Commercial Pilot plus CFI Combination
The most efficient path from instrument-rated pilot to flight instructor.
This combined program is designed for pilots who are ready to move quickly into instructor training while maintaining structure, quality, and long-term progression.
Why Combine Commercial and CFI Training?
Most pilots complete these separately.
That often leads to:
- repeated training
- unnecessary hours
- longer timelines
Combining the two allows you to:
- train with continuity
- reinforce concepts immediately
- reduce total time and cost
- transition directly into instructing
This is the most efficient path for many career-oriented pilots.
For a broader perspective, we recommend reviewing the smartest path to becoming an airline pilot before deciding how to structure your training.
Who This Program Is Designed For
This program is typically the next step after instrument rating training, where pilots develop the precision and control required for advanced training.
You can either go through commercial pilot training and then flight instructor training, or, you enroll in this program to achieve more efficiency. Be better ready for both commercial pilot and then CFI certification.
This program is ideal for pilots who:
- have completed instrument training
- are committed to becoming a flight instructor
- want an efficient, structured progression
- are preparing for a professional aviation career
Not for:
- casual or recreational pilots
- students unsure about becoming instructors
- pilots chosing the multi-engine path after their commercial
This is a focused, career-oriented program.
Some students also evaluate CFI vs multi-engine first when deciding how to structure their training after commercial.
Structured Training Under Part 141
This program is typically conducted under Part 141, which provides:
- structured lesson progression
- standardized instruction
- defined stage checks
- consistent training quality
Combined with:
👉 In-house examining authority
This allows:
- predictable training flow
- reduced dependency on external DPEs
- consistent evaluation standards
Important:
Each student’s training is structured individually.
Final program structure and pricing are determined through admissions consultation.
How the Combined Program Works
Rather than separating phases, training is integrated:
- Commercial maneuvers and standards
- Instructor-level understanding
- Teaching techniques introduced early
- Transition directly into CFI training
👉 You are not “finishing one and starting another”
👉 You are progressing continuously
This integrated approach builds on your commercial pilot training, while introducing instructor-level understanding at the same time.
Efficiency Without Compromising Quality
This approach reduces:
- redundant training
- relearning concepts
- downtime between courses
At the same time, it improves:
- retention
- understanding
- readiness for instruction
👉 Efficiency comes from structure; not shortcuts.
Your Path After Instrument Training
This program is typically the next step after:
👉 instrument rating training
From here, you transition directly into:
👉 flight instructor training
👉 Then begin building hours and experience toward airline or advanced careers.
Why Train at CFI Academy
CFI Academy is built specifically for instructor training.
That means:
- standardized training methods
- higher instructional quality
- better preparation for real teaching
👉 This is not a general flight school approach.
CFI training is part of a larger progression. We recommend understanding the complete flight instructor training path before deciding how to structure your training.
Planning Your Training
Students considering this program often want clarity on:
- total timeline
- cost and structure
- training sequence
- long-term career path
Many students explore flight training financing options to manage the investment while maintaining a consistent training schedule.
Others choose to earn a college degree while flight training as part of their long-term aviation plan.
Since 1998
CFI Academy has focused on one mission:
👉 Training professional flight instructors
That focus drives every decision in how this program is structured.
Start With a Training Evaluation
This program is not standardized or fixed-price.
We evaluate:
- your current experience
- your readiness
- the most efficient structure for you
Yes, combining training allows for a more efficient progression and better retention.
Yes, in most cases it reduces total training time and redundancy.
Most students complete this under Part 141, but structure depends on individual evaluation.
No. Each program is structured individually based on experience and goals.
Most students begin instructing and building flight hours toward airline careers.
Don't have your Commercial yet? It's ok. Enroll in our Commercial plus CFI course!
Commercial plus CFI - Single Engine
You don’t need to wait for your commercial pilot checkride to enroll in our CFI course. If you have met most of your commercial pilot aeronautical experience requirements, we can help finish off the rest. Yes, both checkrides. And you save time and money.
Checkrides are scheduled and completed in the 3rd/4th week
It takes us about 10 hours of dual to train someone for the right seat flying and teaching. These 10 hours of dual training can be a part of your commercial pilot 250 hour requirement. In 10 hours you will be ready for CFI, so, of course for commercial pilot certification as well.
Prerequisites
- A current FAA Private Pilot certificate with Instrument Rating.
- A minimum of class III medical certificate, valid. Basic Med is acceptable.
- Commercial, FIA and FOI exam passed (preferred, but not required), or Ground Instructor in lieu of FOI.
Course Structure
Our CFI initial course is a very detailed, thorough and hands-on course, and requires a lot of hard work and dedication on the part of the applicant as well as the instructors. The course is about 60-80 hours of ground school, and 10-12 hours of flight training. You need to keep in mind that the CFI training is about being able to teach aviation, both on the ground and in flight.
The Flight portion of the course includes all the Private, Commercial and CFI maneuvers, with you teaching from the right seat. The course also includes the required spin awareness, entry and recovery techniques. At the completion of the course you will have all the skill and confidence necessary to teach another pilot while sitting in the right seat of an airplane.
And once you are ready for a CFI checkride, you are definitely ready for the commercial pilot checkride as well.
Typical Training Day
A typical training day includes 2 ground training sessions of about 3-4 hours duration with your ground instructor, and one flight schedule of about 1-2 hour duration with your flight instructor, and another 3-4 hour session of self study, video session and lesson plan preparation and research work. By the end of the training you will be ready to hit the bed to get a good night’s sleep to be ready for the next day’s routine.
Checkrides
Both commercial and CFI checkrides are scheduled pretty much back to back with our DPE. You will take your commercial checkride (from the right seat) and then a day or 2 later take the CFI checkride, again, from the right seat. This really helps with the confidence for the CFI checkride. Any weaknesses are caught in the commercial checkride process, which ensures that you are 100% ready for the CFI practical test.
Save BIG vs Other CFI Schools
Simple and transparent pricing. No hidden surprises. Ever.
Standard CFI ASE
CFI ASE (Initial Issue) –
Single Engine (Regular)
$7499
- CFI Ground School (upto 80 Hours)
- Dual - Right seat CFI Training
- Spin Training
- Pre-Post briefings and Lesson Plans, Reference Materials
- Rental (2 hours) for CFI ASE Checkride
CFI+CFII Combo
CFI ASE (Initial Issue) –
Single Engine Plus CFII (Add On)
$11499
- Includes everything in Standard CFI ASE
- Includes everything in Standard CFII Add on
- Rental (2 hours each) for CFI and CFII Checkride
- Saves $500 as a package
- 4 weeks duration
Commercial+CFI
Commercial SEL
CFI ASE (Initial Issue)
$7999
- CFI Ground School (upto 80 Hours)
- Dual Right Seat Commercial + CFI Training (10 Hours)
- Spin Training
- Pre-Post briefings and Lesson Plans, Reference Materials
- Rental (2 hours) for Commercial ASE Checkride
- Rental (2 hours) for CFI ASE Checkride
