Benefits of Becoming a Ground Instructor

Many people have either never heard of ground instruction certification, have misconceptions about the requirements, or don’t know the benefits of becoming a ground instructor. It’s time to clear the air about becoming a basic ground instructor (BGI), and advanced ground instructor (AGI), or an instrument ground instructor (IGI). 

You don’t need to be a pilot to be a ground instructor. However, there are a few FAA knowledge tests you’ll need to pass to become a ground instructor. Each type of ground instructor certification requires its own test in addition to the Fundamentals of Instructing test. 

Benefits of Becoming a Ground Instructor

One of the biggest benefits of becoming a ground instructor is that your certificate never expires! Unlike being a flight instructor, who needs to renew a certificate every two years, a ground instructor will can remain current simply by serving as an instructor in the previous year. 

The top three benefits of becoming a ground instructor are: 

1. Subject Matter Expertise – Becoming a ground instructor allows you to become an expert in aviation topics. If you have an interest in teaching students about aviation, all of the information is covered during the process of becoming a ground instructor. 
2. Expanded Knowledge – Whether you’re already experienced in aviation, or you’re just interested in learning, ground instructor certification will reinforce what you already know and remind you of things you might have forgotten. 
3. Writing Endorsements for Students – Lastly, a certificate in ground instruction will allow you to write endorsements for students to take the FAA written knowledge test. This ability can provide the foundation for your students’ entire career in aviation. 

No matter what you choose, only you know the best course of action for your individual aviation goals. Ground instructor certification is great because, no matter how much time you’ve spent in the sky, you can always learn new things! 

Whether you’re looking at becoming a pilot, learn how to fly, to improve your skills or help your flight school students, becoming a ground instructor can benefit both you and your students. To learn more, please contact Elevate Aviation located here in Salt Lake City, Utah.