1. Terms & Conditions

1.1 Introduction

Welcome to CFI Academy (the “Academy”). These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern your use of our website (cfiacademy.com), our training programs, aircraft rentals, advisory services, and any related products or services (collectively, the “Services”). By accessing our website, submitting an inquiry, enrolling in training, or renting an aircraft through CFI Academy, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agreed to these Terms.

1.2 Eligibility

Training at CFI Academy is conducted under 14 CFR Part 61 and/or Part 141. Enrollment and participation are subject to:

• Meeting all applicable FAA medical, experience, and documentation requirements.
• Compliance with TSA Alien Flight Student Program (AFSP) for non-U.S. citizens, when required.
• Providing accurate identification and personal information to the Academy.

1.3 Training Programs & Operational Authority

CFI Academy retains full discretion over all operational and instructional decisions, including but not limited to:

• Instructor assignments and reassignments.
• Aircraft selection, dispatch, and grounding for maintenance or safety reasons.
• Curriculum sequencing, lesson plans, and training pace.
• Scheduling changes driven by weather, maintenance, ATC constraints, or safety considerations.

Modifications to schedules or resources that result from the above factors do not constitute grounds for refunds, credits, or damages.

1.4 Payments, Deposits & Refunds

Tuition, aircraft rental rates, instructor rates, and fees for examiners or third parties are published and updated by CFI Academy from time to time. By enrolling or renting, you agree to the rates in effect at the time of service unless otherwise confirmed in writing.

• Deposits for training programs or packages are generally non-refundable, unless otherwise stated in a specific written agreement.
• Account balances consisting of unused pre-paid funds may be refunded upon written request. Standard processing time is typically 7–14 business days.
• Third-party fees (e.g., examiner fees, FAA fees, TSA fees, medical examiners, etc.) are not controlled by CFI Academy and are not refundable through the Academy.

1.5 Scheduling, Cancellations & No-Shows

When you book instructor and aircraft time, those resources are reserved specifically for you. To keep operations efficient and fair to all students:

• Late cancellations and no-shows may be charged up to the full amount of the reserved instructor and/or aircraft block time.
• Weather, maintenance, and ATC delays may require rescheduling; such changes do not trigger credits or refunds.
• CFI Academy may adjust or cancel a reservation if safety, regulatory, or operational concerns arise.

1.6 Student Responsibilities

Students agree to:

• Maintain valid and current FAA-required documents (medical, pilot certificate, endorsements, etc.).
• Accurately log flight and ground training time and present logbooks or records for review upon request.
• Follow all published CFI Academy standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety policies, and instructor directions.
• Report any safety concerns, incidents, or irregularities promptly to an instructor or the operations office.

1.7 Aircraft Rental Requirements

Aircraft rental privileges are granted at the discretion of CFI Academy and require a satisfactory checkout with a CFI Academy instructor. Pilots renting aircraft agree that:

• They are financially responsible for damage caused by negligence, improper operation, or violation of applicable regulations.
• They will operate the aircraft strictly within the limitations of the aircraft POH/AFM, FAA regulations, and Academy SOPs.
• CFI Academy may suspend or revoke rental privileges at any time for safety, regulatory, or policy reasons.

1.8 Mandatory Insurance Requirements

To protect students, instructors, the Academy, and third parties, CFI Academy requires both students and instructors to maintain appropriate aviation insurance coverage. The admissions or operations office may specify higher limits on a case-by-case basis.

Student Renter’s Insurance (Required)

Before solo flight or independent rental, students must maintain an active Non-Owned Aircraft (Renter’s) Insurance policy that meets or exceeds all of the following minimums:

• Liability Coverage (Non-Owned): minimum $250,000 per occurrence.
• Property Damage Liability: minimum $25,000.
• Non-Owned Aircraft Damage (Hull): minimum $100,000 per occurrence.

Higher limits (for example, $150,000–$200,000 in non-owned hull coverage) may be recommended or required depending on aircraft type (C150, C172, PA-28-160), training stage, or renter experience.

Proof of coverage must be provided to CFI Academy and kept current. Any lapse, cancellation, or reduction of coverage may immediately suspend solo and rental privileges.

Flight Instructor Insurance (Required)

All instructors teaching at CFI Academy are required to carry a professional CFI liability and non-owned aircraft insurance policy while providing instruction, including:

• CFI Professional Liability: target minimum of $1,000,000 per occurrence or equivalent structure.
• Non-Owned Aircraft Damage (Hull): minimum $100,000.

Instructors must provide proof of insurance upon onboarding and whenever policies are renewed. The Academy may adjust minimums based on aircraft utilized, roles, or responsibilities.

1.9 Limitation of Liability

Flight training and aircraft operations inherently involve risk. To the fullest extent permitted by law, CFI Academy, its owners, employees, instructors, and contractors are not liable for indirect, incidental, special, or consequential damages arising from use of the Services. Nothing in these Terms limits liability where such limitation is prohibited by law.

