Draft:Gold Seal Flight Instructor

The Gold Seal Flight Instructor is a prestigious award given by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to Certified Flight Instructors (CFIs) and Designated Pilot Examiners (DPEs) who demonstrate superior qualifications in flight instruction. Established by the FAA in 1980,:[1] the Gold Seal is awarded to CFIs who maintain a high standard of performance and instructional track record. Gold Seal Flight Instructors receive an official FAA-issued certificate featuring a distinctive gold FAA emblem.[2]

Eligibility Requirements

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To qualify for the Gold Seal Flight Instructor, an applicant must meet all of the following FAA criteria[3]

1. Certification Requirements - the applicant must meet all of the following:

  • Hold a Flight Instructor Certificate.
  • Hold a Commercial Pilot Certificate with an instrument rating or an Airline Transport Pilot Certificate with instrument privileges.
  • Hold a Ground Instructor Certificate with an Advanced or Instrument ground instructor rating.

2. Instructional Performance - the applicant must meet one of the following within the past 24 months:

  • Trained and recommended at least 10 applicants for pilot certificates or ratings, with at least 80% passing their flight test on the first attempt.
  • Conducted at least 20 practical tests as a Designated Pilot Examiner (DPE) or 20 graduation tests as a Chief Flight Instructor at an FAA-approved pilot school.
  • A combination of the above, where two practical tests count as equivalent to one trained and recommended applicant.

To be awarded the Gold Seal, the applicant shall schedule an appointment with an FAA Aviation Safety Inspector (ASI) or Air Traffic Specialist (AST), typically at an FAA Flight Standards District Office (FSDO).[2]

During the appointment, the ASI or AST conducts a comprehensive review of the applicant's qualifications and instructional records. If all requirements are met, the Gold Seal is awarded to the applicant. If found ineligible, the ASI or AST denies the issuance of the Gold Seal Award.[2]

References

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  1. ^ United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. (1980-08-01). "AC 61-65A: Certification: Pilots and Flight Instructors". Advisory Circulars (ACs): 16. doi:10.21949/1514829. Archived from the original on 2024-11-25.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration. (2023-07-25). "Section 13 Issue a Gold Seal Flight Instructor Certificate". FAA Order 8900.1. 5, Ch2, Sec13 CHG 279C – via Dynamic Regulatory System.
  3. ^ United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Aviation Administration (2024-10-30). "AC 61-65J - Certification: Pilots and Flight and Ground Instructors". Advisory Circulars (ACs): 20.