Keep a careful eye on your instructor rating expiry date - otherwise the result could be expensive
An instructor renewal requires you to pass a Instructor Proficiency Check and attend at an Instructor Seminar

Renewal (rating has expired)

Prior to commencing this process it is advisable to contact the CAA if your rating has expired by more than 5 years (see note). If it is less than 5 years then we can offer the following guidance:

• Recently expired (ie. a few months, weeks or days). Pass an Instructor Skill Test with an FIE (Flight Instructor Examiner) and attend an Instructor Refresher Seminar. Complete the items in any order but with a maximum of 12 months between each item
  
  
• Expired by up to 5 years. We recommend attending an Instructor Refresher Seminar then completing refresher training before attempting the Instructor Skill Test. But they can be done in any order
  
  
• Expired by 5 years or more. First contact the CAA for personal assessment (see note). Renewal requirements will be as for 'Expired by up to 5 years' above
  
  
• Instructor rating and Single Pilot Aeroplane (SPA)** rating have both expired. You should renew your SPA rating before you renew your instructor rating. You are required to pass a Proficiency Check with a Flight Examiner (FE) to renew the SPA rating and pass an Instructor Skill Test and attend an Instructor Refresher Seminar to renew the Instructor rating

** The SPA rating can be either a Type (TBM700) or Class rating (SEP (Single Engine Piston) Land) which is flown with a single pilot. The SEP (Land) is the same as the old Group A rating

Note: It is more than likely that the CAA will advise you to contact an FTO who provides instructor training courses for details of the renewal requirements. It is important that you go through this process in the first instance to allow the CAA to make that decision. Furthermore, put your request in writing and do not telephone. This way you will have written evidence to back you up if subsequently it turns out the CAA have advised you incorrectly - as if the CAA ever get it wrong ! ! !

Flying and Theoretical Knowledge Training

Mandatory training as required by the CAA or refresher training as agreed between the candidate and the Flying Training Organisation (FTO).

Instructor Skill Test / Proficiency Check

The candidate must pass an Instructor Skill Test with an FIE. The contents of the Skill Test include:

(a) Theoretical Knowledge Oral including a 45 minute lecture (Subjects chosen from the JAA PPL syllabus)

(b) Pre-Flight Briefing (Exercise from JAA PPL syllabus)

(c) The Flight (To include pre-briefed exercise from JAA PPL syllabus) aerobatics, spinning and IF (including a precision or non-precision approach)

(d) Post Flight De-briefing (Students performance)

(e) Result and candidate de-brief

Note: The instructor Skill Test / Proficiency Check must be completed with a maximum of 12 months from the date of the instructor seminar

Instructor Refresher Seminar

In addition to the Instructor Skill Test / Proficiency Check the candidate must attend an CAA Approved Instructor Refresher Seminar. This can be completed before or after the Instructor Skill Test / Proficiency Check (See Instructor Seminars for details of On-Track Avaition Limited seminar dates and venues). The seminar must be completed with a maximum of 12 months from the date of the instructor Skill Test / Proficiency Check

References

JAR-FCL 1

 

 

LASORS

Instructional Techniques For The Flight Instructor by John Halstead and Alan Newton (click here for details)

AOPA (UK) Aerobatic Certificate Syllabus

 

Night Flying Manual and Syllabus by R D Campbell

Validty

3 years

Privileges

FI (R) / AFI

May instruct:

(i) ab-initio students for issue of PPL (A)

(ii) on those parts of an integrated course at PPL (A) level

(iii) for class and type ratings SE aeroplanes

(iv) night flying (if night instructor qualified)
(v) aerobatics (if aerobatic instructor qualified)

 

FI (R) / AFI (Restrictions)

(i) must be supervised by an FI

(ii) can not authorise first solo flight by day or night

(iii) can not authorise first solo navigation by day or night

Note: For details on how to remove Restriction (R) see Restriction Removal

FI

May instruct ab-initio students and licence holders in accordance with the instructional privileges held

Revalidation (rating has not expired)

Complete 2 of the following requirements:

(a) completed 100 hours of flight instruction during period of validity including at least 30 hours within the 12 months preceding expiry, 10 hours of this 30 hours shall be instrument flight instruction if teaching for IR

(b) attend an Instructor Refresher Seminar within the 3 year rating validity period

(c) pass an Instructor Proficiency Check within 12 months preceding rating expiry.

Note: Each alternative revalidation must include an Instructor Proficiency Check as one of the two requirements.