1.10 Intellectual Property

All course materials, syllabi, branding, logos, images, text, videos, and other content provided by CFI Academy are protected by copyright and other intellectual property laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, or publicly display Academy materials without prior written consent.

1.11 Changes to Terms

CFI Academy may update these Terms periodically. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Continued use of our website or Services after changes are posted constitutes acceptance of the revised Terms.

2. Privacy & Data Use

2.1 Overview

CFI Academy respects your privacy. This section explains how we collect, use, and protect personal information obtained through our website, lead forms, admissions conversations, and training operations.

2.2 Information We Collect

• Contact details such as name, email address, phone number, and postal address.
• Training-related information including licenses, ratings, logbook information, and training history you choose to share.
• Regulatory data needed to comply with FAA, TSA, SEVIS, and other regulatory requirements.
• Website usage data such as pages visited, approximate location, device type, and browser information (often via cookies or analytics tools).
• Communications such as emails, text messages, and call or meeting notes with our team.

2.3 How We Use Your Information

We use your information to:

• Respond to inquiries, provide program details, and support admissions decisions.
• Deliver flight and ground training services, schedule lessons, and manage student accounts.
• Comply with FAA, TSA, SEVIS, and other regulatory obligations.
• Improve our programs, operations, and website experience.
• Send relevant updates about training, safety, policies, and CFI Academy events or offers (you may opt out at any time).

2.4 Sharing of Information

We do not sell your personal information. We may share limited information with:

• Regulatory authorities (e.g., FAA, TSA) when required by law or regulation.
• Designated examiners, testing centers, or other third parties directly involved in your training and certification.
• Service providers that assist with systems such as scheduling, billing, email delivery, or website analytics, under appropriate data-protection obligations.

2.5 Data Retention

We retain personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes described above, to comply with regulatory retention requirements, and to maintain appropriate training and safety records.

2.6 Your Choices

• You may request updates or corrections to your contact information.
• You may opt out of non-essential marketing communications at any time using the unsubscribe instructions provided or by contacting us directly.
• Certain regulatory and training records must be retained and cannot be deleted upon request if required by law or safety policy.

3. Cookie Policy

3.1 How We Use Cookies

CFI Academy uses cookies and similar technologies on cfiacademy.com to:

• Enable essential site functions and security.
• Understand how visitors use our site, so we can improve navigation and content.
• Measure the performance of our outreach and advertising campaigns.

3.2 Types of Cookies

• Essential cookies: Required for core site functions (e.g., page navigation, secure areas).
• Analytics cookies: Help us understand traffic sources, page performance, and visitor behavior (e.g., via tools such as Google Analytics).
• Preference and marketing cookies: Remember your preferences and may support measurement of marketing effectiveness.

3.3 Your Choices

When you first visit our site, a cookie banner may allow you to accept or reject non-essential cookies. You may also disable cookies through your browser settings; however, some parts of the site may not function correctly if essential cookies are blocked.

4. FAA Compliance Notice

CFI Academy operates under FAA Part 61 and Part 141. All students, renters, and instructors must comply with FAA regulations, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security requirements, SEVIS rules (if applicable), and CFI Academy safety policies.

4.1 Regulatory Disclosures

• Identity Verification: All students must present valid government-issued photo identification.
• TSA AFSP: Non-U.S. citizens must complete Alien Flight Student Program approval where required prior to engaging in certain types of training.
• Operational Constraints: Flights may be delayed, modified, or rescheduled due to weather, maintenance, ATC constraints, or FAA directives.
• Endorsements & Proficiency: Instructors will issue endorsements only when performance and proficiency meet applicable standards.
• Safety Priority: CFI Academy may cancel, delay, or discontinue any lesson or rental if safety is compromised or if an FAR violation is likely.

5. Short Privacy Statement for Lead Forms

Use this language on TikTok, Instagram, or similar lead forms. It summarizes the Privacy & Data Use section above in a platform-friendly format.

5.1 Standard Version

“By submitting this form, you agree that CFI Academy may contact you by phone, text, email, or social platforms with information about our flight-training programs and enrollment options. Your information is used only for admissions, communication, and relevant marketing from CFI Academy. We do not sell your data. You may opt out at any time.”

5.2 Ultra-Short Version (for Character-Limited Platforms)

“By submitting, you agree CFI Academy may contact you about training. We do not sell your data. Opt out anytime.”

6. Contact & Notices

If you have questions about these Terms, our Privacy & Data Use practices, or FAA compliance information, please contact:

CFI Academy
Phone: 916-209-0234
Email: info@cfiacademy.com
Website: cfiacademy.com

This page is intended to provide clear, student-friendly summaries of key policies. It does not replace any formal enrollment agreement, training contract, or regulatory document you may sign in connection with specific programs.