First, you should be a ground instructor.
Second, I was wrong. If you listened to SimpleFlight Radio Sunday, you heard me say that an Instrument Ground Instructor can give flight training in a flight training device. A good friend, who's an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector, corrected me today. (Actually, I was right in 1980. There's never a flux capacitor around when you need one...)
Why Should You Be A Ground Instructor?
Ok, if you're a CFI, this doesn't apply to you. But, if you're a private or commercial pilot, this is for you!
I never really understood aerodynamics, systems or FARs until I started teaching them. And when I started, I had only a few answers. Enough to make me good - definitely competent - but not great. Experience did the rest.
You'll start to put together concepts that would have never occurred to you as a pilot. Why? Because you'll answer questions. You'll give an explanation, and your student will look back at you with glassy eyes. And then, you'll find another way to explain it.
This is hard work - but it's rewarding.
Three Types of Ground Instructors: Basic, Instrument and Advanced
FAR Part 61, Subpart I covers ground instructors, including certification and privileges. You can read all of the details in the FARs, but I'll summarize them here.
To earn any of the ground instructor certificates, you'll need to be at least 18, read write and speak English, and pass a written test on the Fundamentals of Instructing. You'll also have to pass a certificate-specific knowledge test, which I'll describe below.
As a basic ground instructor (BGI), you can provide ground training towards a sport, recreational or private pilot certificate or flight review. Plus, you can endorse these students for their knowledge tests. To earn it, you'll also have to pass a knowledge test on the aeronautical knowledge areas in FARs 61.97, 61.105 and 61.309.
As an instrument ground instructor (IGI), you can provide ground training towards an instrument rating or an instrument proficiency check. Plus, you can endorse a student for the instrument written exam. You'll have to pass a knowledge test on FARs 61.65.
As an advanced ground instructor (AGI), you can provide ground training towards any certificate issued under Part 61, excluding an instrument rating. In this case, you can endorse the student to take their written exam for any of these covered certificates. You'll have to pass a knowledge test on FARs 61.97, 61.105, 61.125, 61.155 and 61.309.
What does "provide ground training" mean? It means that you can teach students the aeronautical knowledge areas needed for their certificate. And, you can endorse their logbook for that ground instruction and their written exams.
How Not To Get The Certificate
Don't go out and buy the written test study guide, memorize it, and take the test. You won't learn a thing.
Instead, grab the Aviation Instructor's Handbook and learn the fundamentals of instructing. You can download it, and all of the other books you need, from the FAA's site, here. Then, go get a study guide, prep for the test, and pass it.
Do the same for the other knowledge tests, as well. Everything you need to know can be found in the FARs, Aeronautical Information Manual, Pilot's Handbook of Aeronautical Knowledge, Airplane Flying Handbook, and the other FAA pubs and manuals.
Are you excited yet, or what?!? What could be better than reading a whole pile of FAA handbooks, and taking written exams?
The handbooks are a great source of information. And, as an instructor, knowing where to find the answers is as important as knowing the answers.
Why Some Will Tell You It's Not Worth It
Ok - some instructors will tell you that you're wasting your time. You're not - but they make good points. You may never need to endorse someone for their written exam. You'll probably never split up a biennial flight review or an instrument proficiency check between two instructors - a ground instructor for the ground portion and a flight instructor for the flight.
So why get it, then? Because you've done the work to learn the knowledge. You've earned the certificate - go get it!
What will you use it for? Mentor a new pilot. Go work with the EAA Young Eagles, the Civil Air Patrol, or another organization. Get people excited about flying - this thing that you love to do!
What You Can't Do - Teach In A Flight Training Device
Why do I bring this up? Because the training regulations, and the FAA's interpretation, have changed. In 1980, the FAA issued this opinion regarding ground instructors teaching in a FTD:
FEB. 28, 1980
MRS. M. J. RUTH
Dear Mrs. Ruth:
This is in response to your letter in which you ask what are the appropriate instructor ratings required by the Federal Aviation Regulations for flight instruction in a simulator.
The following regulations provide for the crediting of flight instruction in a simulator toward required flight instruction.
Section 61.65 requires an applicant for an instrument rating to have at least 40 hours of simulated or actual instrument time, of which not more than 20 hours may be instrument instruction by an authorized instructor in an instrument ground trainer acceptable to the Administrator. These 20 hours may be given by ground instructor with an instrument ground instructor rating or by an instrument flight instructor.
