FCL.915.FI FI – Prerequisites

An applicant for an FI certificate shall:

(a) in the case of the FI(A) and FI(H):

[applicable until 17 February 2026 - Regulation (EU) 2024/2076]

(a) in the case of the FI(A), FI(H) and FI(G):

[applicable from 18 February 2026 - Regulation (EU) 2025/134]

(1) have received at least 10 hours of instrument flight instruction on the appropriate aircraft category, of which not more than 5 hours may be instrument ground time in an FSTD;

(2) have completed 20 hours of VFR cross-country flight on the appropriate aircraft category as PIC; and

(b) additionally, for the FI(A):

(1) hold at least a CPL(A); or

(2) hold at least a PPL(A), or hold an MPL with additional PPL privileges in accordance with point FCL.405.A(b)(1), and have complied with the following conditions:

(i) except for an FI(A) providing training for the LAPL(A) only, passed the CPL theoretical knowledge examination, which may be taken without completing a CPL theoretical knowledge training course and which in that case shall not be valid for any of the following:

(A) the issue of a CPL;

(B) receiving credits for CPL theoretical knowledge in accordance with point FCL.035 and Appendix 1;

(ii) completed at least 200 hours of flight time on aeroplanes or TMGs, of which 150 hours as PIC;

(3) have completed at least 30 hours in the class or type of aeroplane used for the FI(A) training course, of which at least 5 hours shall have been completed during the 6 months preceding the pre-entry flight assessment set out in point FCL.930.FI(a);

(4) have completed a VFR cross-country flight as PIC, including a flight of at least 540 km (300 NM) in the course of which full stop landings at 2 different aerodromes shall be made;

(c) additionally, for the FI(H), have completed 250 hours total flight time as pilot on helicopters of which:

(1) at least 100 hours shall be as PIC, if the applicant holds at least a CPL(H); or

(2) at least 200 hours as PIC if the applicant holds at least a PPL(H) and has passed the CPL theoretical knowledge examination, which may be taken without completing a CPL theoretical knowledge training course and which shall not be valid for the issue of a CPL;

(ca) additionally, for the FI(G), have completed at least 150 hours of flight time on gyroplanes, of which at least 100 hours as PIC.

[applicable from 18 February 2026 - Regulation (EU) 2025/134]

(d) for an FI(As), have completed 500 hours of flight time on airships as PIC, of which 400 hours shall be as PIC holding a CPL(As).