Becoming a flight instructor is a major step in any pilot’s career. It not only helps you build hours but also sharpens your knowledge by teaching others to fly safely and confidently.
As you explore instructor certifications, you’ll hear two key terms: CFI and CFII. While both allow you to teach, they serve different roles. A CFI teaches visual flight, while a CFII qualifies you to instruct instrument flying, crucial for low visibility conditions.
At Flight Time, you’ll find affordable, fast-track programs for both certifications, designed to fit your pace and career goals.
This guide explains the difference between CFI and CFII so you can choose the right path and take the next step in your aviation journey.
What Is a CFI?
A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) is a pilot qualified to teach others how to fly. To become a CFI, you must pass specific exams and gain hands-on experience.
As a CFI, you guide students through flight skills and safety procedures. You also build valuable flying hours and open new career paths.
CFI Certification Process
To become a CFI, you need a commercial pilot license or must be eligible for one. You study for and pass a written knowledge test.
Then, you complete a practical test with an FAA examiner, which includes both oral questions and flight maneuvers. This process usually takes about two weeks and costs around $4,900.
Training covers teaching techniques, flying skills, and FAA regulations. You learn how to instruct students safely and effectively in both the air and the classroom. With accelerated programs, you can earn your CFI certificate and begin instructing sooner.
CFI Roles and Responsibilities
As a CFI, you teach student pilots how to fly safely. You provide flight lessons, ground school instruction, and prepare students for their FAA exams. You’ll demonstrate maneuvers, explain aviation concepts, and evaluate student progress.
CFIs review student logbooks and ensure all flight training meets FAA standards. You may help students earn private pilot licenses, instrument ratings, or commercial certificates. Your role requires strong communication skills and a thorough understanding of aircraft and flight procedures.
Benefits of Becoming a CFI
Becoming a CFI helps you build flight hours faster while earning money by teaching others. It’s a common way to gain the experience needed for airline jobs or advanced ratings. You develop skills like leadership, communication, and safety decision-making.
Teaching others also deepens your own flying knowledge. CFIs often get flexible schedules and access to aircraft at lower costs. You receive support from experienced instructors and a vibrant community that helps you grow your flying career.
What Is a CFII?
A CFII, or Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument, is a pilot with specialized skills to teach flying solely by relying on instruments. You can help other pilots learn to fly safely when visibility is low or weather conditions are poor. To earn this rating, you need to meet certain requirements and understand your main duties.
CFII Certification Requirements
To become a CFII, you must first be a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI). After that, you pass a written exam on instrument flying rules and procedures. Some programs allow you to complete your CFII training in about two weeks, including the testing process.
You also log several hours of instrument flight time and show you can teach these skills in the air. The FAA sets these standards to ensure you can safely instruct others in flying only by instruments.
Duties of a CFII
As a CFII, you teach pilots how to fly using only their aircraft instruments. This includes training them to:
- Handle flights in poor visibility without outside references
- Understand instrument approach procedures
- Manage emergencies that happen while flying in clouds or bad weather
You prepare students for instrument rating tests. You guide them through the knowledge, skills, and judgment needed to pass FAA checkrides.
Advantages of Earning a CFII Rating
Earning your CFII expands your teaching skills beyond basic flight instruction. You become qualified to instruct pilots who want to fly under instrument flight rules (IFR), which is essential for commercial flying.
With a CFII rating, you increase your value as a flight instructor and open doors to more job opportunities. An affordable and fast-paced training helps you earn this rating efficiently.
Key Differences Between CFI and CFII
When you’re deciding between CFI and CFII, it helps to know how each certificate shapes your training and career options. They differ mainly in the type of instruction you provide and the focus on instrument training.
Additionally, there are specific requirements you must meet before starting.
Type of Instruction Provided
A CFI (Certified Flight Instructor) teaches the basics of flying. You help students earn their private pilot license (PPL), commercial pilot license (CPL), or other certificates that rely on visual flight rules (VFR). Your work focuses on teaching how to operate the airplane in clear weather and basic flight maneuvers.
With a CFII (Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument), you specialize in teaching flight solely by reference to instruments. You train students to fly when visibility is low or in clouds, relying on instruments inside the cockpit. CFII instruction is essential for pilots seeking their instrument rating (IR).
