Definition
A pilot who holds an FAA Flight Instructor Certificate authorizing them to provide flight and ground instruction to student pilots and other pilots seeking certificates, ratings, or recurrent training. The certificate is issued with specific category and class ratings (such as airplane single-engine, airplane multi-engine, or instrument) that define what the instructor is permitted to teach.
Plain English
A licensed pilot who is trained and authorized to teach others how to fly and to sign them off for tests and certificates.
Context Anchor
You will encounter this term throughout pilot training, especially when discussing lessons, training records, solo approval, and preparation for pilot tests.
Why Pilots Care
Only an appropriately rated flight instructor can give the dual instruction and endorsements required for solo flight, checkrides, and added ratings. The instructor's signature in a logbook is what makes training legally count toward a certificate.
Intuition Check
Do not read this as just any experienced pilot who gives advice. In this context, a flight instructor is an FAA-authorized teacher with specific privileges and limits.
Example Sentence 1
Before her first solo, the student completed several hours of dual instruction with her flight instructor.
Example Sentence 2
During the preflight briefing, the flight instructor reviewed the weather briefing and takeoff procedures with the student.