Pinned Post
QFI to FI
Reference the CAP in the previous post for full details but essentially, a QFI can be awarded an FI rating with very little training.
An assessment flight, training as required inc ground school, then a skills test. We recommend On-Track Aviation for this - https://www.ontrackaviation.com/ukaf-qfi-uk-fi.html
An FI who has not completed the CPL/ATPL exams is limited to only teaching LAPL ab initio. They also do not hold FCL.945 privileges and as such, can not revalidate SEP ratings by experience. This limit can be 'unlocked' by passing all 13 ATPL exams as per the previous post.
An FI who does meet the requirements of FCL.910 is Restricted denoted by FI(R) rather than FI(A) on their license. which means:
(a) An FI shall have his or her privileges limited to conducting flight instruction under the supervision of an FI for the same category of aircraft nominated by the DTO or the ATO for this purpose, in the following cases:
(1) for the issue of the PPL and LAPL;
(2) in all integrated courses at PPL level, in case of aeroplanes and helicopters;
(3) for class and type ratings for single-pilot, single-engine aircraft, except for single-pilot high-performance complex aeroplanes;
(4) for the night, towing or aerobatic ratings.
(b) While conducting training under supervision, in accordance with (a), the FI shall not have the privilege to authorise student pilots to conduct first solo flights and first solo cross-country flights.
(c) The limitations in (a) and (b) shall be removed from the FI certificate when the FI has completed at least:
(1) for the FI(A), 100 hours of flight instruction in aeroplanes or TMGs and, in addition has supervised at least 25 student solo flights;
(2) for the FI(H) 100 hours of flight instruction in helicopters and, in addition has supervised at least 25 student solo flight air exercises;
(3) for the FI(As), 15 hours or 50 take-offs of flight instruction covering the full training syllabus for the issue of a PPL(As).
However, most QFIs can show compliance with (C)(1) and applu to be unrestricted on initial application.
Aeros, Night and CPL Instructional privileges can also be applied for if competence to instruct those areas was shown during the test.