Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII)
Take your instructional skills to the next level. Develop the proficiency, judgment, and teaching ability to guide future instrument pilots with confidence.
DISCUSS CFII TRAININGBecome the Instructor Instrument Pilots Depend On
The Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument (CFII) rating expands your flight instructor privileges, allowing you to provide instrument flight training within the scope of your qualifications and applicable FAA regulations. It prepares you to work with pilots pursuing an instrument rating and those seeking to sharpen their IFR skills.
Being an effective CFII requires more than flying an airplane solely by reference to instruments. It requires the ability to explain complex procedures clearly, anticipate and correct student errors, manage cockpit workload, and teach sound aeronautical decision-making.
At Full Throttle Aero, our CFII training focuses on two essential objectives: mastering instrument flight fundamentals and becoming a confident, capable, and effective instrument instructor. We pair technical proficiency with practical mentorship so you can teach real-world IFR operations—not simply demonstrate them for a practical test.
Eligibility & Certification Requirements
Before You Begin
- For this CFI add-on course, hold a current flight instructor certificate with an airplane rating and the appropriate instrument rating on your pilot certificate.
- Meet applicable FAA eligibility and training requirements for adding an instrument instructor rating, including aeronautical knowledge and flight proficiency.
- Demonstrate the ability to teach instrument procedures, risk management, and aircraft control by reference to instruments.
Applicants pursuing an initial flight instructor certificate rather than an additional instructor rating may have different requirements. We will confirm your certificate and rating eligibility before training.
Knowledge & Practical Tests
- Complete instructor-led ground and flight training appropriate to the instrument-airplane instructor rating and receive the required endorsements.
- Pass the applicable Flight Instructor Instrument (FII) knowledge test unless a specific FAA exception applies.
- Pass the FAA practical test to add the instrument-airplane rating to your flight instructor certificate.
- Demonstrate instructional competence, not merely the ability to fly IFR procedures.
There is no universal FAA-mandated number of flight hours for this CFII add-on course. A new spin endorsement is not generally a separate CFII add-on requirement. Medical certificate requirements depend on your role during flight, not merely holding the instructor certificate.
FAA references: 14 CFR § 61.183, § 61.185, § 61.187, and § 61.23. Applicable FAA testing standards and individual circumstances govern.
CFII Training Syllabus
01 · Instrument Fundamentals
Refresh instrument scan, aircraft control, attitude instrument flying, unusual attitudes, and partial-panel operations while practicing how to demonstrate and explain each skill.
02 · IFR Systems, Regulations & Weather
Teach IFR clearances, required equipment, aircraft systems, alternate planning, weather products, risk assessment, and go/no-go decision-making.
03 · Navigation & Instrument Approaches
Instruct on navigation systems, holds, departures, arrivals, precision and nonprecision approaches, missed approaches, and avionics management.
04 · Teaching from the Instructor Seat
Practice demonstrations, verbal instruction, lesson sequencing, recognizing student errors, and safe intervention while maintaining situational awareness.
05 · Real-World IFR Scenarios
Build scenario-based lessons around route planning, changing weather, ATC communications, equipment failures, workload management, and aeronautical decision-making.
06 · Mock Lessons & Practical Test Preparation
Teach full ground and flight lessons, refine oral presentations, rehearse practical-test tasks, and address individual proficiency gaps.
Illustrative CFII Training Costs
Training is tailored to your instrument proficiency and instructional experience. The following examples are planning scenarios, not FAA minimums or fixed-price packages. Each flight hour includes wet aircraft rental and $65/hour flight instruction; ground instruction is $50/hour.
| Aircraft (wet) | 10 flight + 10 ground hours | 15 flight + 15 ground hours |
|---|---|---|
| Cessna 150 · $130/hr | $2,450 | $3,675 |
| Cessna 152 · $155/hr | $2,700 | $4,050 |
| Cessna 172 · $185/hr | $3,000 | $4,500 |
| Cessna 182 · $235/hr | $3,500 | $5,250 |
These estimates exclude FAA knowledge testing, examiner fees, supplies, and additional instruction. IFR-equipped aircraft suitability, instructor-position equipment, availability, and applicable operating limitations must be confirmed. Actual or simulated instrument conditions and any approved training-device use will be planned individually.
Learn to Teach IFR with Confidence
Our goal is to prepare you to guide students through the challenges of instrument flying with clarity, professionalism, precision, and an uncompromising focus on safety.
START YOUR CFII TRAINING EXPLORE TRAINING COSTS