How to get your AGI

[MarineGrunt]

Over the next few years I plan on adding as many ratings and certificates as I can. I was wondering what it takes to get your AGI. I read FAR 61.213, and all I got out of that is I only need to take a written. Is that it? Do I need an endorsement? Training? etc...?

Btw - I am a CFII. I know, I havent updated my profile in a while...

 

[bobbysamd]

AGI

Take the AGI written, which isn't much different than the FIA exam. Pass it, receive your written test report, complete an 8710, and haul everything to your local FSDO. You will walk out with your AGI temporary. You have already covered the FOI aspect by virtue of your CFI.

While you're at it, my $0.02 recommendation would be to also take the IGI written. As with the AGI written, the IGI written is essentially the FII written redux. Take both the AGI and IGI written reports, complete the 8710, and FSDO will issue you your AGI-IGI temporary.

I received endorsements to take both writtens and gave endorsements to my students. As I read AC 61-65D, paragraph 6, you need a signoff for the writtens.

Hope that helps. Good luck with your writtens.

 

[MarineGrunt]

Schweet. Thanks man!

 

[oldp3guy]

Endorsement for AGI/IGI is not required unless you previously failed the exam. Endorsement is only required for 5.a. AGI/IGI is 5.b.

See AC 61-65:

5. KNOWLEDGE TESTS. The knowledge tests for the recreational pilot certificate, private pilot certificate, commercial pilot certificate, airline transport pilot (ATP) certificate, flight instructor certificate, ground instructor certificate, and ratings cover the subject areas in which aeronautical knowledge is required by part 61.

a. If required by § 61.35(a)(1), an appropriate knowledge test will only be administered to an applicant who presents acceptable evidence of completion of the required training.

b. Applicants are NOT required to show such evidence to take the ATP, CFI, certificated ground instructor (CGI), military competency, or foreign pilot instrument knowledge tests unless they are applying to retake a test after failing that test (per § 61.49).

 

[MarineGrunt]

Since I have my CFII, is it even worth doing? I was thinking that it might be another good thing to put on a resume...

 

[AutoTransfer]

CFI/CFII: Already covered

MarineGrunt

I could be wrong about this, but I think that your CFI and CFII allows you to do anything that the AGI and IGI certificate allows.

The ground instructor certificates allow you to provide ground instruction in preparation for written tests, flight reviews, etc with regards to the particular certificate. (ie. Instrument for IGI or private and commercial with AGI). Since your CFII and CFI allows you to do this already, it is my opinion that the Ground Instructor certificates would be useless to you. I have cut and pasted the privileges for Ground instructors below, straight from the horses mouth.

I have both the AGI and the IGI and I got them because I was not planning to get my Flight Instructor certificates anytime soon but I wanted to be able to teach, to a limited degree, while I continued my studies.

Good Luck
AT


§ 61.215 Ground instructor privileges.

(a) A person who holds a basic ground instructor rating is authorized to provide:

(1) Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas required for the issuance of a recreational pilot certificate, private pilot certificate, or associated ratings under this part;

(2) Ground training required for a recreational pilot and private pilot flight review; and

(3) A recommendation for a knowledge test required for the issuance of a recreational pilot certificate or private pilot certificate under this part.

(b) A person who holds an advanced ground instructor rating is authorized to provide:

(1) Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas required for the issuance of any certificate or rating under this part;

(2) Ground training required for any flight review; and

(3) A recommendation for a knowledge test required for the issuance of any certificate under this part.

(c) A person who holds an instrument ground instructor rating is authorized to provide:

(1) Ground training in the aeronautical knowledge areas required for the issuance of an instrument rating under this part;

(2) Ground training required for an instrument proficiency check; and

(3) A recommendation for a knowledge test required for the issuance of an instrument rating under this part.

(d) A person who holds a ground instructor certificate is authorized, within the limitations of the ratings on the ground instructor certificate, to endorse the logbook or other training record of a person to whom the holder has provided the training or recommendation specified in paragraphs (a) through (c) of this section.

 

[bobbysamd]

Should I get my ground instructor certificate?

Since I have my CFII, is it even worth doing? I was thinking that it might be another good thing to put on a resume...

I think the answer is a resounding YES.