Instrument Training Scope
The CFI certificate does not cover teaching instrument flying beyond initial basics. You cannot offer official instruction for flying solely by instruments or training students to pass the instrument rating.
The CFII is your pathway if you want to focus on instrument flight training. You teach students how to handle challenging conditions like bad weather and how to navigate using their instruments. This certificate expands your ability to train pilots who will fly in complex environments.
Student Eligibility Requirements
To become a CFI, you need a commercial pilot license (CPL) or an airline transport pilot license (ATP). You must also pass the FAA knowledge and practical tests for the CFI certificate. You can complete these steps with focused, flexible training.
For a CFII, you must hold a current CFI certificate and an instrument rating before applying. You first gain experience teaching basic flying before you expand to instrument instruction. Flight Time offers both CFI and CFII courses, helping you build your skills step-by-step.
Each path fits different parts of your aviation journey, depending on the type of instruction you want to provide and your long-term goals.
Exam and Training Differences
When you decide to become a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) or add the Instrument Instructor rating (CFII), you will face different testing and training requirements. These include variations in written and practical exams, as well as the flight experience you need to build before you qualify.
Written and Practical Test Variations
The CFI exam tests your ability to teach basic flight maneuvers and knowledge areas related to private and commercial pilots. It includes a written knowledge test followed by a practical checkride where you demonstrate teaching and flying skills.
For the CFII, the focus shifts to instrument flying. You take a separate written exam covering IFR regulations, procedures, and systems. The practical test has you instruct students on simulated and actual instrument flights, requiring you to show advanced knowledge of flying solely by instruments.
Costs differ slightly, with packages charging about $4,900 for combined CFI and CFII training. Both ratings typically take about two weeks to complete, but the CFII includes extra emphasis on instrument teaching.
Flight Experience Requirements
To qualify for your CFI certificate, you must hold at least a commercial pilot certificate. This usually means you have 250 hours of total flight time, including specific cross-country and night experience.
For the CFII, you need an instrument rating first, plus additional hours flying under instrument flight rules (IFR). You also complete training that focuses on teaching complex instrument procedures like approaches, holds, and instrument departure techniques.
Tailored programs can help you build these hours efficiently while preparing you for both exams with hands-on support.
Career Path Considerations
Choosing between CFI and CFII affects the kind of job you can get and how your career moves forward. Each certificate opens different doors depending on the type of instruction and level of flying you want to teach.
Employment Opportunities for CFIs
As a Certified Flight Instructor (CFI), you mainly teach basic flight skills to students earning their private pilot license. This is a great way to build hours quickly while helping others start their aviation journey.
CFIs usually work at flight schools or flying clubs, where demand for private pilot training is steady. The job often involves one-on-one instruction in small aircraft like Cessnas or Pipers.
If you want to fast-track your career, becoming a CFI early gives you a chance to log flight time and gain teaching experience. Flexible and affordable CFI programs can help you get started in as little as 10 hours of training.
Employment Opportunities for CFIIs
A Certified Flight Instructor Instrument (CFII) has all the CFI privileges but can also teach pilots to fly using instruments in clouds or bad weather. This qualification lets you work with private pilots advancing their skills or commercial pilots training for instrument ratings.
CFIIs often find higher-paying jobs at advanced flight schools or even airlines offering simulator and ground training. The CFII opens doors to instruct on instrument flying, which many students need to be airline-ready.
With a CFII, you increase your career flexibility and can command better wages.
When to Pursue CFII After CFI
You should consider pursuing your CFII after you earn your CFI if you want to teach instrument flying. The CFII allows you to train students to fly using instruments in clouds and low visibility. This skill is important for pilots aiming to fly professionally or in tougher weather.
Many pilots get their CFII soon after the CFI to make themselves more valuable as instructors. Being able to teach both basic flying and instrument flying opens more job opportunities and increases student demand.
With flexible programs, you can fast-track your CFII after your CFI. You can add the instrument rating instructor certificate in as little as 10 hours of training. If you want to build your flight hours quickly while teaching, this is a smart path.
You might also pursue CFII if you want to improve your own flying skills. Learning instrument flying deeply can make you a safer pilot and a better teacher.
Key points to consider:
- Ready to teach instrument rating students
- Want to increase job opportunities as a flight instructor
- Want to advance your aviation career faster
- Interested in improving your own flying skills
Experienced instructors guide you through this with hands-on training and support. You can start your CFII soon after your CFI to keep your momentum.
