Sport Pilot CFI and FAR's

Vaughn Simon wrote:
While we are on the subject, I remain confused about when a ground
instructor certificate is needed. As a CFIG could I legally teach a Private
Pilot SEL course or would I need to first get a Ground Instructor certificate?

I hold GI, AGI, and IGI certificates. I took the tests beacause I had
studied all the required material for the flight instructor ratings. I
don't expect them to be useful unless I fail to keep my CFI rating
current. I know of nothing a ground instructor can do that a flight
instructor with equivalent rating cannnot.

I hope it's not possible to get a sport pilot instructor rating for a
type of aircraft you are not rated in. Surely the regs are not that
stupid.

Andy

Andy wrote:
...I know of nothing a ground instructor can do that a flight
instructor with equivalent rating cannnot.

Nothing major, that's for sure. All I can come up with that CFI must
log/record each student endorsed for taking the knowledge test (as well
as the score received) and that log must be kept for at least 3 years
(FAR 61.189). A ground instructor is under no such obligation. My
understanding is that CFI endorsed knowledge test failure counts against
the CFI just as a practical test failure would. I expect that this may
be an issue when you teach large groups and can't track an individual
student well as you could if you were also his/her CFI.

IMHO, I recommend that all prospective CFIs also take the Advanced
Ground Instructor knowledge test around the time that they take the CFI
knowledge test. It's the same test except they can ask you questions
about all aircraft types on the AGI test. Really no big deal.

Tony V. CFI-G, AGI

"Andy" wrote in message
ps.com...

I hold GI, AGI, and IGI certificates. I took the tests beacause I had
studied all the required material for the flight instructor ratings. I
don't expect them to be useful unless I fail to keep my CFI rating
current. I know of nothing a ground instructor can do that a flight
instructor with equivalent rating cannnot.

There is one small advantage of a ground instructor certificate. Strangely
enough, they don't have the record keeping requirements of a CFI. So if you
sign someone off for a test and use your ground instructor certificate, you
don't get a black mark if they fail the written and you don't even have to chase
them to get the results of their test so you can log it as required by far
61.189.

Vaughn