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Best flight instructor certifications
The best certifications for a flight instructor are Instructor, Certified Aviation Manager (CAM), and Flight Engineer (FE).
Flight instructor certifications demonstrate your competency as a flight instructor to employers. However, not all flight instructor certifications provide the same value.
Below is a list of the best flight instructor certifications. Obtaining a flight instructor certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
6 best certifications for flight instructors
| Rank | Flight instructor certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Instructor | NAUI |
| 2 | Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) | NBAA |
| 3 | Flight Engineer (FE) | FAA |
| 4 | Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII) | NAFI |
| 5 | Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX) | FAA |
| 6 | Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RP) | FCC |
6 best flight instructor certifications
1. Instructor
A NAUI Instructor is a person dedicated to the motto of "Dive Safety Through Education"; a person whom others look to for leadership and knowledge. NAUI has always been and remains today the most prestigious agency focusing on diving instruction. You can share the adventure - and help create it! If you believe your work should be enjoyable and exciting, if you are eager to share your knowledge with others, if you believe that to train the best you must be among the best trained, join the finest. Join the adventure!
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
2. Certified Aviation Manager (CAM)
NBAA's Certified Aviation Manager (CAM) Program identifies qualified professionals to lead flight departments and companies that use business aircraft. Join the ranks of esteemed aviation professionals who have already been recognized as Certified Aviation Managers and apply for the CAM Exam today.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
3. Flight Engineer (FE)
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
4. Certified Fire Investigation Instructor (CFII)
Certification provides the participant with basic skills that are essential if the CFEI will be providing training and education programs to other investigators, public education programs to a variety of audiences, or presenting information to others that do not have a technical background in fire and explosion investigation.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
5. Aircraft Dispatcher (ADX)
Aircraft Dispatcher is an entry level certification and is required for all Aircraft Dispatchers to demonstrate and pass a written and oral exam to receive their license. This certificate also introduces the applicant to an array of crucial components within the FAA and airport operations. Most applicants will attend an Aircraft Dispatchers five (5) week course and take multiple field trips to local area airline operational control centers. Upon completing the course, the student will be an expert in reading and interpreting Meteorological Terminal Aviation Routine Weather Report (METAR), Terminal Area Forecast (TAF) forecasts, and many important aviation weather maps, which are used in daily airline Flight Dispatch offices. Both Domestic and Global Navigation Systems are covered thoroughly, as well as the North Atlantic Track System (NATS). NOTAMs and Pilot Reports are also covered during the course.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
6. Restricted Radiotelephone Operator Permit (RP)
RP holders are authorized to operate most aircraft and aeronautical ground stations. They can also operate marine radiotelephone stations aboard pleasure craft (other than those carrying more than six passengers for hire on the Great Lakes or bays or tidewaters or in the open sea) when operator licensing is required. An RP is NOT needed to operate the following: a voluntarily equipped ship or aircraft station (including a CAP station) which operates only on VHF frequencies and does not make foreign voyages or flights.an aeronautical ground or coast station which operates only on VHF frequencies.on-board stations.a marine utility station unless it is taken aboard a vessel which makes a foreign voyage.a survival craft station when using telephony or an emergency position indicating radiobeacon (EPIRB) station.a ship radar station, if the operating frequency is determined by a fixed tuned device and the radar is capable of being operated by only external controls.shore radar, shore radiolocation, maritime support, or shore radio-navigation stations.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
What is the best certification for a flight instructor?
The best flight instructor certification is Instructor. The Instructor is awarded by the National Association of Underwater Instructors.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this flight instructor certification:
- To become a certified Instructor, you need to pass the exam.
- This certificate requires more than two years of work experience.
- No renewal for certification, if you earn it once it is valid all time.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for flight instructors?
The most in-demand flight instructor certification is Instructor based on all active job postings. Having this flight instructor certification will give you access to more flight instructor jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a flight instructor career and salary?
The Certified Aviation Manager certification will help you to secure a first officer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A first officer's average salary is $81,284 whereas flight instructors make an average salary of $51,324.
The most common combination of flight instructor certifications include: Instructor, Certified Aviation Manager (CAM), and Flight Engineer (FE).
Online courses for flight instructors to earn certifications
1. Flight Mechanics - From Theory to Certification of Aircraft
Modeling theory, aircraft 6DOF simulation, flight dynamics, flight simulators and aircraft certification...
2. Airline Operations: Flight Planning and Flight Dispatch
Airline Operations: Master the essentials of aviation - aircraft operational control and dispatch...
3. Part 1 FAA Private Pilot Ground School (Part 61)
Introduction to flight training, Aircraft Structure, Systems and Flight Instruments...
4. Phantom & Mavic Flightschool - flight training & Go4 app
Master your flying skills & the DJI Go flight modes like Tapfly, Active Track, Waypoints, Point of interest & more!...
5. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Fundamentals and Advanced
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Mechanics of Airplanes - Aerodynamics, Flight Maneuvers, JET Engines...
6. Aerospace Engineering: Aircraft Systems and Avionics
Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineering: Master the Systems of Airplanes - Hydraulics, Avionics, Electric, Propulsion...
7. Introduction to 2 & 3D Drone Modeling With Agisoft Metashape
Building 2D & 3D Models with drone images and Metashape. Drone flight setups and basic modeling with Metashape...
8. (Core) 4hr FAA Part 107 Knowledge Test Prep for Drone Pilots
Save time, skip fluff & learn the important stuff...
9. Instructional Design for Classroom Training
Design effective and engaging in-person classroom training sessions and learning experiences from scratch...
10. Amadeus GDS Training Amadeus Course Amadeus Tutorial
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Write Golden Training Curriculum that's Easier to Learn and More Enjoyable to Teach...
14. Instructional Design Pro (Part 3): No Beginners Allowed!
Write Golden Training Curriculum that's Easier to Learn and More Enjoyable to Teach...
15. Customer Service Success: Take Your Skills to the Next Level
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16. UAS FAR 107 FAA Drone Exam Preparation - INCLUDES NEW RULES
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17. Instructional Design Pro (Part 2): No Beginners Allowed!
Write Golden Training Curriculum that's Easier to Learn and More Enjoyable to Teach...
18. Intuitive Curriculum Development: Make it Easy to Understand
A Time-Tested and Research Based Approach To Making Difficult Concepts Easy To Understand...
19. Customer Service, Customer Support, And Customer Experience
Customer service, customer support, and customer experience training. Loyal clients through world-class customer service...
20. UAS/Drone Remote Pilot Test Prep for Part 107
Don't learn just enough to pass the exam (updated 2023)...