AutoTransfer is correct. According to 14 CFR 61.193, a CFI that holds the appropriate ratings can teach the same subjects that a ground instructor can teach:

Sec. 61.193 - Flight instructor privileges.

A person who holds a flight instructor certificate is authorized within the limitations of that person's flight instructor certificate and ratings to give training and endorsements that are required for, and relate to:

(a) A student pilot certificate;
(b) A pilot certificate;
(c) A flight instructor certificate;
(d) A ground instructor certificate;
(e) An aircraft rating;
(f) An instrument rating;
(g) A flight review, operating privilege, or recency of experience requirement of this part;
(h) A practical test; and
(i) A knowledge test.

(emphasis added)

But wait! For you to be able to continue teaching ground school, etc. with your CFI, you have to maintain it. If you let your CFI lapse, you are SOL until you reinstate it. Compare with a ground instructor certificate, which does not expire, so you don't have that problem. I did see in AC 61-65D that a ground instructor requires a current signoff from an appropriately-qualified instructor so he/she can continue teaching. That would be the only currency requirement.

That would mean, in my case, that I, who haven't flown in nearly ten years and whose CFI expired seven years ago, could teach private, commercial and instrument ground school, and give instrument instruction in a ground trainer.

There are quite a few noncurrent and/or nonflying pilots who work at the airlines giving instruction on their ground instructor certificate. That, in and of itself, is a compelling reason, in my $0.02 opinion, to get your ground instructor certificate, notwithstanding the fact that doing so is comparatively painless, especially if you're fresh off your Commercial, FIA, Instrument and FII writtens.

All that aside, a ground instructor certificate is another, good credential that you can display on your resume. I think that's reason enough to get it. Moreover, you said that over the next few years you plan to obtain as many certificates and ratings as possible. Your Ground Instructor certificate should be one such certificate.

Hope that helps (and is persuasive ). Once more, good luck with the writtens.

 

[MarineGrunt]

Re: Should I get my ground instructor certificate?

All that aside, a ground instructor certificate is another, good credential that you can display on your resume. I think that's reason enough to get it.

Thats what I was thinking. I think it could be something that would tell a potential employer that I am dedicated to improving myself as an instructor. Hopefully it would be another little thing that could help me stand out...

 

[AutoTransfer]

I never considered the impact of letting your CFI lapse. Nice point BobbySamd. If that is a possibility, then I could see the reasoning behind adding the AGI and IGI to your instructor certificate. Oh, and about the recency requirements for ground instructors, here's what the FAR's say about it:

§ 61.217 Recent experience requirements.

The holder of a ground instructor certificate may not perform the duties of a ground instructor unless, within the preceding 12 months:

(a) The person has served for at least 3 months as a ground instructor; or

(b) The person has received an endorsement from an authorized ground or flight instructor certifying that the person has demonstrated safisfactory proficiency in the subject areas prescribed in § 61.213 (a)(3) and (a)(4), as applicable.

So there are currency issues involved with the ground instructor certificates as well. Keep that in mind when you add them.

AT

 

[hydroflyer]

The AGI is required for you to get your gold seal for your CFI if you meet the 8 of 10 passes(first attempt) in 24 months. That requirement isn't in the regs, rather it is in the Advisory Circular that describes qualifications for certificates and ratings.

 

[bobbysamd]

Credentials

All that aside, a ground instructor certificate is another, good credential that you can display on your resume. I think that's reason enough to get it.

Thats what I was thinking. I think it could be something that would tell a potential employer that I am dedicated to improving myself as an instructor. Hopefully it would be another little thing that could help me stand out...

My thoughts on pilot credentials have always been is that we really don't have much control over the total, type and quality of flight time we present. We do have control over educational quals, training quals and certificates. In that regard, we must and can put our best feet forward. Obtaining the best education and ratings possible consistent with realism is one way of doing so.

By that I mean, by way of example, getting your ATP on your own. Perhaps a type if you have time in the airplane. Seaplane and glider ratings, which show that you like to fly and can be potential conversation pieces at interviews. Perhaps rotor. A & P. AGI-IGI, as we have discussed. I do not feel that getting something like an FE certificate is realistic unless you know you have a chance of finding work at a place that requires it.

Despite opinions to the contrary, don't forget college, with a four-year degree in something, if not aviation.