Walked out of the FSDO yesterday with a shiny new license. For those that asked, the license reads: "FLIGHT INSTRUCTOR". In the ratings and limitations section it will further define your license. For instance mine says "AIRPLANE SINGLE AND MULTIENGINE; INSTRUMENT AIRPLANE". Be sure to take proof instructor qualifications in ANY aircraft class or category that you claim on your 8710. The FSDO's are still learning the process and their 8900.1 order has not been updated - so be patient but persistent!

It takes a little time and effort but is worth it. I've been retired 4 years. Used the www.sheppardair.com prep. Can't say enough about those gents. BTW - they have a great FE prep - if and when FEDEX starts hiring again!

I went to my FSDO today and also received my shinny new license.

Very easy process. Sheppard Air has all the gouge on what to take and the inspector was very pleased that I had it all organized and ready to go. I was also the first one to do this at my FSDO.

It took them longer to get their printer to work than it did for the paperwork!!

Hound is spot on! I used Sheppard Air for my FE Written. It took me only 6 minutes to take the test and I got a 100%. Like I've said before...Mike is a stand-up guy.

I agree that you only need a Third class to be PIC while instructing.

However, to be PAID for flight instructing while PIC, I believe that you need the Second class medical, since you are acting as a commercial pilot.

Joe

Negative. FAA considers flight instruction as OUTSIDE the scope of commercial pilot duty. Even acting as PIC while instructing, instruction is not considered under the perview of commercial compensation, therefore only a third class medical would be required to act as PIC. Thence why I can charge a fee for primary instruction (PIC implied) and not have a second class medical. In other words, I do not need a second class medical to conduct flight instruction for compensation. Any other activity for compensation, yes I would need a commercial certificate and the appropriate medical class to be able to excercise the priviledge of a commercial certificate. It is a flight instructor specific priviledge.

The FAR legal precedent for this is that a student pilot is NOT considered a passenger, therefore the duties that involve " the carriage of property and/or passengers for hire" is NOT excercised. As such, no commercial priviledges excercised (getting compensated alone is not a commercial-qualifying criteria, like most people incorrectly infer) therefore no second class required. Plenty of FAA Q&A documentation on this subject available from the FAA if you want word from the horse.

Happy flying.

What is the Sheppard Air Question bank down to now?

481 questions. No surprises on the test.

Cool. Thanks Skunk.

Bayou

Now just make it so we can do the same thing for the ATP rating racket and it's all good :)

Be advised that the FSDO's are starting to put a "centerline thrust only" restriction on these new flight instructor certificates. Kind of odd, but it is the new guidance from D.C.