Single Engine Training
Teach from the right seat. Get paid to build hours. The CFI program takes you from Commercial Pilot to certified instructor in 1 to 1.5 months — 15 to 20 hours of flight and 15 to 20 hours of ground. All training in the Diamond DA40 — glass cockpit, Garmin G1000 avionics. Financing available through Stratus Financial.
The CFI program has one entry requirement: you must hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate. From there, it's a single, straightforward path — 15 to 20 hours of flight training and 15 to 20 hours of ground to get you checkride-ready and confident in the right seat.
You'll train in the Diamond DA40 with a Flight Stars instructor, building right-seat proficiency, lesson planning skills, and oral exam readiness from day one. Your checkride date is set after 30% of training is complete, based on your individual proficiency forecast — so there are no surprises and no wasted time.
Ground training covers the fundamentals of instruction, lesson planning, common student errors and how to correct them, and comprehensive oral exam preparation.
| Requirement | Minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Pilot Certificate | Required | Single-engine or multiengine |
| Flight Proficiency | All areas of operation | Right-seat demonstrations |
| Fundamentals of Instruction | FOI written exam | Or pass before checkride |
| Flight Instructor Written | FIA exam | Must pass before checkride |
| Spin Training | Competency endorsement | Required before practical |
| FAA Medical | 3rd Class minimum | Student's responsibility |
Ground School: Fundamentals of instruction, lesson planning, teaching techniques. Written exam preparation for both the FOI and FIA.
Right-Seat Basics: Aircraft familiarization from the right seat. Basic maneuvers, takeoffs, and landings demonstrated as an instructor.
Advanced Maneuvers: Commercial maneuvers demonstrated and taught from the right seat. Stalls, slow flight, steep turns, ground reference.
Spin Training: Spin entries, developed spins, and recovery techniques. Spin endorsement completion.
Checkride Prep: Mock checkride, oral exam deep-dive, lesson plan portfolio, weak-area polishing.
Practical test with in-house DPE. Teaching demonstration and flight test. You walk out a Certified Flight Instructor.
Most students complete in 1 to 1.5 months. Your checkride date is set after approximately 30% of training is complete, based on your individual proficiency.
Flight Stars regularly hires qualified CFIs from our own program. Completion doesn't guarantee employment, but we actively recruit from our graduates.
No. You only need a Commercial Pilot Certificate — single-engine is sufficient. You can add your CFII and MEI separately.
Yes. Financing is available through Stratus Financial.
Two: the Fundamentals of Instruction (FOI) and the Flight Instructor Airplane (FIA). Ground school preparation is included in the program.
Get Started
Fill out the form below and we will be in touch within 24 hours with a personalized training plan.
(480) 640-4160
info@goflightstars.com
Mon–Fri: 7 AM – 6 PM
Sat: 8 AM – 4 PM
Sun: By appt
4550 E McKellips Rd STE 101, Mesa, AZ 85215
Falcon Field Airport (KFFZ)