A portion of my shiny new ground instructor certificate — yes you get a separate certificate issued to you, just like any pilot cert.
I just got the easiest certificate I’ll probably ever get as a pilot…
A few days ago, I moseyed into the Baltimore FSDO and got them to issue me an Advanced Ground Instructor (AGI) certificate. That means I’m officially an aviation instructor. Sort of.
The ground instructor certificate comes in three flavors: Basic, Instrument, and Advanced. The AGI lets you provide knowledge training and knowledge test endorsements for any certificate issued under part 61: sport, recreational, private, commercial, ATP, etc. (AGIs can’t provide instrument sign-offs — they also need the instrument rating on their ground instructor certificate for that.)
An AGI can also provide the hour of ground training required for a flight review.
I said before it’s the easiest certificate I’ve ever gotten — the only requirements are to pass two written tests: the Fundamentals of Instructing (FOI) and Advanced Ground Instructor. I already needed the FOI exam to become a flight instructor, and the AGI written is almost identical to the CFI written, so I was able to take it the same day as the CFI written without studying anything new.
All I had to do was call up the Baltimore FSDO and schedule a time to bring my test results in and get a new Temporary Airman Certificate.
You may be wondering why a flight instructor student would bother becoming an AGI. After all, the AGI can’t do anything that a CFI can’t do. Fact is, there actually are some good reasons you might want to consider doing the same thing…
Read on for the list.
1. Real World Teaching Experience
As an AGI, you can pursue real world teaching experience. Many flight schools hire ground instructors to teach ground school classes — after all, that’s something that many CFIs don’t want to do. I don’t exactly have time to try and find a ground instructor job, but I’ve got a couple of friends who are pursuing new certificates. One wants to earn his commercial, and another is thinking about starting on a private pilot certificate this year.
As an AGI, I can actually act as an instructor and help them get ready for the written tests — including the endorsements required for those two tests. As a CFI student, that’s a hugely valuable experience that I wouldn’t be able to provide in any “official” capacity without being an AGI.
Most importantly of all, that real experience as an instructor will help immensely when it comes time for the CFI checkride. Speaking of which…
2. An Easier CFI Checkride?
I’ve heard from some people that being an AGI can actually make the CFI checkride easier. That’s because apparently some inspectors and examiners choose to skip over FOI material if a CFI candidate already holds an AGI. That’s not necessarily regulatory — having an AGI doesn’t give you a free pass on FOI material — but anything that tips the odds in my favor on the toughest checkride I’ll ever take is worth it.
And if you’re lucky enough to actually use your ground instructor certificate with real students, then you’re guaranteed to have a leg up during your CFI checkride.
3. Locked in FOI Test Results
When you take a knowledge test, the clock starts ticking. You have 2 years to take your checkride, otherwise you get to take that written test again…
And even though I plan on taking the CFI checkride in the next six months or so, we all know that life sometimes gets in the way. By getting an AGI certificate, I was able to lock-in my FOI test results.
4. Gold Seal Instructor
To earn a gold seal on your CFI certificate, you need to also have an AGI or IGI (among other things).
5. Something to Show For All Your Work So Far
This is a big one. By the time you take the CFI written tests, you’ve probably already put a lot of work into becoming a flight instructor… but you also probably still have a while to go before you’re done with everything else for the checkride (like creating lesson plans, for example). Getting an AGI gives you something tangible to show for your efforts while you keep working toward that CFI certificate.
6. Never expires
Unlike a CFI certificate, which much be renewed every 2 years, the AGI never expires (although there are some recency of instructing experience requirements). That means, if you let your CFI expire, you can still provide ground instruction with minimal effort to get “current” again.
Can you think of any other benefits of earning an AGI? Post ’em in the comments below!
Postscript: Turns out, the FAA inspector who was assigned to issue my AGI certificate was once-upon-a-time my primary flight instructor’s own primary CFI. Small world!
“the AGI written is almost identical to the CFI written, so I was able to take it the same day as the CFI written without studying anything new.”
I was under the impression that one served for the other. I didn’t know there were two separate exams. Am I going to have to take the exam twice….as you mention?
Hoping to complete my CFI by the end of 2016
Unfortunately they are separate exams with ever-so-slightly different question banks. If you want the AGI certificate (not a requirement to become a CFI), then you’ll need to take the AGI test in addition to the FOI (Fundamentals of Instructing) and FIA (Flight Instructor – Airplane) written tests.
When I worked on my AGI cert, I got a bunch of questions about Rotorcraft, Hot Air Balloons, Gyrocopters, etc. It makes sense since with an AGI cert you can sign off on any written exam (except Instrument)
Congratulations on picking yours up. I got the AGI just after my private airplane but that was many years ago. It was an easy test, almost like a simulated cross-country, but a lot of the questions dealt with multiengine flying (dead engine issues) so I’m glad I read a little booklet on that first. Eventually picked up the Instrument GI rating too, but as a non-IR pilot that was quite tough. In the process of studying for it learned a lot about IFR flying theory, so it was a worthwhile exercise. Good luck to you and Sam in getting your on the CFIs too.
congratulation Richard as you got AGI certificate. I need your help.
I want to apply for AGI certificate.
It will be a great help if I can get the correct direction. Like where to apply first, do i need to fill application for AGI exam first, then should fill the form for gettting the certificate seperately.
I am not clear with this stuff.
Thank you
Hi Paras,
Just caught up on your question, please pardon the delay. It has been a long time so you probably should talk to a CFI. You need to take the Fundamentals of Instructing exam and the AGI at a testing center. You can do them in either order, though at the same test session makes sense. My understanding is that no CFI sign off is needed to take them, but ask the center first.
