CFI

A Certified Flight Instructor (CFI) is a pilot who has passed the FAA's instructor knowledge and practical tests and is authorized to provide flight instruction and sign off student logbooks. Your CFI is the person you will fly with throughout your training, so their availability, teaching style, and experience level matter.

When comparing schools, check whether they list instructor credentials publicly. An instructor with an ATP certificate has at least 1,500 hours of flight time, a big difference from someone who just earned their CFI. Many schools also keep a CFII on staff for instrument students.