Class Rating Instructor

If you are looking for the easiest way to become an aviation instructor, you need to become Class Rating Instructor for general aviation aeroplane. This course is usually taken by either private pilots wishing to teach towards the class ratings or by an experienced airline pilots.

Training concept

The CRI training course is designed to give adequate training to the applicant in theoretical knowledge instruction, flight instruction and FSTD instruction to instruct for any class rating or type rating, except for single-pilot high-performance complex aeroplanes, for which the applicant is qualified.

The flight training should be aimed at ensuring that the applicant is able to teach the air exercises safely and efficiently to students undergoing a course of training for the issue of a class rating or type rating, except for single-pilot high-performance complex aeroplanes. You will learn how to identify common errors and how to correct them properly. In addition the course instructor will be stressing the proper airmanship and TEM application at the appropriate times during each flight. 

Class Rating Instructor training consists of three parts.

• Part 1: Teaching and learning  AMC1 FCL.920;
• Part 2: Technical theoretical knowledge instruction (technical training);
• Part 3: Flight instruction.

The Teaching and Learning module can be attended indenpendently on the CRI course. Should you are a holder of any EASA instructor certificate - e.g. MCCI or TRI, you will be fully exempted from attending the Teaching and learning module.

Part 2 and Part 3 are complementary to eachother. Duration of Part 3 depends on the class rating you are wishing to instruct at.

Note: FSTDs should not be used to pass an instructor assessment of competence on the class of aircraft.

Privileges

 This instructor certificate allows the holder to provide class-specific flight training. The privileges of Class Rating Instructor holder are granted by FCL.905.CRI.

• the issue, revalidation or renewal of a class or type rating for single-pilot aeroplanes, except for single-pilot high performance complex aeroplanes, when the privileges sought by the applicant are to fly in single-pilot operations;
• a towing or aerobatic rating for the aeroplanes, provided you are a holder of the relevant rating and you have demonstrated the ability to instruct for that rating to an FI qualified in accordance with FCL.905.FI(i).
• extension of LAPL(A) privileges to another class or variant of aeroplane.

In addition, the Class Rating Instructor can provide the differences training and the ‘dual flight with an instructor’ as required by the SEP(land), TMG or MEP(land) class rating.

The privileges of CRIs are also to instruct for class ratings and type ratings for single-pilot aeroplanes, except for single-pilot high-performance complex aeroplanes, in multi-pilot operations, provided that CRIs meet any of the following conditions:

• hold or have held a TRI certificate for multi-pilot aeroplanes;
• have at least 500 hours on aeroplanes in multi-pilot operations and completed an MCCI training course in accordance with point FCL.930.MCCI.

This applies for the training towards the single pilot certified aeroplane with operation concept in multi-pilot operations such as  Cessna 208 or Pilatus PC-12 and similar.

Limitations

A Class Rating Instructor cannot instruct ab-initio trainees applying for the license. CRI can only teach those who already hold a valid pilot's license.
Class Rating Instructor with single engine privileges who holds both landplane and seaplane privileges may carry out training flight and sign logbooks for the flight with an instructor requirement for re-validation of the SEP(land) and SEP(sea) class ratings.

Extension of CRI privileges

The privileges of a CRI are restricted to the class or type of aeroplane in which the instructor assessment of competence was taken. Your CRI privileges may be extended to further classes or types when you have completed, within the last 12 months:

• 15 hours flight time as PIC on aeroplanes of the applicable class or type of aeroplane;
• one training flight from the right hand seat under the supervision of another CRI or FI qualified for that class or type occupying the other pilot’s seat.

CRI Validity

The validity of your Class Rating Instructor certificate is 3 years. 

Revalidation

To revalidate your CRI certificate, you need to fulfil, within the validity period of the CRI certificate, at least two out of the following three requirements:

• conduct at least 10 hours of flight instruction as a CRI. If applicants have CRI privileges on both single-engine and multi-engine aeroplanes, those hours of flight instruction shall be equally divided between single-engine and multi-engine aeroplanes;
• complete a refresher training as a CRI at ProfiPilot Training;
• pass the instructor assessment of competence in accordance with point FCL.935

For at least each alternate revalidation of a CRI certificate, you have to comply with the assessment of competence requirement.