The Flight Instructor Rating course comprises 30 hours of flight training and 125 hours of theoretical knowledge instruction, with a two hour allowance added to cover the final Skill Test. Applicants for this course must either already hold a CPL, or have at least passed the CPL (or ATPL) theoretical knowledge examinations and have a minimum flying experience of 250 hours helicopter (of which at least 100 must have been flown as pilot in command). Instructor students are trained in pairs allowing the maximum opportunity to practice teaching techniques in the classroom and to observe them in the air.

The course is structured in three phases. Phase 1 covers all the syllabus requirements for teaching and learning, and is largely conducted in the classroom. Phase 2 deals with all the theoretical knowledge that is required from an Instructor teaching the Private Pilot’s Licence (PPL). This will involve a thorough revision of all the subjects studied during CPL (or ATPL) ground training, then instruction in how to teach these to PPL students. Phase 3 covers the complete practical flying syllabus through a full series of long briefings and air exercises.

The trainee Instructor will be taught how to teach and fly all 23 exercises that make up the current JAA PPL syllabus.