FLYING Magazine
Question: I just got my CFI ticket, airplane, single-engine land, and I am having trouble finding a job because the flight schools prefer to hire instructors who also have the CFII. How long does it take to get the CFII? What do I have to know?
Answer: Of all the instructor ratings, the CFI-Instrument (CFII) is the easiest to get in part because it is an add-on if you already hold a CFI rating. To be an instrument instructor you need to be able to teach the approaches and have an instructor level of knowledge about the IFR system and weather.
One of the requirements for a CFI is holding an instrument rating. Provided you have kept current and proficient, you should be able to move that knowledge to the right seat in a minimum amount of time. You will have to take a knowledge test, the Flight Instructor Instrument Airplane (FII), and a check ride.
Fun fact: Many flight instructor candidates train for both check rides at the same time. They take the CFI-A first, then a few days later take the CFI-Instrument ride. Please remember this for when you start training instructors.
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