As a qualified flight instructor, you’ll be authorised to conduct flight training for pilot licences and applicable ratings and endorsements under CASA Part 61 regulations, playing a critical role in aviation safety and training standards.
Whether your goal is to build hours toward the airlines or pursue a long-term career in flight training, the instructor rating is one of the most valuable and respected qualifications in aviation.
A Flight Instructor Rating allows you to deliver both ground and in-flight training to student pilots. This includes teaching core flying skills, conducting briefings, supervising solo flights, and assessing pilot competency.
In Australia, instructors operate under structured training endorsements and grading systems, beginning typically as a Grade 3 instructor and progressing to more senior roles with greater privileges over time.
Beyond just flying, this rating develops your ability to communicate, assess performance, and manage risk — all essential skills for professional aviation.
If you already hold an instructor rating, the Central Coast Aero Club can assist with the following FIR training endorsements:
The initial issue of a Flight Instructor Rating is typically paired with a Grade 3 training endorsement and that is what is reflected in the price below. If you would like to add one of the above training endorsements to your flight instructor rating please contact us for a price.
| Component | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Flight Instructor Rating (Initial Grade 3) | $28,500 |
| Price is competency based and does not include spin endorsement or PMI course. | |
Courses run throughout the year, contact us to enquire about the next course start date.
June 2026 Course:
Our next flight instructor rating course is likely to start in June. The course runs 3 days a week (Mon to Wed) and on average takes 3 months to complete.
If the above course schedule doesn’t work for you, then contact us to come up with a plan to complete your FIR training.
Your training is designed to develop both your instructional ability and your technical flying standard, ensuring you can confidently teach others.
You’ll learn how to effectively teach aviation theory and brief student pilots through structured lessons. These lessons involve both long briefs and pre-flight briefs
This includes:
Your flight training focuses on demonstrating, teaching, and correcting fundamental flying sequences. You’ll develop the ability to:
Training typically includes a combination of dual instruction and ground theory.
Your training follows a structured, competency-based approach designed to prepare you for real-world instruction.
You’ll undertake both instructional theory on the ground and practical teaching scenarios in the air.
As your confidence grows, you’ll move into delivering full lessons, managing student workload, and refining your communication skills.
Throughout the course, the focus is not just on flying ability, but on your ability to teach, assess, and adapt to different student learning styles.
A Flight Instructor Rating opens multiple pathways within aviation, offering both immediate opportunities and long-term career progression. Many pilots choose instructing as a way to build experience toward airline roles, while others continue developing within the training environment, progressing through instructor grades to become senior instructors, examiners, or heads of operations.
As you gain experience, you’ll expand your privileges through additional training endorsements and higher instructor grades, significantly increasing your scope within the industry. Beyond career progression, becoming a flight instructor is one of the most effective ways to build high-quality flying hours while deepening your understanding of aviation fundamentals.
The role also develops critical skills that extend well beyond flying, including leadership, communication, and decision-making. You’ll play a direct role in shaping the next generation of pilots, contributing to both their success and the broader safety of the aviation industry. For many, instructing becomes more than just a stepping stone — it’s a rewarding profession in its own right.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your aviation career, the Flight Instructor Rating is where flying meets teaching. Our team will guide you through every stage of the process, from preparing for the PIRC exam through to flight test readiness, ensuring you graduate confident, capable, and ready to begin instructing.
At the completion of your training, you’ll undertake a CASA Flight Instructor Rating flight test. This assessment is designed to evaluate your ability to teach and communicate effectively, while also demonstrating a high standard of flying, sound decision-making, and strong safety management. You’ll also be assessed on your understanding and application of instructional techniques in real training scenarios.
On successful completion, you’ll be issued with a Flight Instructor Rating with a training endorsement, allowing you to begin instructing under supervision and take the first step into your career as a flight instructor.
Take the next step with a Flight Instructor Rating and start building valuable flight hours while developing the skills to teach and mentor future pilots. Speak with our team today to discuss your pathway, training timeline, and how we can support you from your first briefing through to flight test and beyond.
Most full-time courses run for around 10–14 weeks, depending on weather, availability, and student progression.
Yes, a Commercial Pilot Licence (or higher) is typically required for most FIR training endorsements.
Training usually includes around 35 hours of flight training, along with over 100 hours of extensive ground briefing and instructional development.
Yes – instructing is one of the most effective ways to build flight hours while being paid.
You’ll begin as a junior instructor (typically Grade 3) and can progress to higher grades with experience and additional training endorsements.
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