N4397R Cessna 172M student with certificate and instructor

Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) at Eagle Aircraft Flight Academy

Become a CFI at Eagle Aircraft. Build hours for the airlines while teaching others to fly at our professional FAA training center at KVPZ in Valparaiso, IN.

Certified Flight Instructor

Transition to a Professional Educator

The Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate is a primary pathway for pilots to gain experience while preparing for airline hiring. At Eagle Aircraft, we focus on developing skilled educators who can effectively train the next generation of pilots while building the time necessary to meet ATP minimums.

Our CFI program is primarily conducted under FAA Part 61, allowing for a flexible, proficiency-based approach that emphasizes ground knowledge and right-seat mastery.

Program Benefits

  • Primary Part 61 training: 10-15 flight hours, 40+ ground hours
  • Right-seat proficiency and teaching from instructor position
  • Student error recognition and correction techniques
  • Instructor employment opportunities at Eagle Aircraft
  • Build flight time to meet ATP minimums
  • Typical CFI earnings range from $24,000–$28,000 annually

Prerequisites

  • Valid Commercial Pilot Certificate
  • Instrument Rating (required)
  • Current FAA medical certificate (2nd class minimum)
  • 250+ total flight hours
  • Strong communication and teaching aptitude

Key Details

Duration 4-8 weeks
Cost $8,000 – $11,000*
*Contact us for your personalized pricing estimate
The Eagle Aircraft Advantage
Professional Mentorship

The Eagle Aircraft Advantage

Train under Eagle Aircraft’s experienced instructors. Our team focuses on safe aeronautical decision-making and professional standards, ensuring you are prepared for the responsibilities of a flight instructor.

Instructors at Eagle Aircraft typically build an average of 70 flight hours per month. We pride ourselves on transparency regarding career expectations and earning potential in our region.

What's Included

CFI Training Breakdown

The program is split between mastering flight maneuvers from the right seat and developing the deep technical knowledge required to teach.

01

Flight Training (10–15 Hours)

  • Right-seat operations and perspective adjustment
  • Explaining and demonstrating maneuvers simultaneously
  • Error recognition and student correction techniques
  • Mastery of Private and Commercial maneuvers from the right seat
02

Ground Instruction (40+ Hours)

  • Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI): learning theory and behavior
  • Lesson Planning and curriculum management
  • Advanced technical subject matter mastery
  • Mastery of aerodynamics, regulations, and weather explanations
Career Opportunities

Instructor Employment & Growth

Hiring Our Graduates

We frequently hire our own graduates based on their performance, safety record, and professionalism during training. This allows you to build hours consistently toward your 1,500-hour goal.

Benefits of Instructing at Eagle

Joining our team of professional instructors offers several advantages for your career progression:

  • Build approximately 70 flight hours per month
  • Gain experience in professional Part 141 and 61 environments
  • Opportunities to add CFII and MEI ratings
  • Mentor-based environment with senior staff

Proven Track Record

Eagle Aircraft has trained over 4,000 pilots. We utilize our fleet of 9 aircraft to provide consistent training and employment opportunities for our staff.

4,000+
Pilots Trained
Training Roadmap

CFI Certification Steps

The CFI rating moves beyond stick-and-rudder skills into the psychology and methodology of teaching flight.

1

Phase 1: Fundamentals & Ground Mastery

  • Mastery of Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI)
  • Pass FOI and FIA written exams
  • Develop complete library of lesson plans
2

Phase 2: Right-Seat Flight Proficiency

  • Transition to the right seat 'instructor view'
  • Practice 'flying and talking' simultaneously
  • Maneuver mastery to ACS standards from instructor seat
3

Phase 3: Checkride Preparation

  • Final review of technical knowledge
  • Practice oral examinations with senior instructors
  • FAA Practical Test with a DPE
Final Outcome: FAA Certified Flight Instructor Certificate
Ready to Lead the Next Generation?
Start Teaching

Ready to Lead the Next Generation?

Join our elite team of educators and start building the flight time needed for your airline career.

CFI INFO

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CFI program Part 141 or Part 61?

At Eagle Aircraft, we typically conduct CFI training under Part 61 to focus on individual proficiency and ground instruction time.

How many hours will I fly during training?

Most students require 10–15 flight hours to become proficient in the right seat.

How many hours can I build per month as an instructor?

On average, our active instructors build approximately 70 flight hours per month.

What is the typical pass rate for the CFI checkride?

The CFI checkride is rigorous; we work closely with our Chief Instructor to ensure every candidate meets the high FAA standards.

Your Aviation Career Starts Here

Train in the U.S. with Eagle Aircraft & iFly

World-class flight training for American and international students, now united through a global partnership.

OUR STATE-OF-THE-ART AICRAFTS

MEET THE Eagle Aircraft Flight Academy FLEET

Our fleet is meticulously maintained to the highest standards, combining reliability, safety, and modern avionics to deliver a premium training experience. Each aircraft is selected to support pilots at every phase of their journey, from foundational skills to advanced flight operations.

Meet Our Fleet
Military aircraft in flight