SP CFI?”
And, a more general question, “Is there some common reason why schools and FBOs seem very cold to the suggestion of having [...]

Can a ‘normal’ CFI teach Sport pilot students?

It’s easy to get lost in the FARs, as most instructors will agree. Clayton asks a question that I had myself a few months back:
I cannot find a clear explanation in the regs saying that a CFI w/asel privileges can teach sport pilot students. Everything I am seeing is referring to someone that wants an initial CFI [...]

Where are flight instructors needed the most?

Freddie wrote me to ask:
Hi Paul. I have waited my entire life to finally get to this point where I am able to make flight teaching my one and only. My wife has taught high school for 25 years, and that helps a great deal so now I can devote my heart, soul and mind [...]

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