rickB

Just curious on what the FAA requires for a CFI to obtain a gold seal certificate.

Today I went into the FSDO and got my Advanced Ground Instructor certificate and then was following up saying I wanted my CFI gold seal and they said I needed to instruct 2 years... ***. I've got 13/14 signoffs and have been instructing for 6 months... Looked it up in their advisory circular and I still don't understand how it works. Here is the paragraph about of 61-65e:

21. GOLD SEAL FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATES (EXCEPT THOSE WITH A SPORT PILOT RATING). The specific requirements for the gold seal flight instructor certificate (except those with a sport pilot rating) are contained in FAA Order 8700.1, General Aviation Operations Inspector’s Handbook, volume 2, chapter 13 and FAA Order 8710.3, Designated Pilot and Flight Engineer Examiner’s Handbook, chapter 14. Flight instructor certificates bearing distinctive gold seals are issued to flight instructors who have maintained a high level of flight training activity and who meet special criteria. Once issued, a gold seal flight instructor certificate will be reissued each time the instructor’s certificate is renewed. Applicants for gold seal flight instructor certificates must meet the following requirements: a. The flight instructor must hold a commercial pilot certificate with an instrument rating (glider flight instructors need not hold an instrument rating) or an ATP certificate;b. The flight instructor must hold a ground instructor certificate with an advanced or instrument ground instructor rating; and c. The flight instructor must have accomplished the following within the previous 24 calendar-months: (1) Trained and recommended at least 10 applicants for a practical test, and at least 80 percent of the applicants passed their tests on the first attempt;

(2)

(3) A combination of the above requirements. (Two practical tests conducted equal the credit given for one applicant trained and recommended for a practical test.)


I have met the underlined and bold requirements. The FAA always leaves gray areas in their FAR's. Within the previous 24 months from what I understand is anytime in the PREVIOUS 24 months which I have done all my instructing in? ***! lol

the King

Why not wait for another year? The gold seal counts for renewal anyway, so I'd just wait. 2 birds with one stone....

Ottopilot

That's about all its good for. It doesn't mean you are good instructor, it could mean you work at a "ticket factory".

rickair7777

What otto said...those advanced instructor designations are mostly for professional CFI's who want to differentiate themselves from time-building kids so they can justify charging $60 instead of $25. Not that there's anything wrong with that...experience certainly counts.

Unless you're planning on freelancing, it won't do much for you in professional aviation.

multipilot

You have to instruct for 2 years. I have my gold seal and it allowed for some good conversation during interviews. If you get hired on somewhere just hang on to your signoffs until the end of that 24 months, you're required to anyway for 3 years, and present them to a FSDO to get your gold seal and renew your CFI. That way you can avoid the 300+ bucks to renew it online. Then when you get furloughed you won't have to worry about renewing your CFI through a FSDO practical test as most of my friends are worried about right now.

insanelyradical

You need an 80% pass rate with at least 10 sign offs. There are no time requirements. I just got mine last week. You have to make an appointment and actually go into the FSDO.

Ewfflyer

dang, I could get this then........I have 12 total sign-off's, 100% Yippee!!!