Lakes Area Aviation
CFI & CFII training

Instructor ratings

CFI & CFII

Choose an accelerated initial flight-instructor course, add instrument-instructor privileges, or plan both ratings back to back.

Timeline

4–6 weeks

Estimate from

As low as $5,125

Format

1-hr oral · 1-hr flight

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What this rating includes

The actual training plan.

Published course hours, current estimates, prerequisites, and timing, so you can understand the commitment before you inquire.

Separate CFI and CFII course estimates
Daily concentrated flight and ground training
Checkride-focused preparation

Course option

Certified Flight Instructor

Published timeline

7–10 days

Published estimate

As low as $5,125

Cost breakdown

  • Course fee: $1,000
  • 10 hours ground instruction at $60/hr: $600
  • 15 hours Cessna 172 rental at $175/hr: $2,625
  • 15 hours flight instruction at $60/hr: $900

Before you begin

  • Plan for lessons in two-hour blocks
  • Arrive ready for concentrated ground, flight, oral, and practical-test preparation

Course option

Certified Flight Instructor–Instrument

Published timeline

5–7 days

Published estimate

As low as $3,150

Cost breakdown

  • Course fee: $500
  • 10 hours Cessna 172 rental at $175/hr: $1,750
  • 10 hours flight instruction at $60/hr: $600
  • 5 hours ground instruction at $60/hr: $300

Before you begin

  • Designed as an instrument-instructor add-on
  • Plan for concentrated ground, flight, oral, and practical-test preparation

How the block runs

1-hour oral. 1-hour flight.

  1. 01

    Plan

    Share your certificates, hours, and dates.

  2. 02

    Train

    Separate CFI and CFII course estimates

  3. 03

    Train

    Daily concentrated flight and ground training

  4. 04

    Train

    Checkride-focused preparation

  5. 05

    Checkride

    Practical test with an examiner.

Important cost notes

  • Andrew Cashen reported completing his CFI training and checkride in 10 days, then finishing CFI-I in a total of 12 days. Individual timelines vary.
  • Examiner fees are additional and aircraft rental is subject to tax.

Travel support

Train here without relocating.

Student housing is available for $30 per night. Student cars are available to residents for $20 per day.

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Questions

Before you call.

What do I need before I start?+

Each course option lists its prerequisites under “Before you begin.” Tell us your current certificates and hours and we’ll confirm your starting point.

Where do I stay while training?+

Student housing is available for $30 per night, and student cars are available to residents for $20 per day.

What can change my timeline?+

Proficiency, weather, aircraft availability, and examiner scheduling all affect completion. Published timelines are planning targets.

How do prepay rates work?+

Prepay aircraft rates apply automatically once your account balance is at least $500.

“I had a great experience with Lakes Area Aviation. They helped me complete CFI training and checkride in 10 days, in mid January! I went back up a couple months later and finished CFI-I in a total of 12 days!”
Andrew Cashen
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Next rating

Multi-Engine Instructor

3–4 days

Figures are planning estimates published by Lakes Area Aviation and may change with proficiency, aircraft availability, weather, and examiner scheduling. Prepay aircraft rates require a balance of at least $500.

Your next rating

Build a training plan around your timeline.

Build my training plan