Once you have the passed tests’ results you need to sign up with the IACRA.faa.gov to apply for a license. The paperwork can be taken to the Flight Standards District Office, but a CFI who is signed up with the system should be able to do it (but you won’t get a temporary certificate while waiting for the permanent one). Again, double check me on this. And take that Fundamentals test seriously; it is picky and as an educator myself question how useful it is, but too many people fail it over trivial answers that they should have gotten right.
Interesting, and a great idea…. Although my dear wife? Has her AGI, and never took the CFI test ,or for that matter? Doesn’t even have her pilot’s license, I know, before you say “What the heck??”
What she does have…. is her Flight Engineers license (heavy jet), so yeah she’s the oddball… LOL
She’s ex-united, as well as ex Ryan, and last? Ex- Alaska…etc. etc.. now? she is retired…..hehe… Over the years? she has had everything from brand new pilot’s ( complete with that new pilot smell), to former Space Shuttle commanders (with that “old” pilot smell.. LOL) in her classes…… and I’m proud as heck for her… and love her dearly….
What question bank book would you recommend?
Sheppard Air always Sheppard Air. Took the test yesterday and didn’t have a single question that was not on Sheppard Air.
Do you have to list an expiration date on the endorsement for an AGI, like you would if you have a CFI?
No AGI dose not expire.
If I take my AGI (took it 15 years ago). Is my FOI good indefinitely? I never took my CFI , but am now revisiting that. I took FIA (passed) do i need to take FOI again (more than 2 years since AGI+FOI) ?
Hi, thanks for all the info posted here. Have a question regarding recency or experiencie. To get the AGI, do I need to prove recent experience as ground instructor or just take the two tests and get them to the FSDO? TKS
@Mauricio – just take the 2 tests to the FSDO. To actually start giving instruction, since you wouldn’t have recency when you get the AGI, you need to have either an endorsement by another CFI or AGI, or complete a FIRC. That gives you recency.
As I read the Federal Aviation Regulations it seems like a CFI may only sign off on endorsements within their class and category. For instance someone without any ground instructor certificate who is an Airplane CFI may not sign off a helicopter private student to take the written. If they had a BGI they could endorse the student since the ground instructor certificates are not class or category specific. If I am incorrect on this please advise.
So, can one teach students on ground even if one doesn’t have the CFI badge?
Please guide.
According to (2019) FAR 61.185 paragraph (b) The following applicants do not need to comply with paragraph (a) (1) of this section:
(1) The holder of a flight instructor certificate OR ground instructor certificate issued under this part;
(2) 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
(3) A person employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university.
Legally the examiner is not suppose to include the FOI as part of the exam, because you are exempt from the requirements BY REGULATION.
That’s not exactly correct. 61.185(b) says that professional teachers listed in 61.185(b) don’t need to receive or log ground training on the FOI material (or take the written test). The examiner can still test those folks on the 61.185(a)(1) at their discretion during the practical test (per the CFI PTS as of this writing).
I am currently a CFI student and have just gotten a temp ground instructor certificate with Advanced and Instrument ratings (I took both AGI and IGI)
I have also taken FIA (Flight Instructor – Airplane) and FII (Flight Instructor – Instrument) written tests;
I will have to take them anyway, so I figured what the hell
With regards to “the AGI written is almost identical to the CFI written”
Many questions are indeed very similar and even identical between FIA and AGI
(My FIA contained 10+ questions relate to endorsements, but only 2 in AGI)
On the AGI I took, I wasn’t as lucky as my primary CFI flight instructor (who also holds AGI and IGI), I got 20+ questions on weight-shift control aircraft, gliders, gyroplanes, helicopters, balloons, etc.
e.g. minimum age for student pilot certificate are different:
glider/balloon (14 years old) powered aircraft (16 years old)
My primary flight instructor did not get a single non-fixed-wings question on his AGI
With regards to difference between FIA and AGI, FIA is straightly airplane and does not have any non-fixed-wings questions.
But I prep well for the AGI, I also had hours of training in helicopter (no rotorcraft rating yet, too expensive LOL) I wasn’t surprise when I saw them on the AGI written.
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On the IGI side, I also had many questions on non-fixed-wings (e.g. when a helicopter uses an
airplane’s approach plate, given certain weather conditions given in the question, must missed approach be flown or you can continue the approach;
Similarly, the 1-1-2-3 (some call it 1-2-3) is for non-helicopter
With Helicopter, you are only concern with: (referencing 14 CFR 91.169) “At estimated time of arrival and 1 hour after, 1000 field above field elevation or at least 400 feet above the applicable approach minima, whichever is higher, and at least 2 SM visiblity.”
Another example is a helicopter flying at night, given the weather conditions, can the pilot go special VFR?
On the FII (Flight Instructor – Instrument) side – I got only fixed wing only questions and general IFR questions similar to the written for IFR rating.
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Thanks to Jonas, the author pointed out the key benefits on getting the ground instructor certificate, such as:
– Locked in FOI Test Results
– Gold Seal Instructor
– Never expires
among others
Just my 2 cents, for those who want to pursue AGI ground instructor cert and found this article and read the comment…..
Be sure to study up on the non-fixed-wings questions as well, so you that you are prep won’t be surprised when you see those on the written 😉
Hey! I’m currently working towards my PPL, figured it would be good to go ahead and get my AGI (to help fund training costs). Any tips on where to find study material?
Lorin
Another 2 cents from Eric KFRG again.
DPE can approve Ground Instructor certificate, not necessarily to schedule an appointment with FSDO, which can take weeks for your turn because they are so backed up.
I personally spoke with an FAA inspector at my local FSDO, he directed me to a DPE for approval.
(Important Note: As with practical test with a DPE, it may cost you $money, be sure to ask and verify if his/her (DPE) time comes with a $cost)