Section 61.129(b)(2)(i) requires an applicant for a commercial pilot certificate with an airplane rating to have at least 10 hours of instrument instruction, of which 5 hours must be in flight in airplanes. The 5 hours which may be given in a simulator may only be given by a ground instructor with an instrument ground instructor rating or by an instrument flight instructor.
The appendices of Part 141, Schools and Other Certificated Agencies, allow certain flight training and instruction to be given in a pilot ground trainer that meets the requirements of section 141.41(a)(1) or (2). Section 141.33(a)(3) requires that instructors used for this instruction must hold a flight or ground instructor certificate as appropriate. The appropriate certificates and ratings for instruction in a ground trainer are as follows:
1. For a private pilot certification course (airplanes) [section 3(a) of Appendix A], a ground instructor certificate with any rating or a flight instructor certificate with an airplane rating.
2. For an instrument rating course (airplanes) [section 3 of Appendix C], a ground instructor certificate with an instrument ground instructor rating or a flight instructor certificate with an instrument rating.
3. For a commercial pilot certification course (airplanes) or a commercial test course (airplanes) [section 3 of Appendix D and section 4 of Appendix E], a ground instructor certificate with an advanced ground instructor rating or an instrument ground instructor rating, or a flight instructor certificate with an airplane rating.
We hope this information will be helpful to you.
Sincerely,
EDWARD P. FABERMAN
Acting Assistant Chief Counsel
Regulations and Enforcement Division
The Current Rules and Interpretation On Flight Training Devices
The training regulations, and the FAA's interpretation of who can teach in a FTD, have changed.
Here's their current opinion:
Office of the Chief Counsel
800 Independence Ave., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20591
Sep 24, 2010
Mr. Stephen Gatlin
740 Centervale Drive
Celebration, FL 34747
Dear Mr. Gatlin:
This is in response to your inquiry concerning whether an Advanced Ground Instructor or Instrument Ground Instructor is an "Authorized Instructor," as defined in 14 C.F.R. 61.1(b)(2), for purposes of giving instrument instruction to candidates for Private Pilot, Instrument Pilot, and Commercial Pilot certificates in a flight simulator, flight training device or advanced aviation training device.
In your letter you base your interpretation of which types of training are permissible for a Advanced Ground Instructor/Instrument Ground Instructor on the definition of an "Authorized Instructor" under 14 C.F.R. 61.1(b)(2). This section states that,
"Authorized Instructor means (i) A person who holds a ground instructor certificate issued under Part 61 of this chapter and is in compliance with 61.217, when conducting ground training in accordance with the privileges and limitations of his or her ground instructor certificate.
(ii) A person who holds a flight instructor certificate issued under Part 61 of this chapter and is in compliance with 61.217, when conducting ground training or flight training in accordance with the privileges and limitations of his or her flight instructor certificate."
In addition, the definition of ground training, in 61.1(b)(8) is as follows, "Ground training means that training, other than flight training, received from an authorized instructor."
The privileges of a ground instructor are specifically listed in 61.215(b), which states that, "a person who holds an advanced ground instructor rating is authorized to provide: (1) ground training on the aeronautical knowledge areas required for the issuance of any certificate or rating under this part." Section 61.215( c) likewise states that "a person who holds an instrument ground instructor rating is authorized to provide: (1) Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas required for the issuance of an instrument rating under this part."
Section 61.215 - Ground Instructor Privileges, is silent regarding whether the privileges of a ground instructor permit supervision of training in a flight simulator or flight training device. As this section is an exhaustive listing of the privileges granted to persons holding ground instructor certificates, the omission of any grant of authority allowing ground instructors to supervise flight training time in a flight simulator or flight training device is evidence that ground instructors are not authorized instructors for purposes of conducting flight training in flight simulators or flight training devices. Therefore, the interpretation of the regulations by the FAA designee is correct, and you would not be permitted to supervise flight training for purposes of logging time toward an instrument rating or pilot certificate.
We trust that the above response addresses your concerns. If you need further assistance, please contact my staff at (202) 267-3073. This response was prepared by Neal O'Hara, an Attorney in the Regulations Division of the Office of the Chief Counsel, and was coordinated with the Certification and General Aviation Operations Branch of the Flight Standards Service.
Sincerely,
Rebecca B. MacPherson,
Assistant Chief Counsel for Regulation, AGC-200
So, don't give instruction in a flight training device or simulator without the appropriate flight instructor certificate.
Go Out And Get It
You always hear that life's not about the end, it's about the journey. That's especially true as in instructor. Make it a journey, and a fun one. You'll be a better pilot for it, and you'll inspire more pilots along the way.
Are you reading this, debating whether this is for you? I bet it is. Go get it.
