Certified Flight Instructor — Helicopter

FAR 61.183 — Eligibility

• Be at least 18 years of age, and able to read, speak, write and understand English (§ 61.183(a)–(b))
• Hold a Commercial or ATP certificate with a category and class rating appropriate to the instructor rating sought — rotorcraft category, helicopter class (§ 61.183(c)(1))
• Receive a logbook endorsement on the fundamentals of instructing (§ 61.185) and pass the FOI knowledge test, unless you already hold a flight or ground instructor certificate, a state teaching certificate for 7th grade or higher, or are employed as a teacher at an accredited college or university (§ 61.183(d)–(e))
• Pass the Flight Instructor — Rotorcraft Helicopter knowledge test (§ 61.183(f))
• Receive a logbook endorsement on the § 61.187(b) areas of operation (§ 61.183(g))
• Log at least 15 hours as PIC in the category and class appropriate to the rating sought (§ 61.183(j))
• Pass the practical test in a representative aircraft, or an approved simulator under a part 142 course (§ 61.183(h))

An instrument-helicopter rating is not required for the basic CFI-H. § 61.183(c)(2) requires an instrument rating only for a flight instructor certificate with an airplane single-engine, airplane multiengine, powered-lift, or instrument rating. Rotorcraft is not on that list. You need the instrument rating for the CFII — and most people do run CFI and CFII together — but it is not a gate on the basic certificate. Read § 61.183.

15 hours is not the experience requirement — it is the last of them. The real floor is the Commercial certificate in § 61.183(c)(1). For a helicopter that is 150 hours total time under § 61.129(c): 100 hours in powered aircraft with 50 in helicopters, and 100 hours PIC including 35 in helicopters and 10 hours of cross-country in helicopters. § 61.183(j) then adds 15 hours PIC in category and class on top of holding that certificate. A medical certificate is not among the § 61.183 eligibility requirements, though you need one to act as PIC while instructing and to exercise commercial privileges.

Does the certificate expire?

Not if it was issued on or after 1 December 2024. Under § 61.19(d) a flight instructor certificate issued on or after that date carries no expiration date. One issued before 1 December 2024 expires 24 calendar months from the month it was issued, renewed, or reinstated.

What now lapses is the privilege, not the certificate. Under § 61.197 you may exercise instructor privileges only if, within the preceding 24 calendar months, you satisfied one of these:

• Passed a practical test for a rating on your instructor certificate, or for an additional instructor rating
• Endorsed at least 5 applicants for a practical test with at least 80% passing on the first attempt
• Served as a company check pilot, chief flight instructor, company check airman, or instructor in a part 121 or 135 operation, or in a role regularly evaluating pilots
• Completed an approved flight instructor refresher course within the preceding 3 calendar months
• Passed a U.S. Armed Forces military instructor pilot or examiner proficiency check
• Served as an instructor in an FAA-sponsored pilot proficiency program meeting § 61.197(b)(2)(v)

The 24-month window starts from the month the certificate was issued, the month you accomplished the recent-experience requirement, or the last month of your current period if you meet the requirement within the 3 calendar months before it. Let it lapse and you may not exercise instructor privileges until they are reinstated under § 61.199 — you do not lose the certificate. Verified 2026-09-03 against eCFR title 14, issue date 2026-08-31.

Reference Material

• FAA-H-8083-9B: Aviation Instructor's Handbook — primary FOI reference
• FAA-H-8083-21: Helicopter Flying Handbook
• FAA-H-8083-2: Risk Management Handbook
• 14 CFR § 61.183: Eligibility for flight instructor certificate
• 14 CFR § 61.187: Flight instructor practical test areas
• 14 CFR § 61.197: Renewal requirements
• AC 61-65K: Certification of pilots and flight instructors — endorsement templates