Salary and Compensation Comparison
When you become a CFI (Certified Flight Instructor), your salary often depends on where you teach and how many hours you fly. Entry-level CFIs can expect to make between $30,000 and $50,000 per year. Many start by building flight hours while gaining experience.
As a CFII (Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument), you can earn more. This rating allows you to teach instrument flying, which many students need. Salaries for CFII instructors usually range from $40,000 to $60,000 annually, sometimes higher depending on demand.
| Position | Average Salary Range | Key Benefit |
| CFI | $30,000 – $50,000 | Build flight hours |
| CFII | $40,000 – $60,000+ | Teach instrument skills |
Many instructors work hourly or receive bonuses based on flight hours. Your earnings can grow as you gain more experience and students.
Flexible instructor programs are designed to help you start earning quickly. The extra CFII rating can fast-track your aviation career by opening doors to higher pay and more teaching opportunities.
Cessna Flight Instructor (CFI) vs. Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII): Real-World Scenarios
When you start as a Cessna Flight Instructor (CFI), you teach students how to fly safely using visual cues. You help new pilots learn takeoffs, landings, and general aircraft handling.
A CFII teaches students to fly using only instruments. You guide pilots through flying in clouds, bad weather, and low visibility. You prepare them for instrument ratings, which are important for commercial flying.
Here’s how the roles differ in real life:
| Scenario | CFI Role | CFII Role |
| Teaching a new pilot | Basics of flying, safe maneuvers | Focus on flying without outside views |
| Weather limits flight | Training often stops if visibility is poor | Teach how to fly safely in poor conditions |
| Preparing for advanced tests | Help pass private pilot checkride | Train for instrument rating exam |
You can advance from CFI to CFII with a 10-hour program. This lets you start teaching instrument flying quickly while building real-world flight experience.
Both certificates have important uses. They give you the skills to teach different types of flying safely and confidently.
Here’s a quick comparison:
| Certificate | What You Can Teach | Time Needed | Common Use |
| CFI | Private and commercial skills | ~10 hours | Entry-level instruction |
| CFII | Instrument flying | ~10 hours | Advanced instrument training |
Choosing the Right Flight Instructor Rating
Whether you start with a CFI or go straight into CFII, both ratings give you valuable experience, flexibility, and real teaching opportunities. Each certification expands your skills and prepares you for the next stage in your aviation career.
At Flight Time, you’ll find expert guidance, accelerated training, and the support you need to earn your instructor credentials.
Explore your goals, compare your options, and start building the foundation for your future as a professional flight instructor.
Frequently Asked Questions
You may wonder how training, privileges, and career paths differ between a CFI and a CFII. This section breaks down the key differences in what you need to qualify, the roles you can take on, and how your career and salary might change.
How does training to be a CFII differ from training for a CFI?
Training for a CFII builds on your CFI skills by adding instrument flight instruction. It focuses on teaching students how to fly using instruments in low-visibility conditions. The CFII course usually takes about two weeks and costs around $4,900 with focused, accelerated training.
What additional privileges does a CFII have compared to a CFI?
As a CFII, you can teach instrument flight rules (IFR). You train pilots to fly safely in clouds, fog, or other low-visibility conditions. A regular CFI cannot provide this specific type of instruction.
Can a CFII instruct in instrument flying without a CFI certification?
No. You must already hold a CFI certificate to become a CFII. The CFII is an added qualification that allows you to teach instrument flying beyond the basic flight instruction privileges of a CFI.
What are the requirements for someone to become a CFII compared to a CFI?
To become a CFI, you need a commercial pilot license and must pass the FAA knowledge and practical tests focused on teaching basic flying skills. For CFII, you must already be a CFI and then pass additional FAA exams related to instrument flying.
What is the typical career progression from CFI to CFII?
Most pilots earn their CFI certification first to build teaching experience. After that, they add the CFII rating to expand their instructional capabilities and increase job opportunities. This progression helps you build hours and skills faster.
How does the average salary of a CFII compare to a CFI?
CFIIs usually earn more than CFIs because of the extra qualifications they bring. Instructors with a CFII rating can take on instrument training roles that pay higher hourly rates. Salaries vary, but you can expect an increase once you add your CFII certification.