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3 Answers

Sport CFI compensation without commercial?

Asked by: 4453 views FAA Regulations, Flight Instructor, Light Sport Aircraft

Can someone direct me to where in the FAR’s it specifies that a CFIS can charge for services even though he has no commercial license?  It is very specific about Sport Pilots cannot fly for compensation but not for Sport Pilot turned CFIS.  Is it by omission?

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3 Answers



  1. Mark Kolber on Apr 25, 2021

    There is no specific FAR. It is derivative of a long-standing FAA policy that instructors are paid for teaching, not for flying. The policy is reflected in several FARs such as the regs saying that a “regular” CFI only needs BasicMed when acting as PIC (in a covered operation), only a 3rd class otherwise, and no medical at all if not acting as PIC or required crew.

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  2. John von on Apr 25, 2021

    If I understand you correctly, you are saying a second class medical is never required to instruct and charge for it?

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  3. Russ Roslewski on Apr 25, 2021

    That is correct. You need a second-class medical to exercise Commercial privileges, i.e. get paid to fly. While you have to have a Commercial certificate to become a (non-SP) CFI, an instructor is being paid to teach, not to fly, so a 2nd class medical is not required.

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