After earning an initial Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate, adding a Certified Flight Instructor - Instrument (CFII) rating is the single best strategic move you can make to expand your instructional career and speed up hour building.
A CFII endorsement authorizes you to teach instrument rating candidates, endorse pilots for instrument proficiency checks (IPC), and conduct dual instrument training in IMC conditions. Here is why earning your CFII rating is worth the effort.
Why Adding Your CFII Is a Game-Changer
More Billable Hours in Bad Weather: Standard VFR flight lessons get canceled on low-ceiling or hazy days. As a CFII, marginal weather days become prime instrument flight training opportunities!
Teaching Higher-Level Students: Instrument students have already earned their Private Pilot License. Lessons focus on high-level avionics, IFR navigation, and ATC procedures rather than basic flight control.
Fast-Tracking IFR Hour Requirements: Airlines require commercial applicants to show substantial instrument flight experience. Teaching instrument students allows you to log quality IFR and approach time daily.
What the CFII Rating Entails
Because you already hold a CFI certificate, earning your CFII is a focused, streamlined process:
Pass the FAA FOI & Instrument Instructor Knowledge Tests: Take the FAA Instrument Instructor (FII) written exam.
Master Right-Seat Instrument Instruction: Learn to teach instrument scans, holding entries, partial-panel approaches, and GPS/ILS navigation from the instructor seat.
Pass the CFII Practical Test: Complete a checkride focused on instrument ground instruction and flight demonstration.
Training Platforms at Visionary Aviation Academy
Our fleet supports comprehensive instrument instructor preparation:
Cessna 172: The ideal platform for conducting primary CFII training and teaching precision GPS/ILS approaches.
Beechcraft Duchess: Excellent for advanced instructors building multi-engine instrument instructional time (MEI prep).
Expand Your Flight Teaching Privileges
Supercharge your instructional career and build quality instrument flight hours faster. At Visionary Aviation Academy, "where vision becomes reality," our CFII training program prepares you for checkride success.
Ready to earn your CFII rating in Memphis? Contact Visionary Aviation Academy today to get started!
