Certified Flight Instructor

Desert Wings Flight School; Mesa (AZ); Hybrid; USD 35,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

Desert Wings Flight School in Mesa, Arizona offers a clear path to the FAA Certified Flight Instructor certificate, turning your commercial certificate into a paid job and faster flight hours toward the ATP goal.

You will endorse solo and checkrides, log PIC time, and teach ground instruction for FAA tests. Prerequisites include a Commercial Pilot Certificate, Instrument Rating, 250 total flight hours, spin endorsement, and FOI/FIA knowledge tests.

Qualifications

• Hold FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate and Instrument Rating.
• Have at least 250 total flight hours and spin endorsement.
• Must pass FOI and FIA knowledge tests for instructor eligibility.
• Able to teach flight and ground instruction in single‑engine airplanes.
• Ready to build flight hours toward ATP requirements.

Responsibilities

• Endorse students for solo, cross‑country, and checkrides.
• Provide flight instruction in single‑engine airplanes.
• Log instruction time as PIC and teach FAA written test material.
• Help students build hours toward ATP minimums.

Skills

Endorse students for solo, cross‑counn

Log instruction as PIC

Ground instruction for FAA tests

Education

FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate

FAA Instrument Rating

250 total flight hours (commercial minimum)

Spin training endorsement from a CFI

FOI and Flight Instructor Airplane knowledge tests

Job description

The FAA Certified Flight Instructor certificate. Turn the right seat into a classroom — teach others to fly while building the hours that carry you to the airlines.

The Certified Flight Instructor certificate authorizes you to give flight and ground instruction in single-engine airplanes — the credential that turns your commercial certificate into a paying job and a fast path to the hours that follow.

Privileges What you can do

• Endorse students for solo, cross-country, and checkrides
• Build hours toward ATP minimums while earning income
• Give flight instruction in single-engine airplanes
• Log instruction given as pilot in command time
• Give ground instruction for FAA written tests

Limitations And what you can't

• CFI certificate must be renewed every 24 calendar months — completing an FIRC, meeting the activity requirement, or passing a practical test
• Cannot teach in multi-engine airplanes without an MEI rating
• Medical certificate must remain valid when acting as PIC
• Cannot teach instrument students without a CFII rating

Prerequisites

• FAA Commercial Pilot Certificate
• FAA Instrument Rating
• 250 total flight hours (commercial minimum)
• Spin training endorsement from a CFI
• Pass FOI and Flight Instructor Airplane knowledge tests

Proven student success

Our students consistently pass their checkrides and achieve their aviation goals with confidence.

Gold Seal instruction

Learn from FAA-certified Gold Seal instructors with proven teaching methods and personalized attention.

Year-round flying

Train in Mesa, Arizona with ideal flying conditions and over 300 days of sunshine per year.

Flexible scheduling

Train at your own pace with scheduling options that fit your lifestyle and learning goals.

01 What do I need before starting CFI training?

You must already hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate and an Instrument Rating, with at least 250 total flight hours. You will also need a spin training endorsement from a CFI before your checkride.

02 How long does CFI training take?

Most candidates complete CFI training in 6–8 weeks. The pace depends on how comfortable you are teaching from the right seat and how quickly you build out your lesson plans.

03 What tests do I have to pass?

Two FAA knowledge tests — Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) and Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA) — plus an oral and flight practical with a DPE. The oral is long; expect to teach a full lesson on the ground before you fly.

04 Can I build hours toward the airlines while instructing?

Yes — that is the point. Every hour of flight instruction you give counts as pilot in command time, so most career-track pilots earn the bulk of their ATP-qualifying hours as a CFI.

See real pricing for your CFI.

Use our pricing calculator for a realistic estimate based on your training pace and goals — or talk to an advisor for a real plan within one business day.

• 02 An advisor calls

  Within one business day. We ask about your goals, your schedule, and what you've already flown.

• 03 You get a real plan

  Tail numbers, instructor matches, ballpark cost, and the next step — written down. Not a sales pitch.

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