Flight Instructor Course FI (H)

The Flight Instructor Course FI(H) at The Helicopter Centre in Mallorca is designed for experienced helicopter pilots who want to take the next step and become professional flight instructors. This course prepares you for one of the most rewarding and impactful roles in aviation: training future pilots. As a qualified FI(H), you will teach PPL(H) students, guide them through their first solo flights, and help them achieve the confidence, skill and knowledge needed to fly safely on their own.

The course takes place in a professional yet relaxed training environment, with personalised support from The Helicopter Centre’s own team of instructors and examiners. The structure is flexible and can be tailored to fit your schedule, making it suitable for pilots with existing commitments.

Entry Requirements
To be accepted onto the FI(H) course you must meet a set of aviation experience and regulatory criteria:

• Successful completion of a pre-entry flight test by an instructor
• Minimum age 18
• Valid medical certificate
• Licence for the helicopter type you intend to instruct on
• At least 15 hours logged on that helicopter type
• Minimum of 250 total flight hours as a helicopter pilot
• If you hold a CPL(H): at least 100 hours PIC
• If you hold a PPL(H) (with CPL theory completed): at least 200 hours PIC
• At least 10 hours of instrument flight instruction on the appropriate helicopter type
• At least 20 hours cross-country flight time as Pilot in Command (PIC)

These prerequisites ensure that candidates have solid flight experience, contextual knowledge, and the practical ability to teach others with confidence and authority.

Course Content and Structure
The FI(H) course combines theory, practical flight teaching techniques and real instructional flying to develop your skills as a qualified instructor:

• 125 hours of theoretical knowledge training, including classroom instruction, self-study and progress tests
• 30 hours of flight training, of which up to 5 hours can be “mutual” flight with another student
• Ongoing assessment throughout the course by your instructors

The theory component covers advanced aviation concepts and the principles of instruction, equipping you to deliver effective ground briefings, pre-flight briefings, and in-flight teaching. Flight training focuses on the actual delivery of instruction to students under supervision, refining your demonstration techniques, safety management and pedagogical approaches.

Assessment of Competence
At the end of the course you will undergo a formal Assessment of Competence with a Flight Instructor Examiner (FIE). This assessment includes:

• Preparing and delivering a briefing or lecture on a topic chosen by the examiner (topic provided at least one day in advance)
• Conducting a pre-flight briefing to the FIE
• Performing a practical flight exercise as instructor with the FIE acting as student
• Demonstrating general helicopter flight skills to the FIE

Successful completion of the assessment results in the award of your commercial Flight Instructor rating FI(H), qualifying you to instruct students towards their PPL(H) licence. As an FI(H), you will play a key role in shaping the next generation of helicopter pilots and contribute to safe, high-quality aviation training.