14 CFR · Part 61
14 CFR § 61.185
Aeronautical knowledge.
A person who is applying for a flight instructor certificate must receive and log ground training from an authorized instructor on:
Except as provided in paragraph (b) of this section, the fundamentals of instructing, including:
The learning process;
Elements of effective teaching;
Student evaluation and testing;
Course development;
Lesson planning; and
Classroom training techniques.
The aeronautical knowledge areas for a recreational, private, and commercial pilot certificate applicable to the aircraft category for which flight instructor privileges are sought; and
The aeronautical knowledge areas for the instrument rating applicable to the category for which instrument flight instructor privileges are sought.
The following applicants do not need to comply with paragraph (a)(1) of this section:
The holder of a flight instructor certificate or ground instructor certificate issued under this part;
The holder of a current teacher's certificate issued by a State, county, city, or municipality that authorizes the person to teach at an educational level of the 7th grade or higher; or
A person employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.
Referenced By
Advisory Circulars (1)
Documents that cite this section, found in their catalog metadata or text. Listed by date, not by significance.
Reflects the eCFR edition current as of July 6, 2026. Retrieved from ecfr.gov on July 17, 2026.
Primary Source