Flight Instructor Rating (FIR)
Flight Instructor Rating (FIR)- Build Hours & Accelerate Your Career
Turn your CPL into a career. Become a flight instructor, earn income, and build flight hours towards airline opportunities.
Many airline pilots begin their careers as flight instructors.
Why Become a Flight Instructor?
- Get paid to fly while building experience
- Accumulate Pilot-in-Command hours quickly
- Strengthen your knowledge and flying skills
- One of the most common pathways to airline careers
Flight Instructor Rating Package (FIR)
The Flight Instructor Rating (FIR) qualifies pilots to conduct flight training for licenses, ratings, and endorsements under CASA regulations. Becoming a flight instructor is both challenging and rewarding. Instructing allows pilots to earn income, deepen their aviation knowledge, and build valuable Pilot in Command (PIC) experience while guiding students through key milestones such as their first solo flight. The FIR is an important step for pilots progressing toward professional aviation careers, airline pathways, or long-term instructional roles.
Flight Instructor Rating Package (FIR)
Teach. Lead. Build the Next Generation.
Training Hours Summary
Flying Hours
33 Dual Flying Hours
Simulation Hours
N/A
Briefings & Theory
Up to 180 Hours
What’s included:
- 33 dual flying hours
- 21 hours of pre-flight and post-flight briefings
- 33.5 hours of readback briefings
- 98 hours of instructional theory briefings
- All terminal navigation charges and landing fees
Cost:
Cessna C150 Commuter
AUD 36,000 incl. GST
Alpha R2160 Robin
AUD 38,000 incl. GST
Additional fees
- Spin Recovery Endorsement Approx. $2,300 (incl. GST)
2 hours of ground briefing plus3 hours of practical flight training.Required for students who have not previously obtained the relevant endorsement.
- Initial FIR Flight Test Approx. $2,500 (incl. GST)
2 hours of flight assessment plus1.5 hours of ground assessment
What Happens During FIR Training
Flight Training
Develop the skills required to safely demonstrate and teach flying techniques.
Instructional Techniques
Learn how to brief, teach, and assess student pilots effectively.
Theory & Briefings
Understand how to deliver structured lessons in navigation, air law, and flight operations.
Supervised Teaching Practice
Gain real experience training students under supervision.
Flight Test Preparation
Prepare for your FIR flight test and demonstrate your ability to instruct safely.
begin Your careers as flight instructors.
Training Overview
The Flight Instructor Rating (FIR) qualifies pilots to conduct flight training for licenses, ratings, and endorsements under CASA regulations. Becoming a flight instructor is both challenging and rewarding. Instructing allows pilots to earn income, deepen their aviation knowledge, and build valuable Pilot in Command (PIC) experience while guiding students through key milestones such as their first solo flight. The FIR is an important step for pilots progressing toward professional aviation careers, airline pathways, or long-term instructional roles.
What’s Included
- 33 dual flying hours
- 21 hours of pre-flight and post-flight briefings
- 33.5 hours of readback briefings
- 98 hours of instructional theory briefings
- All terminal navigation charges and landing fees
Training is competency-based and delivered to CASA standards.
What You Will Be Able to Do:
- Deliver professional flight briefings and debriefings
- Demonstrate flight manoeuvres to instructional standard
- Assess student performance and identify areas for improvement
- Apply effective teaching and corrective techniques
- Conduct flight training under CASA instructor privileges
Where This Rating Can Take You
What Happens After FIR?
🧑✈️ Work as a Flight Instructor:
Start earning while building flight hours
✈️ Progress to Airline Pathway:
Combine FIR experience with MECIR and MCC
🚀 Accelerate Your Career
Gain experience faster than most other pathways
Entry Requirements
Aircraft allocation is based on training requirements and operational availability.
- Current Commercial Pilot Licence (CPL)
- Meet CASA medical and regulatory requirements
- Satisfy CASA experience prerequisites
Training Process
1. Enrollment & Orientation
Upon enrolment, you will receive a Training Starter Kit with course materials and access to online resources. Orientation covers the airport environment, local airspace, aircraft fleet, Wingman procedures, and training expectations.
2. PMI Theory & Exam
You will complete Principles and Methods of Instruction (PMI) theory, focusing on instructional techniques, communication, and teaching methods. This phase concludes with the CASA Flight Instructor Rating theory exam.
3. FIR Ground School
Ground training develops your ability to plan and deliver instruction. You will learn how to conduct long briefs, pre-flight briefings, lesson planning, and post-flight debriefings, including preparing your own instructional presentations.
4. FIR Flight Training
You will complete approximately 33 hours of flight instructor training. Training focuses on demonstrating manoeuvres to instructor standard, analysing student performance, and applying corrective teaching techniques.
5. FIR Flight Test
Once the required standard is met, you will be recommended for a Flight Instructor Rating flight test with a CASA-approved Testing Officer. Successful completion results in the issue of your Flight Instructor Rating.
Fly Further.
Fly Independently.
Why Train with
Wingman Academies
At Wingman Academies, we don’t just teach aviation.We prepare confident, capable pilots for real-world flying and future careers. Our programs are designed by airline professionals and delivered with a focus on safety, quality, and long-term success.
- Develop your instructional skills in a professional flight training environment
- Safety-driven and standards-focused instruction
- Flexible scheduling to suit your availability
- Clear progression into professional pilot training
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Speak to an instructor to plan your training pathway.