Become a Flight Instructor (CFI / CFII / MEI)
Become a flight instructor in Los Angeles and get paid to fly while you build hours toward the airlines. Earn your CFI, CFII, and MEI with Flight School LA at Van Nuys Airport.
Why Become a Flight Instructor
Becoming a flight instructor in Los Angeles is the most proven way to turn your commercial certificate into a paid flying job and a fast track to the airlines. As a CFI you build flight time every day while earning income, and the hours you log count toward the experience requirements for an airline career. Flight School LA has trained instructors at Van Nuys Airport (KVNY) for more than 15 years, and many of our own instructors came up through this exact path.
Teaching also makes you a sharper pilot. Explaining maneuvers, anticipating student mistakes, and managing the cockpit from the right seat deepen your knowledge in a way nothing else does. It is the reason airlines value instructor time so highly.
Get Paid to Fly
Earn an income doing what you love while you build the hours your career requires.
Build Airline Hours
Instructing is the fastest, most reliable way for most pilots to reach airline minimums.
Master Your Craft
Teaching from the right seat makes you a more precise, knowledgeable pilot.
CFI, CFII & MEI Explained
There are three instructor certificates, and earning all three makes you maximally employable. We offer them as a package or individually depending on your goals.
CFI
Certified Flight Instructor. Lets you teach students working toward their private and commercial certificates and most maneuvers.
CFII
Certified Flight Instructor – Instrument. Lets you train students for the Instrument Rating, a high-demand skill set.
MEI
Multi-Engine Instructor. Lets you teach in twins, build valuable multi-engine time, and command higher pay.
Requirements
Instructor certificates build on your commercial training. The FAA sets the prerequisites under Part 61, and we make sure you meet each one before your checkride.
- Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate (and an Instrument Rating for the CFI and CFII).
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be able to read, speak, write, and understand English.
- Hold a current FAA medical certificate appropriate to your privileges.
- Pass the FAA Fundamentals of Instructing and applicable flight instructor knowledge exams.
- Complete the required ground and flight training and earn an instructor endorsement to test.
- Pass the FAA flight instructor practical test (checkride).
Flight Instructor Curriculum
Instructor training is as much about teaching as it is about flying. You will learn the Fundamentals of Instructing, develop lesson plans, and practice delivering effective instruction from the right seat, then prove it on a demanding checkride.
Fundamentals of Instructing
The learning process, teaching methods, and how to evaluate and develop students.
Right-Seat Flying
Fly and teach maneuvers from the instructor seat, a new and essential skill set.
Lesson Planning
Build and deliver complete lesson plans and ground briefings to FAA standards.
Checkride Prep
Intensive mock checkrides and oral review for one of aviation's most thorough practical tests.
Flight Instructor Pricing
Clear pricing for the instructor program with financing available so you can invest in your career on your schedule.
Hiring Pathway: We Hire Our Graduates
Here is what sets our instructor program apart. Flight School LA hires our own graduates as instructors. When you earn your certificates with us and demonstrate the right skills and professionalism, you can step straight into a paid instructing role on our Van Nuys flight line. That means a direct path from training to a paycheck and a steady stream of students so you build hours quickly.
Direct Hiring
Strong graduates are invited to join our instructor team and start earning right away.
Steady Students
An active, busy school means consistent flying and faster hour-building.
Airline Track
Build the time you need with us and move on toward your airline goals.
Continue Your Training
Flight Instructor Questions
Do you really hire your own graduates?
What is the difference between CFI, CFII, and MEI?
Do I need a commercial certificate first?
How does instructing help my airline goals?
Is financing available?
Ready to Get Paid to Fly?
Earn your CFI, CFII, and MEI with the Los Angeles team pilots have trusted for 15+ years, and you could instruct with us. Book a discovery flight or a free consultation today.