Before a pilot is permitted to give instruction for a license or rating he / she shall hold an instructors rating in accordance with JAR-FCL 1. To give ab-initio instruction for license issue a pilot shall hold at least an FI (R) rating.

Pre-Course Entry Requirements

Before being permitted to begin an approved course of training for a FI (R) rating the candidate shall have:

1. at least a CPL(A) or completed at least 200 hours of flight time of which at least 150 hours shall be as PIC if holding a PPL(A).
2. met the knowledge requirements for a CPL as set out in JAR FCL 1.470(b).
3. completed at least 30 hours on SEP powered aeroplanes of which at least 5 hours shall have been completed during the 6 months preceding the pre-entry flight test set out in (6) below.
4. received at least 10 hours instrument flight instruction of which not more than 5 hours may be instrument ground time in a flight simulator or FNPT II.
5. completed at least 20 hours of cross-country flight as PIC including a flight totaling not less than 540 km (300 nm) in the course of which full stop landings at 2 different airfields shall be made.
6. passed a pre-entry flight test as set out in Appendix 3 JAR FCL 1.240 conducted by an FIC qualified instructor within 6 months preceding the start of the course. The flight test will assess the ability of the candidate to undertake the course.

Ground Training

The mandatory training for the FI rating course requires a total of 125 hours of ground instruction. The subjects covered during the course will include Teaching and Learning and Training Administration and the following theoretical knowledge subjects from the PPL syllabus:

Air Law, Aeroplane General Knowledge, Flight Performance and Planning, Human Performance and Limitations, Meteorology, Navigation, Operational Procedures, Principles of Flight and Communications.

During the course the student instructor will practice giving ground lectures in the above subjects from the PPL syllabus to the FIC instructor giving the course.

Flight Training

The flight training element of the FI (R) rating course consists of 30 hours of which 5 hours may be mutual flying (that is 2 candidates flying together to practice flight demonstrations).

Instructor Skill Test

On satisfactory completion of the flight and ground training the candidate must pass an Instructor Skill Test with an FIE (Flight Instructor Examiner). 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 plus other exercises or parts there of)

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

(e) Result and candidate de-brief

References

1. JAR-FCL 1
2. Flying Training Instructor Manual by R D Campbell 
3. Air Pilots Manual Vol 1-7
4. Cyprus AIPs 
5. LASORS

Validty: 3 years.

Privileges:

FI (Restricted) - May instruct:

1. ab-initio students for issue of PPL (A)
2. on those parts of an integrated course at PPL (A) level
3. for class and type ratings SE aeroplanes
4. night flying (if night instructor qualified)
5. aerobatics (if aerobatic instructor qualified)

Restrictions (R)

1. must be supervised by an FI
2. can not authorize first solo flight by day or night
3. can not authorize 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 license holders in accordance with the instructional privileges held

Revalidation (the rating has not lapsed)

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 instruction for an IR if privileges to instruct for IR are to be revalidated (see note 3)

(b) attend an instructor refresher seminar approved by the CYPRUS D.C.A within the 3 year rating validity period

(c) pass an instructor proficiency check within 12 months preceding rating expiry (see note 2)

Notes:

1. An instructor proficiency check must be included as part of the revalidation requirements at every alternate revalidation.
2. An instructor proficiency check must be included as part of the first revalidation after the initial issue of the instructor rating.

Renewal (the rating has lapsed)

Complete both of the following requirements within 12 months preceding rating renewal:

(a) attend an instructor refresher seminar approved by CYPRUS D.C.A

(b) pass an instructor proficiency check

Restriction Removal

When issued with an FI (R) rating the candidate has certain privileges (see Privileges) and restrictions (see Restrictions) applied to the rating. In order to remove the restrictions from the F.I. (R) rating the candidate is required to complete the following items:

(a) Complete at least 100 hours flight instruction.

(b) Supervise at least 25 student solo flights (not first solo day, night or navigation)

(c) Recommendation from the supervising FI.

(d) Complete Instructor Form.

This is a paperwork exercise and does not involve any flight test.