Right. But you still have to have it or no CFII. So and instrument rating on your CFI doesn't automatically make you a CFII.
Without the yelling, sure it does. Kinda repeating what others said. Hopefully laying it out in a different way.
The FAA issues various types of airman certificates. Pilot certificates, Flight Instructor certificates, Ground Instructor certificates, Mechanic Certificates, for example. To these certificates, the FAA adds ratings. "Airplane Single Engine Land" on a pilot certificate and "Airframe" on a mechanic certificate are examples. Mechanic vs pilot is easy. But the FAA has also been incredibly consistent in differentiating between pilot certificates and flight instructor certificates.
Ratings for the CFI certificate include,
- Aircraft category ratings such as airplane or glider
- Class ratings that might be applicable to the aircraft category. For example, "single-engine" and "Multiengine" are class ratings for the airplane category; "helicopter" is a class rating for the rotorcraft category.
- Instrument ratings
- Sport pilot rating.
When we talk informally about flight instructors, though, there's a disconnect between the regulations and the pilot vernacular. That probably accounts for a lot of the confusion.
When we talk about a "CFI," we are usually referring to a "plain vanilla" CFI who gave primary training. If we wanted to be more accurate, that's actually someone who has a CFI
certificate with an Airplane, Single Engine
rating. (Some people have been known to use "CFI-A" or "CFI-ASE" as a shorthand, which probably makes more sense).
When we talk about a CFII, we are referring to someone who has a flight instructor
certificate with an instrument airplane
rating on her instructor certificate. A more accurate abbreviation would be "CFI-IA" (Certified Flight instructor, Instrument Airplane).
When we talk about an MEI, we are referring to someone who has a flight instructor who has
certificate with an instrument
rating on his instructor certificate. It would probably make more sense to use "CFI-ME" but no one I know does with any regularity.
The ultimate point, in terms of the thread is, 61.195, which tells pretty clearly:
A person who holds a flight instructor certificate is subject to the following limitations:
***
(b) Aircraft Ratings. A flight instructor may not conduct flight training in any aircraft for which the flight instructor does not hold:
(1) A pilot certificate and flight instructor certificate with the applicable category and class rating ; and
(2) If appropriate, a type rating.
and
(c) Instrument Rating. A flight instructor who provides instrument training for the issuance of an instrument rating, a type rating not limited to VFR, or the instrument training required for commercial pilot and airline transport pilot certificates must hold an instrument rating on his or her pilot certificate and flight instructor certificate that is appropriate to the category and class of aircraft used for the training provided.
Notice the phrase, "pilot certificate and flight instructor certificate" and that the applicable ratings must be on both.
That (c) has been expanded by interpretation to cover training other than for a certificate or rating. So, for example, the CFI (a Certified Flight Instructor) who gives an IPC must also be a CFI-IA even though it is not toward the issuance of a certificate or rating.
