Earn your Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate with Highlands Aero at KVJI. Structured ground, spin endorsement, and real-world teaching prep in the Pipistrel Alpha Trainer.

Flight Instructor (CFI Initial)

Take the left seat as a teacher — guide, inspire, and shape the next generation of pilots.

Become a Certified Flight Instructor

Earning your Flight Instructor (CFI) certificate is a major milestone — transforming you from a pilot into a professional aviation educator. At Highlands Aero, our CFI Initial program emphasizes both technical mastery and teaching skill, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the FAA practical test and real-world instruction.

You’ll train under experienced, FAA-certified instructors with proven track records in developing new CFIs, using a structured approach that blends ground school, simulator sessions, and flight training in our Pipistrel Alpha Trainer and advanced training tools.

Program Highlights

• Aircraft: Pipistrel Alpha Trainer (LSA) and applicable single-engine aircraft

• Location: Virginia Highlands Airport (KVJI)

• Training Format: Part 61 – flexible, personalized program structure

• Includes: Lesson plan templates, endorsement guides, FOI review materials

• Focus: Mastery of Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI), lesson delivery, and CFI-level maneuvers

Eligibility & Prerequisites

To enroll, you must:

• Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate (Single-Engine Land)

• Hold at least a Current FAA Medical Certificate or BasicMed

• Have recent flight experience within the past 60 days

• Be proficient in Private and Commercial-level maneuvers

What You’ll Learn

• Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI)

• Lesson Planning and Delivery Techniques

• Endorsements and Logbook Documentation

• CFI-Level Airwork (stalls, slow flight, ground reference, performance maneuvers)

• Spin Awareness and Recovery Training (includes spin endorsement)

• Scenario-Based Teaching & Checkride Prep

Program Duration & Pricing

• Average Completion Time: 10–15 flight hours + 20–25 hours of ground instruction (varies by experience)

• Aircraft Rate: $155/hr (wet)

• Instruction Rate: $70hr

• Scheduling: Flexible weekday and weekend availability

Accelerated options available — complete your CFI in as little as 2 weeks, depending on proficiency and weather.

Why Highlands Aero

• Train with an experienced instructor in both single-engine and multi-engine training

• Scenario-based approach focused on real-world teaching applications

• Personalized instruction with a small student-to-instructor ratio

• Comprehensive lesson plan kit and endorsement packet included

• Located at KVJI — ideal for training in a variety of airspace and terrain conditions

Ready to Begin?

• Start your journey toward becoming a professional instructor today.