Definition
Certificated airmen authorized by the FAA to provide flight and ground instruction to student pilots and rated pilots, evaluate their progress, endorse them for solo flight, knowledge tests, and practical tests, and certify that they meet the standards required for a pilot certificate or rating.
Plain English
Pilots who are licensed and trained to teach other people how to fly, sign them off to take their tests, and confirm they are ready to fly on their own.
Context Anchor
Seen throughout pilot training, especially during lessons, preflight and postflight briefings, training records, and preparation for solo flight or a practical test.
Derivation
From the Latin instruere, meaning 'to build up' or 'to equip.' A flight instructor builds up a student's knowledge and skill until they are equipped to fly safely on their own.
Why Pilots Care
They directly control training quality, safety, and regulatory compliance for every student pilot; poor instruction leads to higher dropout rates and increased accident risk.
Intuition Check
Do not read flight instructors as just “people who give flying tips.” In FAA training, flight instructors are authorized teachers with specific responsibilities for training, evaluating, and approving student progress.
Example Sentence 1
Before her first solo, the student met with her flight instructor to review emergency procedures and receive the required logbook endorsement.
Example Sentence 2
The flight instructors at the school sign off each student’s logbook after successful completion of required maneuvers.